Where do I park my tractor?

[bpence]

I believe you're on the right track because you are really thinking about what type of barn to build. 5 years ago we ended up building a pole barn, and found between family and friends we could do a lot of the work and estimate we probably save 8 or 9 thousand dollars. It took a couple of months to complete, but the saving s were worth it. The barn is 32 x 48 with an 8 foot lean-to on one side. I cemented a floor 32x 32 and put road gravel & stone in the back where I park the tractor and implements. Works out just fine. The cement gives me a good work shop area and the gravel floor gives me a place to keep all the junk, hay, straw, etc.

A couple of things to consider, whatever you decide to do. Build your barn big enough and tall enough for future uses. I only went with 10' sidewalls, and that's worked out OK, but I'd go 12' next time to get 10' clearance under the lean-to's. I wish I would have built the barn 40 x 60 with 8' wide lean-to's on each side. Lean-to's are great places to store firewood, lumber, etc. away from the weather as well a a dry place to stand and watch the rain (which we've had lots of this year in Michigan) while working in the shop. I'm probably going to add on 16 ' to the back of the barn this winter to give me a way to expand my workshop. It seems that now that the kids have cars, we need more shop area to work on stuff like that.

Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide.

Bob Pence

 

[PBMAX]

SSG, check out Mike's Tracor Page, He built his own barn,pretty big to
Its been a bit since I looked but I think it even has a loft.. And the price was around (I think he said 9K) for the whole thing...The only think I would defenitly change would be the siding...AS LOW MAITENECE as can be is the way for me....as others have said I'd rather be on a tractor than painting...I may use the vinal siding on the little horse barn I'm buiding for the little woman...So it will match the "HER" new house.../w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif...Course I plan to leave the stalls open(12x12) untill she actually gets horses.Figure I can park the new TC21D in there till then.../w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif... Here is the web address (sorry forgot how to link it) http://www.his.com/~msimpson/tracor/

HE used to have pics from start to finish I'll have to go back to see though... Mabye it will at least add to your list of do's and dont's
Good luck....

Lil' Paul

Laziness is the Father of invention.../w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[roysallis]

Here is the link to Mike's Tractor Page http://www.his.com/~msimpson/tractor/ .
Paul, Sometimes I forget and have to go to "markup in your posts" which may be found at the top of the Reply page.

 

[W5FL]

Whirlwind has a web site now. They are located in Houston. I bought their 50x90x14 ft steel building for $13,980 in 1994. Door, Foundation, Insulation, and erection are NOT included. Figure another $12,000 for all of that with concrete foundation, plumbing, etc. Steel building are much less expensive than wood and are quite servicable. Built my sheds out of 4x4 pole construction with metal roof and sides. Very inexpensive, but not as good as the prefab design. The entire barn has no columns, which is nice.

 

[SSG]

I appreciate all the input. I have seen Morton buildings and they are very well built but are the wood trusses and posts less desireable than steel? I looked at Whirlwinds' web page and didn't find any sheds/barns but if they are like Arco in Georgia, then they can build any size or shape you request. I will search the other sites when time allows. Anyone have a downside to using gravel rather than the native dirt for the tractor area other than cost?