Outdoor storage under a tarp?

Tallbald

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Not a rich man (wealthy in the love and support of my family though), I cannot afford to build a structure for storing my small L185 next winter after she's home and refurbed this coming spring. Here in Southern KY, the coldest I've seen air temperature in 36 years is maybe -7F . A 10 inch snow is extraordinary and everything shuts down for days....power flickers and grocery stores stand almost empty, cleared out in anticipation of the snow.
I may only be able to store my L185 outdoors year around. After time, love and energy put into refurbing I sure won't leave it in the hot sun, rain and cold unprotected. I'm left with the option of a heavy duty tarp . Not the best choice but maybe my only one.
How would I prep Orange Crush for winter under a tarp? What about warmer weather folks? I'd appreciate input. Oh. My neighbors won't care, not that it would matter to me. My wife Penny and I work to watch over them, provide security (old folks), and are already used to our 1956 New Holland manure spreader on display in our front yard as an ornament. See the photo below.
Another question too while I'm at it. Dangerous an undertaking as it would be to try to steal my tractor from my back yard, I find self pondering how I could place a lock on a tractor to deter anyone but a determined thief.
Thoughts really appreciated. Don.
 
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skeets

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As far as prep goes just like you would anything with a motor fuel stablizer in the tank, and either pull the battery or put a battery tender on the old gal,, and as far as tarping her,,, wellll for my money I wouldnt, maybe hammer together some 2x4s and make a small tractor port with the tarp over it,. See the moisture cant get out from under the tarp if its draped over it, and then things start to get ugly. Guys leave then sit out all winter and they are good to go in the spring,, any kind of lean to to cover it just dont wrap it up
 

ShaunBlake

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skeets is one of the old-timers who is full of wisdom (he talked me into taking a cruise with Noah). My comments are not meant to refute his wisdom, only to augment it.

I always (almost) cover my B6100 with a tarp (half of a light-duty big box store tarp that covered a hole in my roof for nearly a year). It's obvious that my tractor hasn't seen the inside of a barn/shed in this century, if every, but I despise sitting in a wet seat, so I cover it up. I used to cover the loader arms as well as the 3PH arms, using bungee cords to try to hold the tarp on the tractor. Recently I've found that some 2x4 blocks tied to the corners of the tarp and hanging on either side of the hood, and between the ROPS and the 3PH arms is more effective.

Of course, I'm 275 to 400 miles south of you, so if there's too much snow (like, 3/4"), it'll only be a couple of days before I've got the ol' gal out pulling logs or lifting firewood or some other 'excuse'. :D
 

Tallbald

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My thoughts for tarp use were to basically cover the entire top of my tractor, but leave say a foot of open area from ground to bottom of tarp edge. I was thinking that would allow air to circulate up under the tarp to dry moisture too. A roll bar would be a nice thing to drape a tart over too, but my tractor doesn't have one. Heavy duty bungee cords would keep the tarp from blowing away. Don
 

Lil Foot

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A roll bar would be a nice thing to drape a tart over
I couldn't agree more.:D Typo or Freudian slip?:p
When my tractor visits the Phoenix area, it lives under a tarp, but we are considerably warmer & drier than your area. I would think application of WD40 or Fluid Film on the rust prone areas, plus a regular "unveiling" for venting & drying out would serve well.

By the way, I love the tires on that spreader- very cool!
 

William1

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I tarped my BX the first three or four months but it got to be old pulling it off, putting it on.
For $200.00, Item #60727 at harbor freight I got one of their 17' X 10' shelters. It is made by a Shelter Logic. A bit of a pain to assemble by your yourself, it took me close to a day. Had I had help, It would of taken 1/3 of the time.
25% off coupons around right now so you could get it for $150.
 
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Humblebub

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While a different climate, I tried most combinations of tarps over the years and regardless of different combinations my observation is that tarps accelerate rust. We have wide temp ranges, (-25 c to 30 c), damp salt air and high winds. I did try the Shelter Logic enclosure erected on a wood platform and that was good until is collapses under snow load.
 

CountryBumkin

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You could get one of those "breathable" fabric "car covers" that would let moisture out but keeps rain from soaking through.

I'm planning to get one to cover my tractor once I figure out the proper size to get (car, truck, or small RV size maybe).

I'm in FL so cold is not an issue, but I would like to keep it dry.
 

olthumpa

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skeets is one of the old-timers who is full of wisdom (he talked me into taking a cruise with Noah). . . .
Ok, so we know you are not a unicorn. That leaves: elephant, horse, cow, monkey, . . . . or is sheepfarmer still trying to catch you? :confused: :p :D :D
 

Mike9

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Another storage consideration is mice - do what you can to dissuade the buggers from setting up house in your tractor. They're fond of the space behind the dash panel.
 

Tallbald

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Lil Foot now that's funny! Probably Freudian LOL. The spreader raises eyebrows. When all the flowers are in bloom, it's beautiful. A neighborhood landmark. Don
 

al m

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I work at a marina,boats are tarped for winter storage. Condensation is a issue that must be addressed,venting and desiccant
I would not advise on the tarp touching the tractor,as the heavy duty ones are just that,heavy,and abrasive.
Don't think throwing a tart over the roll bar would do any good!
 

D2Cat

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Don, do you know anyone who deals with military surplus goods? Army has some trailers they are always parting with that had a plastic tarp cover. They are good sized, about 7x9 and 5' tall. so they are cubical shaped.

I've got two or three of them for $10 each. Make nice shelters. You could use tubing, 2x4 or anything else handy to make a frame. Then you would have an inexpensive "garage".
 

Tooljunkie

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Leave a car sit here for a year in the long tall grass and it will soon be too rusty to save. Put it on blocks 20" in the air and its a completely different game.
A dry solid surface to park on is first and foremost.
Never use limestone base to park on, will rust stuff fast.

Breatheable covers are the best.
A small tarp shed with lots of air movement will be your simplest solution. Except for the local bylaws. The dont allow them in my town, but in rural areas they do. Check before you buy.
 

RCW

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Leave a car sit here for a year in the long tall grass and it will soon be too rusty to save.
We call it "Lot Rot" - starts with locked up brake calipers, leaks in the fuel and brake lines, etc., etc.
 

eipo

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I put this together using EMT conduit and tarps. Scale it down for your purposes and you wouldn't have much into it.



 

Tallbald

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These are some wonderful ideas. I miss having some acreage, but that's how life turned out. Thanks everyone. Don
 

Greenhead

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Maybe ask around the neighborhood if anyone has garage space. Like the little old lady with a two car garage and only one car. Just a thought.