To tarp or not to tarp

[Popgadget]

I’m out of inside or even covered storage space, so I’ve got to leave my Progressive TD65 15-1/2 foot mower outside for the winter. The side decks fold up neatly, I can pull the front of the PTO input shaft off and store it inside to keep the quick coupler in good shape.
I really want to get a tarp to cover it all, but I wonder if I will be trapping moisture under it.
Seems like it would be better off covered up and shielded from the weather, what do you guys think?

I’m in southeast PA, we get snow, rain and freezing rain for winter weather.

 

[Captain Dirty]

Much agricultural equipment is stored outside with no serious harm, but then some on this forum consider oxidized paint to be serious harm. If you do tarp it, install the tarp neatly, i.e. so it doesn't billow or flap in the wind. Also leave space, at least a foot or so, around the bottom so air can circulate and hopefully evaporate condensation.

 

[BrkMstr]

In freezing temperatures you are not really fighting moisture as long as it was covered when it was completely dry, I cover a couple of implements each winter, quality HD Tarps, in the spring they uncover just the way I covered them, clean without any rust - I normally put a few sheets of bounce with them to keep a the mice / squirrels away. I also spray WD40 on any bare metal - make sure I grease all fittings, oil all the wheels etc. I put 4X4's under them and store on top of crushed stone. Never had any issues doing that...... To me it's no different than storing inside a un-heated shed...

 

[Industrial Toys]

Much farm equipment ran fine with no paint on it any more. As long as it was greased.

So it get's down to cosmetics and the greatest harm is from the sun, followed by vegetable matter, like leaves and needles. So, I would say YES to a tarp.

 

[John0829]

I tarp any of my equipment that is left outside simply to shed any rain water since everyone seems to have place that water pools up. I do leave plenty of room for air to circulate under the edge of the tarp and have never had any problems with moisture.

 

[Aquamoose]

Just elevate what you plan to cover to allow airflow underneath and don’t let anything touch the ground, especially when wet. Tarp snugly to prevent any chance of puddling on the tarp. Like others say, leave the edges open for airflow.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Probably first thing I learned about country living. Keep stuff off the ground. Bear in mind, stuff sinks into the ground over time, so allow for that. Keep it high and dry!

 

[oosik]

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.

 

[mikester]

You just need to decide which implement you like the least and sacrifice it to the outdoor gods of rust, paint and rubber degrade, moisture accumulation, and critterdome. Tarping helps give the critter population a nice place to live.

 

[oldballs]

I'm a tarper.......My tiller and chipper and mowing decks sit up on skids that sit on concrete blocks/bricks/cap stones etc.......that sit on gravel are tarped. Attachments like plow, pine needle rake, box and rear blade sit on similar skids, but without a tarp. Without further details, following some of the above ideas......it works for me....even my Kubotas and Case have done well under these circumstances.....when not stored in my garage or ShelterLogic.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[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.