Should I Cover My New Tractor..???

[Pushing_Tin]

Hello all, new to the board and tractors! I just bought a JD 2320 set to be deilvered tomorrow. The wife and I are building a house on 5 acres in the country, unfortunately the tractor has to stay out on the property uncovered since we are currently living in an apartment and I don't have a trailer or place to park it anyway. I'm concerned about theft, so I plan to run a heavy duty chain or cable through the frame and attach it to an old oak tree. Are there any other theft precautions that I should take? I was also wondering whether to cover it or not. We are only able to use the tractor 2-3 days a week on our days off, the rest of the time it will just sit.

Any thoughts, feedback, cheers or jeers are welcome!

 

[6sunset6]

Tilt the seat up That way it is not wet the next time you sit in it. Mice and other things will live under the cover as well as the tractor. I would not cover it.

 

[NFA Fun]

I just ordered a new machine as well! Since it will not fit in the garage, it will be covered. The **** sun out here just destroys stuff left out.

 

[bjcsc]

Buy or build a shed for it. Push some tin onto the roof. It wouldn't cost much and would be worth the peace of mind. Heck, you can get the tarp kind as a full garage with doors cheap. People don't steal what they can't see. Once you're out there, take it down after you build whatever you will keep it in.

 

[JiminGa]

a pole barn would be a fairly cheap temporary fix

 

[N80]

I've kept my 'new' tractor under a tarp for two years. No problems but it is a pain. I've had a few mice, but I've seen mice in uncovered, tarped and shed kept tractors.

A single bay, open 'pole' barn can be fairly inexpensive, but still not cheap and possibly not everyone has the skills to build one. Plus, once you begin considering a small, single bay shed, it quickly becomes clear that a shed that will hold only the tractor doesn't make much sense and then you end up like me, planning to build a 3 bay 20x30 footer with considerable more expense and then wondering if it should be a little bigger.

A friend has had decent luck with one of those cheap ($100) tarp type garages, but it only lasted a year.

I'm figuring that I can build my 20x30 shed (done well) for around $1800, which means that it will actually cost a good bit more of course.

 

[JiminGa]

George, add 15% to your expected cost for the materials, then add $$$ cause you will need to buy a post hole digger for yer tractor to sink those light poles

 

[beersngars]

A little trick I used till the barn was built, and sometimes still do if we are not around a while is replace the main fuse with one I "fixed." It appears to look fine but one leg is missing. The thougt is, they may break in, but it will have to be pushed out. I own a Kubota and the fuses are easily accessed by opening the hood then opening one of two covered fuse holders. Just "fix" the main and keep the good one with you.

 

[frank_f15]

Hello all, new to the board and tractors! I just bought a JD 2320 set to be deilvered tomorrow. The wife and I are building a house on 5 acres in the country, unfortunately the tractor has to stay out on the property uncovered since we are currently living in an apartment and I don't have a trailer or place to park it anyway. I'm concerned about theft, so I plan to run a heavy duty chain or cable through the frame and attach it to an old oak tree. Are there any other theft precautions that I should take? I was also wondering whether to cover it or not. We are only able to use the tractor 2-3 days a week on our days off, the rest of the time it will just sit.

Any thoughts, feedback, cheers or jeers are welcome!

Welcome to the forum: put the chain and cabel on but also shut off the fuel feed, mabey disconnet one of the safety switches, all these togeter might discourage theft, but you will never discourage a dedicated thief. MAKE SURE you are wel insured. also i personally would cover it, but i would cover it loosely so the air can get under and prevent condensation.

 

[Rara Avis]

Out of sight is the most important feature of tarps, sheds, or temp fabric garages...