Canopy Inside or outside?

[azop]

What are fellow Bobcat owners doing with their tractors? I don't have a shed or out building for the tractor so I've been leaving it outside and covering the seat to the front of the engine with a tarp but don't want things to rust.

Am I being too ****? Should I go with it-is-a-tractor-leave-it-outside-you-fool.

 

[beenthere]

Build a shed.
I won't leave my CUT outside. So I be more **** than you.

 

[nike]

They sell tent type garages maybe one of those....

 

[DK35vince]

I never leave my tractors outside.
Before I had a shed I kept my tractor under a tarp.

 

[NOTV8]

I put my tractor and the implements inside the garage (3 bays) and the cars outside...

 

[SSdoxie]

Funny you should mention this. For past 12 years I had an old Kubota that paint was all fadded out & peeling when I got from setting outside. I didn't have a shed so just let sit out as well. Lat month when I got my new Bobcat, there was no way this tractor was setting outside so I clean out a stall in the barn to park it in. Yesterday I went to get it jumped up on the sit and there were 2 very large bird s**t splatters on the dash. Is it better to let sun and rain work on it or let birds have at it? :laughing::laughing:

Seriously if you do not have a place under roof to keep it, at least cover it with tarp. Rain won't hurt it nearly as much as prolonged exposure to sunlight (ultraviolet rays) which will faded & oxidized paint, cause seat vinyl to crack, and weather check your tires over time.

Anymore bird crap and I am going to put it in the shed with a tarp over it.

 

[beenthere]

SSDoxie
Cats are a great help to keep the birds out of the barn. Just be sure they have a "catwalk" to get to them at night, and the will clean up for you. Some arranged 2x6 boards work good for that, as the birds roost at night. Easy pickin's.

 

[galaxie428]

I keep mine in the barn but my wife says I am too **** about keeping my stuff clean and in good shape. Luckily my barn is big enough that I can keep all my stuff in. I just hate to see dirt on my vehicles/equipment.

 

[Canada_CT230]

I keep my CT230 in a Shelter Logic 10w x 20l x 8h silver garage in a box. I got it for $300. I do have to keep the ROPS down to get it in. You have to watch the snow load during the winter. I bounce it off from the inside. I put down some old carpet inside. It keeps the dust down from the dirt floor. It is not bad to roll around on while servicing the machine. You must get a silver one...those block the UV rays. The others do not. I get my dirt bike, lawn tractor, 55 fuel drum, tractor w/ FEL and 68" snowblower inside the tent. I ran an extension cord out there for the block heater. Then I just plug in at the house.

 

[Gittyup]

I used a tarp the first year. Then I built a leanto on the back of my barn. It's a real nice addition!

 

[DAY]

Tarps trap moisture, moisture condenses in fuel tanks, creates rust elsewhere.

Look at ANY dealer, from the little local place, to the big clearance houses with thousands of tractors, etc. Everything is outside. Same with automobiles.

 

[Rob-D]

Tarps trap moisture, moisture condenses in fuel tanks, creates rust elsewhere.

Look at ANY dealer, from the little local place, to the big clearance houses with thousands of tractors, etc. Everything is outside. Same with automobiles.

They're not leaving them out for years. They move inventory and it's a cost issue. Cheaper to leave them out where people can drive by and see them than inside.
Anyway that's how I see it, my guy is inside. It stays nicer and has better resale. Besides, we get rough winters here and it's a lot nicer to drive out of the barn or garage when it's 10 below and you just had a two foot dump of snow!
Rob

 

[DK35vince]

Tarps trap moisture, moisture condenses in fuel tanks, creates rust elsewhere.

My tractor was tarped for the first 3 or 4 years I owned it.
I had no issue with moisture.

 

[grsthegreat]

I'm kinda a nut about keeping everything i own under cover. If i dint have enuf space for something to have a shelter from the elements, i wont buy it.

Dealers HAVE to leave their stuff outside, if its not seen, its not sold. They also wash their cars, etc regularly. And their turnover is fast (Hopefully). I recently sold my 14 yo JD tractor, and while it didn't sell immediately, everyone that came and looked at it asked me if it had been repainted ... it looked that good. Sun,snow,hail....they all take a tool on a paint job. I dint like to spend thousands on something then let it rot in the sun.

The wife and i have been looking for a new gooseneck horse trailer for some time. We finally found one we could both agree on, and it was 2.5" short of the length i had available for storage, and 1.5" short of the height i had available for storage....talk about a tight fit. Like i say, if it doesn't fit, i dint want it.

Short answer.....tarp is soso protection, and it will scratch the finish. If your weather isn't too harsh, those curved aluminum sheds make a good cover (anchor it to ground)...best bet- a nice shed with additional storage for implements,boats,whatever.

 

[Crike]

A metal carport covers my CT450.

 

[MoKelly]

I put my tractor and the implements inside the garage (3 bays) and the cars outside...

I have to say I do the same.

MoKelly

 

[jobguy]

I live in MN and use the soft sided sheds from Northern Tool. The sheds with two inch pipe frames hold up very well for keeping the snow and rain off. No moister problems as they do not close up very tight, there is always air flow. Last fall I bought the barn style soft sided shed. The pipe is smaller than two inch and very thin walled. The Barn style sheds the snow (20 inches in one snow fall) great. BUT,,,, the frame bolts together using plastic brackets which would be a good idea if the tubing itself did not collapse because it is way too thin. Thus the shed loosened up over winter and leans at least 8 inches to one side. The ad for this shed also shows it sitting on a concrete or blacktop pad out in the open. In real life these sheds would blow away out in the open.
Next time I will use one of the car ports mentioned above, my dad had one on the farm and it has held up well for over 10 years now.

 

[boggen]

the new holland/ford 555c TLB (tractor loader backhoe) is way to big to fit in the sheds i have, so it sets outside. i hate parking it in grass, dirt or like. and have a old feeder cow lot that was put down in concrete. so i park it there. and if for some reason area is being used, i will park it on the gravel driveway for temp doings.

for me it is more about muddy mess, and mowing around stuff, and trying to keep things clean and looking half way good.

if i had a shed i could put it into, it would be in a shed.

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the allis chalmers CA, it is small enough on other hand and i do park it in one of the sheds.

the Allis has a 2 bottom plow, and a disc that fits it. and i do not have shed space available for them. first year they ended up in the grass. talk about a lot of extra surface rust happening. second year i put them on some old pallets that had some plastic laid down before hand. that help, but pallets were a pain in rear. and lumber would crack and break. 3rd year i was finally able to clean off some more concrete on the concrete of the old cow lot. and place them. huge difference.

if i had a choice i would shed everything. everything just keeps better. and when you goto use stuff. there is less fighting different things. example in winter. no need to dig stuff out. batteries are not being frozen, things start up easier.

hoses, cables, for engine and like do not wear out as fast when in a shed.

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on other hand can you keep the stuff outside, yep you can. but the stuff i do keep outside, that i wish was not in a shed, normally gets a lot of use through out the year. and do not set there week after week and never get used.

stuff i do not use that often i do my best to find a spot in a shed for it. or at very min. keep it out of grass and dirt. and if possible tarp it.

 

[krazzydart]

What are fellow Bobcat owners doing with their tractors? I don't have a shed or out building for the tractor so I've been leaving it outside and covering the seat to the front of the engine with a tarp but don't want things to rust.

Am I being too ****? Should I go with it-is-a-tractor-leave-it-outside-you-fool.

****... I wax my Tractor... My lil'Bob Cat was dirty from the "WINTER USE" and I just got out last week to wash it and wax it.... I even armor-alled the tires!!! I keep my "KITTY" in the Garage and even have a light cloth to put on it so it don't get dusty!!! NOW THAT'S ****!

Rick!!!!