Storing your Wheel Horse

[victorb 46]

Not sure if this belongs here or in non-tractor section, so forgive me if I chose wrong.

 

As the title suggests, I am curious where is the best place to keep your WheelHorse when not in use. Ideally I would like to keep mine in Garage or Shed but just have run out of room. Looking to build a second garage/shed at some point but not sure how soon that will happen. So for now I have a tarp tied down over my 520H to at least protect it from some elements. I plan on using this for clearing snow (blower) so it needs to be easily accessible. I looked at some various canopy/tent-like structures but not sure if they are any better than a tarp.

 

What are solutions that others might use?  Is a garage/shed the only way to go to keep a clean/dry tractor ready to go? 

 

-VictorB

[peter lena 8,625]

@victorb  think i would have  something , with more coverage strength than  , a sheet of vinyl, another thing is the mice , etc , getting under that . would also get some STA- BIL gas treatment  run thru that before putting it to sleep.  have sta bil in all my gas tanks . if the tent like set ups have a floor , that would be a bonus.  others will  add to this ,  pete 

[Achto 27,571]

13 minutes ago, victorb said:

Is a garage/shed the only way to go to keep a clean/dry tractor ready to go? 

 

Definitely the best way.

 

Tent garages work well, even better with gable vents added to them to keep the moisture build up down. Most out of the box tent garage covers will last you about 2yrs, don't expect much more out of them. Of course if you buy the better cover, (the one that they don't include  when you buy the tent garage) you can get 8+ yrs out of the cover.

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,315]

  If you get a windy day and that tarp starts flapping it can actually wear off the paint where it beats on the hood or fender 

  Could you make a simple wooden A frame over the tractor and then toss a tarp over that? 

[Pullstart 62,851]

You mention garage and shed, could you clean out or organize enough for space inside?

[victorb 46]

6 minutes ago, Sparky said:

  If you get a windy day and that tarp starts flapping it can actually wear off the paint where it beats on the hood or fender 

  Could you make a simple wooden A frame over the tractor and then toss a tarp over that? 

 

I have it tied down pretty good underneath but I do agree with you and this has been one of my many concerns. I will look into this if no better options come about. Thanks.

[victorb 46]

4 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

You mention garage and shed, could you clean out or organize enough for space inside?

 

Probably but not realistic in short term. Even if I got rid of some stuff (which might hurt me ) I am not sure I will have enough room with current space.

[SylvanLakeWH 25,557]

1 hour ago, Sparky said:

  If you get a windy day and that tarp starts flapping it can actually wear off the paint where it beats on the hood or fender 

  Could you make a simple wooden A frame over the tractor and then toss a tarp over that? 

I built two giant saw horses with 8' legs and used them to create an a frame. Draped with two tarps and fastened down. Allows air flow but protects stuff...

[JoeM 7,874]

I got to a point when using tarps I would lay the tarp down on the ground and run one set of tires on the tarp wind side. Then use bungee cords to secure the other side. I keep the nicer machines inside and the ones tarped paint damage wasn't an issue. 

I got one machine under a tarp and I will not get another. just a big PIA (the tarps.) 

Just wondering, how about a TeePee? use 3 2x4x8. snow rolls off and could flab and opening to drive in and out. just thinking.

 

[kpinnc 12,021]

 Storing a tractor under a tarp is no different than storing one in a lake, completely submerged. 

 

Here at least, every single day results in condensation (with no benefit of the hood and fenders shedding water) that goes everywhere. It forms not only on top of the hood, but even under the tins of the engine, every electrical contact, every surface. 

 

If a tarp is the only option, it should be open on the sides as much as possible. Ventilation is mandatory.

 

 

[WHGuy413 2,683]

On 11/9/2022 at 4:12 PM, Sparky said:

  If you get a windy day and that tarp starts flapping it can actually wear off the paint where it beats on the hood or fender 

  Could you make a simple wooden A frame over the tractor and then toss a tarp over that? 

I’ve personally witnessed this on an ex girlfriends dads snowmobile. Her brother moved the sled forward to work on his and the tarp door on their shed took the colors right off the hood of the almost new sled.

[Jeff-C175 7,202]

Another thing to think about, and this was mentioned in another thread a while back...

 

The PLASTICIZERS in the vinyl tarp material will migrate into the paint where it touches.  The paint will be damaged beyond repair.  Those plasticizers will actually 'melt' the paint and the color from the tarp will transfer INTO the paint.  Not ON TO the paint, but INTO it, and it can't be removed with any cleaners...  It's like the vinyl tries to meld with the paint.

 

 

[Lee1977 6,659]

Well I bought the C-120 new. The next one a 312-8 was rough but still running with a lot of problems. The 520-H had problems but was in fare shape. None were ready for the scrap yard. 

[c-series don 8,705]

A friend of mine bought a absolutely beautiful D-160 with 80 hrs on it. Drove from Long Island N.Y. to Indiana to purchase it, it really looked brand new I’m not kidding. Unfortunately he did not store it inside and tarped it for a few months. Upon removal of the tarp the tractor looked totally different, rust everywhere and the tarp had baked itself to the hood. Apparently after the moisture was under the tarp and the sun beat down on it, it literally adhered to the metal. It really was a shame, however he sold it to a guy who has kept it in a heated garage ever since. I keep thinking it’s too bad it didn’t go to him first!! It probably would still look new! 

[Horse Newbie 7,069]

Horses must absolutely be stored in a well ventilated, dry, environment…

[Retired Wrencher 5,454]

Vic:  If you plane on keeping for 5 to 10 years. If you have a B.J`s near you pick up some dryer sheets. They stink the worst. Mice hate them. Also find a place that make covers for boats or whatever. A bit pricey but well worth it. I did it for a potting shed same material the trucks use on flat beds trailers. Should last 10 years or better. Hope this works out for you.

[WHX?? 48,815]

On 11/9/2022 at 2:41 PM, victorb said:

Looking to build a second garage/shed at some point 

Same boat here guy. I'm lucky and have a neighbor who let's me keep a few (dozen)  in a lean to off property but the way i gotta stack them in like cordwood makes it difficult to get one out if it needs love in the dead of two ft of snow. Plus the hassle of moving them all. 

You guys know how I feel about fake garages 

[rmaynard 15,456]

I have always had sheds that were mouse-proof. Concrete floor, sealed anywhere a critter could get in. When my pole building was built, I thought that I had made sure everything was rodent-proof, but I discovered some chewed paper this spring which indicated that somebody found a way in. So with that in mind, after it got dark, I had my grandson walk around the perimeter of the building with a million candle-power light, shining it into cracks and crevices, and sure enough we found a small opening at one corner at the floor. 

 

Having said that, before the pole building I was looking at solutions and found this.

 

https://www.carcoverusa.com/rhino-shelters-car-pocket-motorcycle-pocket.php?gclid=Cj0KCQiAgribBhDkARIsAASA5bvpWcFbgtI51EH5h2lGCI7VcA9RgfncluuFq0PDugHn5fqJ4b4SojoaAoZUEALw_wcB

 

Zippers all around. They have car, motorcycle, and 4-wheeler bags

Edited November 11, 2022 by rmaynard

[gt14rider 759]

Had this up for 3 or 4 days, hold downs stayed, metal tubes bent and broke. 60+ mph winds 

[Jeff-C175 7,202]

10 hours ago, Retired Wrencher said:

dryer sheets.

 

My mice love them! I've found many nests over the years lined with them.

 

They also eat my hand soap at the shop sink.

 

They haven't chewed through the yellow expanding foam I've used to seal their holes.  Something in it that repels them.

 

 

 

 

[WHX?? 48,815]

I have barn cats and no mice. Only down fall is the birds at the feeders take a hit now and then. 

I attempt to cover up outside parts tractors with remants of said fake garage. The mice love going under them but so do the cats. Problems solved. 

[Jeff-C175 7,202]

2 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

Problems solved. 

 

Until you step in cat 5h1t !

[WHX?? 48,815]

I don't do cat boxes Jeff but they fece in the warehouse gravel. 

That's OK the dogs think they are crunchy coated caramel treats. 

[WHX?? 48,815]

Yah ... you don't ask for kisses after that...

[Jeff-C175 7,202]

1 hour ago, WHX?? said:

cat

 

I used to mow the old dude up the road yard. He used to feed about 30 feral cats.  I had to scrub the cat poop out of the treads before putting the manchine away. I used to gag... It was pretty gross.