Under cover (shed / barn / garage) vs tarp - any thoughts

[Karondm]

As a new ( to me) Massey SCUT owner, I wonder if anyone has any thoughts and especially experience comparing storage ??
Outdoors without cover is Certainly not going to happen.

Thanks to all.

 

[jeff9366]

In long term, outside storage, rodents are a danger to your tractor's wiring. Replacing a wiring harness is expensive in material and in time. Condensation in the fuel is another issue. Inside stored tractors command higher resale prices than outside stored tractors for good reason.

Kubota tractor is stored in my humidity-controlled garage, next to my Kubota RTV500 utility vehicle. ((When I owned a PTO powered chipper it was always garage stored too.))

The Ford Fusion and Subaru Forester live in the driveway.

I store implements under old style, impregnated, 18 ounce canvas tarps which I buy on eBay from Chicago Canvas. Heavy weight canvas tarpaulins do not require bungee cords to remain in place, even during hurricanes. (( I am 25 miles inland from the Gulf Coast. )) Canvas tarps keep implements dry and sap free, while allowing water vapor to evaporate. Unfortunately the tarps deteriorate in humid Florida climate. I have to replace tarps on a four year cycle.

 

[Wobblin-Goblin]

Over the years, we've had tractors and equipment in every conceivable environment: garage, barn, overhang roof, tarp, open to the elements.

Obviously, garaged is best (with a barn being pretty close to that). At a minimum, we try to keep our tractors under a roof so rain, snow, and direct sunlight are kept off of them.

 

[tmajor]

My experience, leads me toward shed. Last winter, after restoring the Ford NAA, I put it in the barn. When I visited it, it was hanging with moisture. So, I moved it to the shed, so some air could get to it. ??

 

[cat fever]

I'm a covered storage guy.

 

[irvingj]

When I built my garage, I had an extension on the pad added so I could make a lean-to on the side. Eventually threw up some "temporary" plywood and then some plastic above that. Makes for a good spot for the tractor, and keeps it ready to fire up and begin immediately with the snowblower in the winter. (Also access to electrical outlet for block heater & transmission heater when necessary.)

Had a problem with mice once or twice, but check it often and throw in a Bounce dryer sheet periodically. Covered outdoor storage works well for me.

 

[oosik]

I've always kept my tractors in a carport. Its obviously not heated but it keeps the weather and sun off the tractor. Sunshine( UV ) is death to tires.

Not all are as fortunate as Cat fever. That barn/storage bldg looks big enough to have its own zip code.

Mice - UGG - I've tried almost everything - dryer sheets, moth balls, peppermint oil & all form of poisons. I've found the very best, long term, solution to be well cared for barn cats. They will kill anything they can catch - mice, pocket gophers, quail, dickey birds, snakes and will eat some of this stuff. The only problem with cats is - owls, hawks & coyotes. I'm right now working on getting a sack full of cats from a guy that hunts here. My last cat went by the wayside a couple years ago.

 

[Rocky J]

If you do not have the high winds like the Midwest has you might consider a Hoop House until you can do better. The way I got permission and funding from my wife for my tractor dog house was to let her catch me measuring the patio door and the tractor and then said I just got a idea. Building a Hoop House - YouTube

 

[oosik]

Rocky - - that's just plain mean - but very imaginative. I use to bring the Harley in the house until I built the "Harley house". Its a built-on-site shed by Tuff Shed.

 

[edgarrian]

3 car garage here. Keep mine in the garage. We have a pole barn but i store implements in that and other odds and ends. It really comes down to budget. Something is better than nothing. If i didn't have a pole barn or my garage. i would NOT use tarps as I would think that would be very inviting to rodents. Cheap carport or build a small shed yourself. If i didn't have a 3 car garage then i would be parking it in my pole barn but i would have plenty of traps for critters.

 

[2ndhalf]

Welcome and nice tractor (I have essentially the same tractor and love it). For the size of your tractor I would consider a local shed builder that will just drop a shed on your property the size that you need. Custom Barns and Modular Buildings | Garden Sheds | Certified Homes

Another option go get a shed kit from Menards or a local lumber company and have them drop you a kit and have a couple buddies come over and build it over a weekend. Hopefully buddies who are handy.

I just would not want to tarp a nice tractor up in VT where you will likely get a ton of snow and winter elements.

 

[JWR]

As a new ( to me) Massey SCUT owner, I wonder if anyone has any thoughts and especially experience comparing storage ??
Outdoors without cover is Certainly not going to happen.

Thanks to all.

It all boils down to money and the space you have available. If you can afford it and have the space -- no brainer ! Build a shed. You can work on it in a shed while working on it under a tarp is ...not going to happen. The goodies you buy to go with it can go in the same shed. The Vermont weather would make it even less of a question. If you have the space "pole barns" are relatively inexpensive, do the job really well and will outlast you.

 

[mguitas]

My tractor in garage also.

 

[MAN IN BLACK]

A good economical solution for you would be a used sea going container.
Like a trailer van...but without the wheels.
They come in 40' and 20' length, 8' wide x 8' tall, are cheap, sun, wind and rain tight, and you can lock the doors.
Worked great for me for nearly 10 years, before I had the budget to built a good size storage shed.

 

[RoyJackson]

I'm also in Vermont...a bit north of Sharon, BTW.
Most tractors set outside for extended periods of time...I reckon some do for their entire "lives" with no problems other than paint weathering.
That said, all of my tractors (I'm on my 4th Deere) have been in an attached garage except for my current machine (cabbed 4520) since it's too tall for the garage.
This is something I'm considering:
12'Wx2'Lx9'H Barn Style Portable Garage

 

[murphy1244]

Another vender that James used was Shelterlogic at ShelterLogic Corp. | Shade, Shelter, and Storage

 

[Karondm]

I should clarify: I am parking my SCUT (MF GC2300) in my barn.
I am interested in your thoughts.
My question is "where / Joe do you park / store your tractor and why?"

Many thanks to all who are sharing their thoughts on this subject.

 

[rjmack]

3 car garage here. Keep mine in the garage. We have a pole barn but i store implements in that and other odds and ends. It really comes down to budget. Something is better than nothing. If i didn't have a pole barn or my garage. i would NOT use tarps as I would think that would be very inviting to rodents. Cheap carport or build a small shed yourself. If i didn't have a 3 car garage then i would be parking it in my pole barn but i would have plenty of traps for critters.

X2.

I have had rodent problems no end using tarps. if I didn't have a building, I would consider a lean-to off an existing building, or even a sheet of plywood or two on legs to keep it out of the sun. if it must be outside, the easier it is for predators etc to get at the mice and rats, the better.

 

[2ndhalf]

I should clarify: I am parking my SCUT (MF GC2300) in my barn.
I am interested in your thoughts.
My question is "where / Joe do you park / store your tractor and why?"

Many thanks to all who are sharing their thoughts on this subject.

Then I'm not sure why the question unless it is that you are thinking of not parking it in a barn.... if it were mine I'd keep parking it in the barn.

 

[Karondm]

Good point.
The wife wants it parked in the barn.
I would prefer to park it in the garage, but there's not enough room in there for the tractor as well as the generator, her car and mine.
Thinking about a portable "carport" for the tractor and the generator, but I think it will be a hard sell.
That would make for easier access for both. Since we've already had a taste of snow and dark this year, I'm thinking about that more favorably.
But then, as I think about it more, a small shed that could be a playhouse for the grand-kid in the warm weather, --- that might fly!