Tracktor Shed

allpontiac · Jul 5, 2006

I recently built a 3 sided tractor shed with plans to use a tarp over the front opening which is 8 ft high and 18 ft wide. If I just hook the tarp across the top, I'll have to use a ladder to reach the hooks everytime I open the shed. Has anyone devised a way to roll up a tarp for this use. Thanks, Lewis

allpontiac · Jul 5, 2006

Oops! Sorry about the title - guess I can't spell "tractor"

Billy_S · Jul 5, 2006

I wonder if you could rig something up like a shower curtain, using a piece of iron pipe and those ring things mountain climbers use. Caribiners or something like that, I think they are called.

slowrev · Jul 5, 2006

Yes, just add some grommets about 1 ft apart along the top edge and use the metal type shower curtain rod hooks.
Ben

Redneck_Randy · Jul 5, 2006

Go to a awning shop and they will have what you need. 3 glass ring and clips to hold them up. Nylon rope and a weighted bar for the botton of the tarp cover. They should show you how the install goes. I have installed many roll up tarp this way and it's very easy to install and rollup.

neverenough · Jul 5, 2006

Normally, the way the they are set up is this... Secure a rope to the header about 1 foot towords center on each side of the tarp being hung. Make sure the rope is 3 times the length of the hanging tarp. Next mount the tarp. Next mount a board, like a 2x2, to the bottom of the tarp. Now run the rope, that is behind the tarp, under, then in front of the tarp and back up to the header. Mount a pulley for each rope just above the top of the tarp. Put the rope through the pulley and run back down to the ground. It will work somewhat like blinds in a house window.

slowrev · Jul 5, 2006

allpontiac said:
Oops! Sorry about the title - guess I can't spell "tractor"

np, the correct spelling is "trakter" anyway.

Ben

Redneck_Randy · Jul 5, 2006

Hope this gives you an idea of how the install goes.

Pooh_Bear · Jul 5, 2006

I devised a method but I don't know how well it work across 18 feet.
Works kinda like a roll up garage door.
Get a piece of 4x4 longer than the door is wide.
So you can roll the tarp up on it.
Mount the 4x4 above the door so it can rotate.
Put lag bolts in the ends for it to rotate on smoothly.
Attach the tarp to the 4x4 and roll it up.
Attach weights to the ends of the 4x4 so that when the tarp is rolled down it causes the weights to raise. Then you can just tie the tarp down where you want it. When you need to raise it, unhook it and let the weights come down and roll the tarp back up around the 4x4.
Works kinda like a big window shade.

Personally, I think I would build a door frame and attach the tarp to that.
Then when I could afford a material for a door I would build a door.

Pooh Bear
Red Neck Engineer Emeritus