Covering Tractor Outside

[TractorLarry]

As you guys have seen, my 1864 is an 11 year old "survivor" with only 134 hours on it and little, if any, rust, wear or tear on it. It's about 95% showroom condition.

It is like that because after it was bought in '95, it was only used 2 years and then stored in a temperature/climate controlled garage until last month when it was given to me and I re-animated it.

The problem is I don't have that same garage, and have no choice but to park it on a concrete slab in the back yard, or in the driveway.

I purchased a tractor cover at sears for $60. While I think it's astonishingly overpriced, it does appear to be a nice cover. It fits the tractor perfectly, including the deck and wheels, and has ventilation ports at the back. It feels like parachute material and is supposed to be water tight.

Are there any other steps I should take to keep it as new as possible?

I do wash it with a car wash that has Carnuba Wax built into it. I still use hand wax on the painted panels, but I figure the carnuba will get down into the nooks and crannies and help a bit.

I wish I had a garage for it but that's where my car goes

I have a shed in the back, about 10 X 10, but the door is only 30" wide. Not nearly wide enough to fit the tractor in.

I thought of one of those inexpensive (relatively) plastic sheds, but I've heard they aren't that great.

I would also like to get some sort of rust inhibitor to add to the wash/rinse water. Like the car washes use. Anyone aware of such material I can buy?

-Larry

 

[emt812]

I have one of the plastic sheds, works ok if you put it behind a structure to serve as a wind break. You can also silicone the joints where it is put together for a better water seal. Kept my LT in one until I built a 10 x 16 shed. Now just use it for gas grill and lawn and garden tools for wife to use around her flower beds.

 

[hz293]

If you've got the room, one of the 10 x 20 portable vinyl tent like garages from Costco are cheap and will give you plenty of storage for anything. The best way to keep them from blowing over is to go to Lowes or anyone who has the heavy duty spiral dog tie outs. Put one in each corner, tie the portable to it with line or cable and it will last a long time. What the heck, it only costs $168 from Costco vs $400 or so from sellers on the net and it's pinned together so it won't come apart.

Harris

 

[MrJimi]

I really hate to tell you this but, any covering on a painted surface in the wind will wear the paint off the edges, The building is the best way
Jim

 

[jeewhiz]

Please think about shed! Mice haven! They luv nesting under the shrouds!Moth balls may help !But shel sme'll like my grama!HeHE! Even in a good tight shed they would find a way in! GOOOOOD LUCKKKKK!

 

[Fordlords]

I bought a 10X12' plastic shed by Rubbermaid last year that is butted up against the back of my garage. I bolted it down to a treated plywood and 2x4 platform that I imbedded into the ground after I removed the sod. The total cost of this job was about $1200, (shed, wood, etc) and I think is is awesome. It's weather tight, it will never wear out or need painting, mice have no interest in knawing on it, and has big double doors and skylights. Don't let the plastic fool you- this thing is STRONG, and it is nice looking. I store the Craftsman tractor and other power items that only get used lightly like the pressure washer and tiller in it. I'll post some pix to my gallery when I get a chance, it was a worthy investment. I'm so fussy I even put nylon dust covers over everything even stored inside LOL!

-Fordlords-

 

[bermuda_ken]

If you have to use the "blue tarp roofed shed" put a soft blanket or cloth over the tractor first. Then add your tarp. This will keep the tarp from scratching/rubbing the paint/finish on the tractor....

 

[TractorLarry]

Sounds like a good idea. Thanks!

I wish I could put in a shed, but the one's I've found that are small enough to fit where I can put it (about a 7X7) don't have door openings big enough.

Need 64" or so. Biggest so far has been 60".

**** 48" deck

I wish someone made a specialized "Tractor Cubby".

It would look something like an oversized Dog Carrier, and the top would open up and back, and the front would drop down and act as a ramp. You would open it up, drive the tractor in, get out, and then raise up the back door/ramp, then put the top down and latch.

The whole thing could be done in a 6ft wide by 7ft long by 3ft high package.

No need for a carry handle though. Tractor is 1000 pounds wet

-Larry

If you have to use the "blue tarp roofed shed" put a soft blanket or cloth over the tractor first. Then add your tarp. This will keep the tarp from scratching/rubbing the paint/finish on the tractor....

 

[TractorLarry]

How well do these hold up to Snow?

-Larry

If you've got the room, one of the 10 x 20 portable vinyl tent like garages from Costco are cheap and will give you plenty of storage for anything. The best way to keep them from blowing over is to go to Lowes or anyone who has the heavy duty spiral dog tie outs. Put one in each corner, tie the portable to it with line or cable and it will last a long time. What the heck, it only costs $168 from Costco vs $400 or so from sellers on the net and it's pinned together so it won't come apart.

Harris

 

[TractorLarry]

Ok, this is almost exactly what I was thinking of. Just bigger.

Lowe's Home

Sounds to me like there would be a market for such a thing!

This is almost perfect, but it's a half-foot too narrow

Lowe's Home

Or maybe this would do? The price is right!

Outdoor > Storage Sheds > Portable Sheds > > Jewett Cameron > Lawn Storage Sheds > JEC IS 11399 HP, JECIS11399HP


-Larry

Sounds like a good idea. Thanks!

I wish I could put in a shed, but the one's I've found that are small enough to fit where I can put it (about a 7X7) don't have door openings big enough.

Need 64" or so. Biggest so far has been 60".

**** 48" deck

I wish someone made a specialized "Tractor Cubby".

It would look something like an oversized Dog Carrier, and the top would open up and back, and the front would drop down and act as a ramp. You would open it up, drive the tractor in, get out, and then raise up the back door/ramp, then put the top down and latch.

The whole thing could be done in a 6ft wide by 7ft long by 3ft high package.

No need for a carry handle though. Tractor is 1000 pounds wet

-Larry

 

[MrWiggles2]

TL- Fordlords is south of Buffalo, I'm just a hair north, so we know snow. The Rubbermaids hold up great to pretty much anything you throw at it.

I'm considering putting up a shed, I have to see what my restrictions are, but I may do it this spring.

 

[TractorLarry]

Yeah, it does snow there

When I was in the Navy, I spent 6 months (Jan through June) in 1986 at General Electrics Farrell Road Plant going to a factory school.

You haven't seen snow until you've seen Lake-Effect snow !

-Larry

TL- Fordlords is south of Buffalo, I'm just a hair north, so we know snow. The Rubbermaids hold up great to pretty much anything you throw at it.

I'm considering putting up a shed, I have to see what my restrictions are, but I may do it this spring.

 

[LBrown59]

Sounds like a good idea. Thanks!

I wish I could put in a shed, but the one's I've found that are small enough to fit where I can put it (about a 7X7) don't have door openings big enough.

Need 64" or so. Biggest so far has been 60".

**** 48" deck

I wish someone made a specialized "Tractor Cubby".

It would look something like an oversized Dog Carrier, and the top would open up and back, and the front would drop down and act as a ramp. You would open it up, drive the tractor in, get out, and then raise up the back door/ramp, then put the top down and latch.

The whole thing could be done in a 6ft wide by 7ft long by 3ft high package.

No need for a carry handle though. Tractor is 1000 pounds wet

-Larry

Your 40 years to to late on this.
In 1966 I built exactly what you just described to keep my new 1966 Bolens Tractor in.

 

[Dusty]

No matter what you use for a shelter, put down a 6 mil plastic sheet to keep the moisture from coming up from the ground.
Dusty

PS.... LB.. do you still have that 1966 Bolens? What model is it?

 

[LBrown59]

No matter what you use for a shelter, put down a 6 mil plastic sheet to keep the moisture from coming up from the ground.
Dusty

PS.... LB.. do you still have that 1966 Bolens? What model is it?

Yes I do.It has a front blade that i leave on it all of the time.It's an 850 model.
I also have a 1967 850 just like it I bought in june of 2005 It has a rear tiller I leave on it all the time.

 

[Dusty]

Yes I do.It has a front blade that i leave on it all of the time.It's an 850 model.
I also have a 1967 850 just like it I bought in june of 2005 It has a rear tiller I leave on it all the time.

I can see leaving a blade on all the time, but why the tiller? How often do you need to use the tiller? I have a HT23 with power steering, oil cooler, tiller, 54" blade, 54" mower deck, and 3 point hitch, that hasn't seen the light of day in 5 years. The Kubota is all that I need. Probably should just sell the Bolens and get it out of the barn. I sold the cab and 48" snowblower last winter.

 

[LBrown59]

I can see leaving a blade on all the time, but why the tiller? How often do you need to use the tiller? I have a HT23 with power steering, oil cooler, tiller, 54" blade, 54" mower deck, and 3 point hitch, that hasn't seen the light of day in 5 years. The Kubota is all that I need. Probably should just sell the Bolens and get it out of the barn. I sold the cab and 48" snowblower last winter.

How often do you need to use the tiller?
Probably should just sell the Bolens
>>> >>>
Very often
>>>> >>>>
What model is your Bolens?

 

[Dusty]

How often do you need to use the tiller?
Probably should just sell the Bolens
>>> >>>
Very often
>>>> >>>>
What model is your Bolens?

I can see leaving a blade on all the time, but why the tiller? How often do you need to use the tiller? I have a HT23 with power steering, oil cooler, tiller, 54" blade, 54" mower deck, and 3 point hitch, that hasn't seen the light of day in 5 years. The Kubota is all that I need. Probably should just sell the Bolens and get it out of the barn. I sold the cab and 48" snowblower last winter.

Answered before you asked..