Bush hog parked over moist dirt"

[AlbertC]

I have a lean 2 on the side of my barn where I park my tractor and bush hog. The dirt under the tractor and hog is frequently wet as a result of rain water causing the dirt to absorb water.

I would like to know if this is more likely for my hog to rust out since it is usually parked over this wet area?
If this is something I should be concerned with will putting gravel over the area help solve the problem?

Thanks

 

[oosik]

The easiest solution - cut several 24" lengths of 4"x4" posts. When you drive under the lean-to - raise the bush hog as high as possible. Set a stack of chunks under each side of the bush hog. Now lower the unit to this new elevated position. This will keep the underside elevated above the damp soil and allow breezes to prevent condensation under the bush hog. Just remember to remove the chunks if you will be backing out in that direction.

 

[WranglerX]

Get RR tie, cut in half, place of back part of shed, back into shed, park Brush hog on them and you will have a 8-9 inch air gap for air to flow through ....

Dale

 

[Tractorable]

Short answer, yes, it’ll rust faster if parked over damp ground or vegetation. Do as the others said to get more ventilation under there. Adding gravel won’t block the moisture, you’d need concrete or asphalt to do that

 

[chim]

I have zero proof, but firmly believe that I've has more rust on vehicles parked on stone or dirt. Those parked on blacktop didn't have nearly as much trouble. At work we've had trucks that we seldom use parked on crushed stone. They've always had premature body / frame rust, brake lines that rusted through, etc. Simple air space between the ground and the equipment doesn't seem to help. Most of the trucks at work are high enough to crawl under.

I never bought that "inferior imported steel" line. That's what many harped about back in the 70's when my 1975 K5 Blazer fenders rusted through above the wheels in less than 3 years. When I repaired them I found there was a very narrow space between the inner and outer fenders that trapped dust and moisture. The only rust protection was a thin coat of flat black paint on the inside. The finest steel in the world wouldn't have lasted long.

 

[bkrgi]

Toss some 6mil plastic (vapor barrier) down and park the implement on that.
I use those fabric temp shelters to store stuff under and lay down the 6mil to keep moisture from the ground out...makes a HUGE dif
Is amazing how much moisture can condensate under the plastic vapor barrier

 

[coolbrze]

Leave/lower the cutter on 4x4s. I had a 5' Bush Hog rotary cutter for over 15 years that sat on bare ground & it never rusted...

 

[Jstpssng]

Do some grade work so that the water drains away from the building. Even if you put the mower up on blocks you still will have the same moisture problems.

 

[atsah]

My tractorport was wet, I dug it down three feet (because of frost) Laid fabric and graveled it, never is wet anymore.. Yes it will rust things quickly, moisture is not kind to metal of any kind..

 

[CMV]

I put everything on sections of 4x4 too. Not only keeps it off the ground, but if you need to "nudge" it a little to line up for hookup, pretty easy if it's up on the wood vs on the ground.