Storing implements

CMV · Dec 8, 2017

At my property I have a couple options for storing things not in use, but none of them wonderful. I don't have a lot now, but guess the collection will grow over time. 5' bush hog, 5' box blade, ballast box, pallet forks, and the tractor itself. No barn or large garage-type building. No building at all really other than an 8x8 shed and a 40' shipping container. The tractor, generator, compressor, tools, - anything I don't want growing legs and walking off - goes in the shipping container. Plenty of room, but the 8' width makes storing something large like a bush hog a pain since nothing can get past anything else.

This time of year I won't be using the bush hog so no big deal to load it toward the front of the container and not worry about it until spring. But once it's time to start using it every other week, I wouldn't want to have to unload a bunch of stuff just to get to it. Same for anything else really.

Was thinking a lean-to roof coming off the container would go a long way toward keeping stuff out of the sun and somewhat dry. Or maybe a smaller AL carport set right alongside it. I don't see things that large/heavy walking off so am not concerned about securing them as much as preserving them. I don't expect this stuff to look brand new for years to come, but I don't want it rusting away or sun damaged because I just left it on the ground uncovered. Would sitting stuff on blocks or a pallet and under a lean-to roof or open carport be sufficient? One side along the container would be a 'wall' and could also easily enclose the ends to make a 3-sided type structure if necessary.

Ideally, if I could cut in a large door on the side of the container, that would let everything go into it and have easy access. But I can't weld (no equipment nor the knowledge) and seems like it would be a chore to cut a big opening, frame that up, and be left with a water tight and secure door.

For those of you without a large garage/barn/fully enclosed building, what do you do with your attachments when not in use?

M5farms · Dec 8, 2017

equipment is built to handle the elements. I do put my tractors under the shed but everything else sits outside. its not gonna hurt anything.

Z-Michigan · Dec 8, 2017

If you have no better option, resting on a pallet or two away from stuff dripping on it (bird poop, etc.) is the way to go. But paint fades and being outside will accelerate rust. A pallet is better than no pallet though, at least it's a little off the ground and gets to dry out.

Be careful about losing chain harrows and anything similar. It doesn't take much grass growth for them to disappear.

747driver · Dec 8, 2017

None of my equipment is stored under cover. I use concrete blocks to get the bush hog off the ground. Everything is tarped when not using it. It really makes a difference. Plan on building a new garage and barn next summer. Equipment is made to handle the elements but i keep the important parts of the equipment tarped.

Code54 · Dec 8, 2017

Stuff with grease and PTO's get placed on 6x6's and a trap dropped over it (not tight so that air can easily circulate)
Stuff like my 7' blade, rake, landplane just sits out with no ill effects. The woodchippers, backhoe goes in a shed I have spare room in.

rustyshakelford · Dec 8, 2017

I understand your situation. I stored my old tractor in a conex also and had a shelter logic from tractor supply to store the shredder and boxblade in. I will not store my stuff outside in the elements. The sun destroys everything and I don稚 live by the all to common belief that it痴 meant to live outside. It doesn稚 take much to even have a crude cover built and it値l help the equipment look much better and more importantly last longer.

My batwing is close to 15k, boxblade 4K, and 8 shredder was 6k I think. Just those three impliments are 25k. I keep them inside my shop. After use they get blown off. Atleast twice a year I値l pressure wash and detail everything. I refuse to leave them dirty and aid in them rusting out and looking like crap. I知 not one to wax everything but I have a decent investment in equipment and impliments and want to keep them nice. The sun doesn稚 help.

Brett

Oldpath05 · Dec 8, 2017

It's always been if you buy something, gotta build something, that's why when you see old farm house's, there's always an old barn that use to be used for keeping horses in with the prized plow, axes, crosscut saw, scythe, hay,,,,,,,,,,,,

travlitt · Dec 8, 2017

CMV said:
At my property I have a couple options for storing things not in use, but none of them wonderful. I don't have a lot now, but guess the collection will grow over time. 5' bush hog, 5' box blade, ballast box, pallet forks, and the tractor itself. No barn or large garage-type building. No building at all really other than an 8x8 shed and a 40' shipping container. The tractor, generator, compressor, tools, - anything I don't want growing legs and walking off - goes in the shipping container. Plenty of room, but the 8' width makes storing something large like a bush hog a pain since nothing can get past anything else.

This time of year I won't be using the bush hog so no big deal to load it toward the front of the container and not worry about it until spring. But once it's time to start using it every other week, I wouldn't want to have to unload a bunch of stuff just to get to it. Same for anything else really.

Was thinking a lean-to roof coming off the container would go a long way toward keeping stuff out of the sun and somewhat dry. Or maybe a smaller AL carport set right alongside it. I don't see things that large/heavy walking off so am not concerned about securing them as much as preserving them. I don't expect this stuff to look brand new for years to come, but I don't want it rusting away or sun damaged because I just left it on the ground uncovered. Would sitting stuff on blocks or a pallet and under a lean-to roof or open carport be sufficient? One side along the container would be a 'wall' and could also easily enclose the ends to make a 3-sided type structure if necessary.

Ideally, if I could cut in a large door on the side of the container, that would let everything go into it and have easy access. But I can't weld (no equipment nor the knowledge) and seems like it would be a chore to cut a big opening, frame that up, and be left with a water tight and secure door.

For those of you without a large garage/barn/fully enclosed building, what do you do with your attachments when not in use?

This is what I did with my shipping container.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/387740-equipment-shed.html

bdog · Dec 8, 2017

All my machines, tractor, skid steer, backhoe are inside or under shelter but my implements sit outside.

I have close to 20 implements between things for the skid steer and those for the tractor. I would like to build a shelter for them someday but a lot of them are 10-14’ wide and it would be a large costly structure.