Tractor storage - use a Shipping Container?

[gordon21]

Here are a few pix of my cargo container. These were taken in mid painting. It is a 20' model with a 4'x9' window installed in it. It sits on the ground on one side and the other side sits on concrete blocks. The hill slope is about 15 degrees. They are dirt cheap, and sturdier than anything you can build. Construction time is how long it takes you to write a check. If you look at the interior pix you can see pieces of angle steel welded to each side on the end at 2' intervals from the fllor to ceiling. I put PT decking boards across for shelves. 8' pieces had to be cut an inch or so to fit.

 

[Highbeam]

I have had one for several years. I bought it for a small dozer and now I store an implement and odds and ends in it but not the tractor since I get thieves trying to break into it every year or so.

I painted mine with oil based enamel from a paint gun an olive drab color which has faded to a light green. I also cut roof vents and some lower wall vents to allow air circulation. The moisture I was trying to ventilate came from the muddy bulldozer.

No bugs, no water, it won't burn down or blow away. The container has served me well.

 

[Timber]

Wow I'm surprised the floor didn't give out under the wt and the tracks. I'm in the paper business and the clamp truck and a roll of paper can wreak havoc with those things. If it were me and I was going to do the container thing and I had the land. I would take 2 40 foot containers set 15 feet apart. Build trusses to span both containers. Then bolt 2X4 walls along the outside and along the back. Insulate, side & roof it and you have a nice barn with a 15 X 40 dirt floor and 2 40' steel bays. Add doors and a wood stove and you will be styling and you will have be a nice looking building. But then if you set it on a concrete pad even better.

 

[amigauser]

Thanks again for the additional feedback.

I guess one option would be to put most of the shipping container in the woods like you did so that only the door shows. The trees would hide most of the container. I could probably do that on my land.

I am curious how much a 20' container weighs? Any idea? Can the tractor move it? I hoped that I could move it (drag it) with the B3030 if I end up getting one.

I am still looking at options. My wife is not in favor of the container at all so a wood building may be my only option.

Norm

 

[john_bud]

Thanks again for the additional feedback.

snip

I am curious how much a 20' container weighs? Any idea? Can the tractor move it? I hoped that I could move it (drag it) with the B3030 if I end up getting one.


Norm

I'm thinking that a 20' container weighs in the 7000 to 10,000# range. But I don't know for sure, just a thought....

jb

 

[MrJimi]

Thanks again for the additional feedback.

I guess one option would be to put most of the shipping container in the woods like you did so that only the door shows. The trees would hide most of the container. I could probably do that on my land.

I am curious how much a 20' container weighs? Any idea? Can the tractor move it? I hoped that I could move it (drag it) with the B3030 if I end up getting one.

I am still looking at options. My wife is not in favor of the container at all so a wood building may be my only option.

Norm

When you see one on the road, all the weights are written on the back.
Jim

 

[MadReferee]

I am curious how much a 20' container weighs? Any idea? Can the tractor move it? I hoped that I could move it (drag it) with the B3030 if I end up getting one.

If you followed one of the links above to the place that sells the containers you would eventually find the specs for the containers. A 20' dry van type container weighs in at just a hair over 5000 lbs. The 40' container is at 8000 lbs.

 

[stumpfield]

I plan to get one for the same purpose and found a private party selling an aluminum container for the same price. Looks almost exactly the same but made of aluminum instead of steel. Anyone know if there any problem with an aluminum shipping container? How does it compare with the steel one? Aluminum won't rust and is a lot lighter to deal with.

Also, if I buy it from a private party, I need to figure out a way to load it on my trailer. Any ideas on how to load it without using a giant forklift? I appreciate any suggestions.

 

[gordon21]

The steel 20' models will weigh between 5000-5400# assuming you have 2 swinging barn doors on one end only. Tare weights will be on the ends in 3 or 4" high numbers. Aluminum will be a lot lighter and usually costs 50-70% more if you can find one. They are very hard to find.

If you can get an aluminum one for under $1800, go for it.

Add a window, a walk through door and you're all set.

 

[gordon21]

Loading an aluminum container would be far easier than steel. A ratchet come-a-long, some rope and a couple pieces of 4" PVC pipe to roll it on. It should go right up onto a flatbead trailer easily. Hook the comealong up by the A frame of the trailer and use rope or chain between it and the container. It is slow work, but can be done in 15-20 minutes that way. Drag it 5-10', then reset the ropes and comealong and repeat several times.