To tarp or not to tarp

[CobyRupert]

Do gearboxes have vented fill plugs?
I’m a non-tarper. My rotary mower sits outdoors. Somehow the vented fill plug stopped venting or got plugged. I think sitting outdoors, un-tarped in direct sun and going through heat/cool cycles is why there was a nice trail of oil coming out of the gearbox input seal in the spring.
For me, the real problem isn’t being outdoors, non-tarped, it’s checking vent caps.

 

[WranglerX]

Tarping may be fine to try and keep weather off implement, but do it in such way there is a lot of air flow under tarp to keep condensation from collecting on implement... Condensation under tarp will only make conditions you are trying to prevent worse...

Dale

 

[rademamj1]

Tarping is not recommended. First its not really necessary, as most equipment would do better in the open air than under a tarp. Rodents commonly seek shelter under tarps and can cause serious damage to hoses, belts, electronics and wiring. I know this mower has no electronics or wiring, but it sure has lots of hydraulic hoses. Tarping is not recommended.

 

[fried1765]

Any implements with mechanical functions ( chipper, mowers, grapple etc ) are stored under my multi bay carport. This includes my tractor. Those implements without any mechanical function - LPGS, rear blade, single bottom moldboard plow, etc are each on their own pallet - out in the orchard. I do not consider faded paint as damage.

East of the Cascades, for outside open storage, you have the advantage of very little corrosion.....many of us do not have your climate.

 

[oldballs]

I think that I really enjoy my tarping when there is 4-6 inches of snow, some ice/sleet piled on the tarp.....maybe even some leaves and sticks....and not on the tractor itself.

 

[big bubba]

i tarp only the tractor. harbor freight has good prices on the extra large ones. as previously mentioned, rodents can take advantage & do damage. i leave the hood up under the tarp w/dryer sheets in engine compartment. rodents tend to shun light areas. it's a pain, but tarps protect finish, lenses, & hoses from uv
all the other implements stay out in the open

 

[DaveMueller]

Like Dale said, it's moisture that's the problem, not precipitation. Way off the ground, over gravel not grass, and lots of space under the tarp. I believe home air conditioning condensers are designed to be not covered for a lot of the same reasons.

 

[cqaigy2]

East of the Cascades, for outside open storage, you have the advantage of very little corrosion.....many of us do not have your climate.

The sun damages rubber and plastics. I keep my stuff under cover, not tarped though. I coat rust sensitive parts with grease or some other coating made for corrosion protection. When i've had to tarp, i made a simple wooden frame, like lean to and put the tarp on it.

 

[oosik]

Yes - being east of the Cascades does have its advantages. Up off the ground on a pallet - spray the cutting edge with something like Fluid Film. It's the best I can do for a few of my implements. I've tried tarping. It's a waste of money here. It does not take long for the wind to shred most any tarp. Or the sunlight( UV ) will turn a tarp to powder/dust.

 

[Jstpssng]

I would tarp it to keep precipitation off, recognizing there are times when you will want to take it off and let any moisture out. My :twocents: on leaving implements outside; everything I have including my tractor is out in the weather but not by choice. I'm not a farmer so my equipment is paid for out of my pocket, not as a business expense. Seeing what was once a nice looking piece of equipment fade and get rusted is like watching dollar bills burn, whether it affects the usability or not. I have an older single bottom plow which had always been stored inside until I bought it; the rust may not make it any less affective yet it still doesn't make me feel good about it. My BH was in my father's barn for 30 years and still looked nearly new; even though I try to keep it tarped it is already fading, as every storm seems to be preluded by high winds and the tarps eventually disintegrate when it's on the tractor it is outside.