Tractor Cover

[rus_geek]

I've had a harbor freight tarp garage for my tractor for about 18 months now. It is anchored with screw-in tent anchors about 18" deep or it would have blown away in the first day. Most recently we had about 48 hours of 30+ mph wind (and 5" of rain to boot) and one end of the garage blew out. I'd rather have that happen than have the whole thing fold up. Turns out the bungees that hold the tarps to the frame are rotten. I'll replace those with something more UV and weather resistant.

The top of the garage has enough slope to shed all but the wettest snows. I think I only had to knock the snow off once last winter. It had about eight inches of wet stuff on top and no damage to the tarp or frame.

All-in-all I can't complain for the $200 it cost me.

-rus-

 

[robarosa]

Get a canvas tarp and bungee cords large enough to cover at least 3/4 on the sides. For your tractor get a 12x18 or 12x20.. Keep moth balls inside as rats will probably find the cover condo nice this winter.

 

[sandman2234]

A tarp laid on a tractor also holds moisture which will cause other problems such as rust and maybe corrosion of electrical connections and other non protected surfaces. Make sure to give it some breathing room under the tarp.
David from jax

 

[Soundguy]

I agree. I got rid of any tarp shelters I had a while back.

wind problems galore.. and when they flap.. paint gets rubbed. if you simply lay the trap on the tractor.. it traps moisture... not good either.

soundguy

Unless you strap a tarp down tightly with bungee cords, the wind will make it flap and it will rub the paint off on some corners and edges of the sheetmetal.

 

[Jay4200]

I got a tent-garage thing at Cosco for $189. It was pretty nice - had 4 walls, windows, and a ridge vent. It was made from surprisingly heavy material and held up for 2 years. The key was to go out the morning after it snowed and knock the snow off of the roof - just had to give it a whack from the inside with a broom and it would slide off. Unfortunately, one morning after a snowfall, I went out and walked by the enclosure, but completely forgot to knock the snow off. Later that day, I looked out the window and something just didn't look right...

JayC

(note the chunk of frozen dirt stuck to my backhoe bucket - stuck 'till spring)

 

[robarosa]

Use a canvas tarp. They breath.

 

[Chilly807]

Mine lives in my garage, but if it didn't I'd be building an open frame building with a steel roof, like a run-in shelter for horses. You're probably looking at $1000-1500 by the time it's done. It keeps the sun off in summer, and can tarp in the sides if you want to in winter.

Not a cheap temporary solution, I know, but the tractor isn't a cheap solution either.

Sean

 

[clemsonfor]

I have 2 of those $90 shelter logic 10x 20 shelters. The first was for my boat the second never got used for the second boat. I had the one up for 6 months to a year and it still looks like it did when i put it up, of couse i have had it taken down for 2 years and the poles laying in the yard, cause my house now has a shed for them. It had heavy wind but where it was had tree lines that broke the wind up so it was not as bad, but still prolly 40 mph winds while it was up.

I built a shed this last winter for my wood, its 16 ft long and 10ft deep, open sides and it cost me just about $200 in all, because i have the tin given to me and some wood was recyled as well. Its for firewood and a few implements and and maybe a riding mower so its well occupied now.

 

[wedge40]

I had one of the shelter logics from a local box store. Put it up, fist time we had some wind found I needed to anchor it down. Did that. Then while I was on travel for work we got about 12" of wet heavy snow. I learned it doesn't take much of a snow load to destroy them. I think if you stay on top of the snow loads they would be a nice temp storage, but for me not a good solution.

Wedge

 

[clemsonfor]

Dont know if i mentioned it, but its a pretty safe bet that we wont get snow and when we do you pretty well know it a head of time.

That said my shed i built got tested with about 6"s of wet snow this winter in the coldest snap and larges snowfall we prolly have received in 10 + years. If held no problem even though i nailed togeather some rafters.