Tractor Storage Covers

[Riddler]

Where is a good source for ordering a canvas or other soft cover for my Class III CUT? My three sided equipment barn does a good job of keeping the thing dry, but it can get rather dusty between uses (I know, more seat time is the cure, but that's not going to happen anyime soon). My dealer (blue) tells me that NH does not offer one, which sort of surprises me. Given the storage conditions that many tractor owners face, I would have thought that covers would be in reasonable demand. Thanks.

 

[Soundguy]

I've come to three conclusions about tarping a tractor. 1, it is a great place for animals and insects to live. 2, When the wind blows, the material abraids the paint and finish. 3, I've seen that a cover tends to increases contact with condensation, as the inside of the cover is a great place for condensation to build up. I've noticed this with the high dollar canvas covers, as well as cheapy tarps. I pretty much either use a shed or lean-to, or a tube frame with tarp cover. Anything that keeps it out of the sun and rain directly.

A good quality wax job will make dust blow off pretty easilly.

I used to use a flannel storm cover for my antique fords.. I found that it also has a tendancy to find every grease fitting and greased location. Just my opinions.. Your milage may vary.. especially depending on the climate/region you live in.

Soundguy

 

[Riddler]

All good points Soundguy. I was thinking that something that ties to the ROPS might leave plenty of clearance underneath to minimize or eliminate any condensation or friction issues. Also, I plan to use the cover while the tractor is in an enclosure, which avoids any wind issue.

When I have stored cars, covering them has been such a work saver. On those occasions when I do a clean up and polish on the new machine, it would sure be nice to pull the cover off it weeks later and have it look as good as when I left it, rather than nearly as dirty (from dust) as when I last worked it. For those of us that have to sometimes wait weeks between meaningful seat time, a smartly designed cover would be really convenient.

 

[Soundguy]

A car cover, inside a garage.. now that actually sounds like it would be ok.. no wind.. not much wildlife.. condensation probably not an issue either.

Soundguy

 

[Riddler]

Now, if I can only find a company that makes them for tractors . . . .

 

[PineRidge]

If you are really serious and want one that fits like a glove I would imagine most any company that makes custom canvas covers for boats might oblige you.

 

[greg_g]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( A car cover, inside a garage.. )</font>
California. Wow.....
The good ol' boys here in Kentucky would just take some trashbags and duct tape - and throw up a 4th wall on that shed.

//greg//

 

[F100Panel]

I bought a car cover made to fit my Caravan... Fits pretty good on the tractor but true it does find all the grease points.... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[kensfarm]

When it's all covered w/ mud.. why worry about the dust! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

TSC has all types of tarps.. canvas.. poly.. etc.

 

[Riddler]

I see I'm taking a little heat on this one. Honestly, I do use the machine once in awhile. Perhaps a few closet neat niks will come to my rescue on this thread??!!

 

[kensfarm]

You know I was just pulling your leg.. when I first moved to the farm I did my best to keep the dust off of my Firebird RamAir.. tried car covers.. but a droughty summer.. gravel driveway.. and farm activity.. the dust won.

 

[PBinWA]

I recently bought a car cover for my tractor (Mahindra 2615). (It's new and I want to keep it as close to that way until I can build a real barn) I bought a car cover for a Dodge Caravan and it fits pretty well. It does take a beating in the wind though. There are too many sharp edges on a tractor that wear through the tarp when it is flapping.

Probably wasted money. I 'm trying to find a way to minimize the wind flapping but I suspect that this will just require the barn to be built.

If you don't have to deal with wind then a car cover should work fine. I got mine from JC Whitney and it is breathable so the condensation isn't too bad. I put some rodent bait under the tarp to address the pest problem.

PB

 

[PineRidge]

BP a good friend of mine takes old milk jugs and fills them with play sand, he then attached them to his tarp with heavy string at the grommet points. It keeps the tarp in place and the added weight minimizes flapping in the wind. Maybe this will help your dilemma?

 

[Riddler]

PB, your comment about the Caravan cover reminded me that I have a cover stored away somewhere for one of those very old "bug eye" VW vans (no, I am not a hippy from the '60s). That might actually work. If it does, I am going to update this thread with long stories of how this dust phobic city boy found an excellent way to keep the blue beast sparkling between weekend work outs!!!

 

[Soundguy]

So.. are we talking like a vw micro bus?

I had an old vw minivan.. or whatever they were calle dthen.. it was 'pea' green... perhaps chartruse..

Soundguy

 

[jim_wilson]

I thought about buying a car type cover for my BX23 to keep it protected over the winter since I didn't get to building the garage this summer. I know that the breathable type Evolution fabric covers actually work very well because I have used them on cars I stored outside before thru New England winters and the car was as good in the spring as when I put it away in the fall. The problem with tractors and any sort of cover is that there are too many sharp edges to cut the cover up to have it work without destroying the cover. Plus you have greasy areas and such that will grunge up the cover no matter how hard you try. I ended up buying one of the steel tube/canvas cover type temporary garages from CoverIt. Ended up costing just short of $500 but it will have enough space inside to put the tractor and all the implements plus some other random junk. Plus I will be able to work in it if I have to which the cover would not have let me do. I figure it is money well spent in the long run on wear and tear prevention on the tractor plus it is just more convenient. Check out http://www.coverit.com/