Garden Tractor Storage

[moparfreak]

I know this might seem like a stupid question, but as I'm trying to plan the layout of my shop, I'm wondering if there are any ideas out there for storing large power equipment such as garden tractors in a shop and using the space effectively.

I have a relatively standard John Deere D100 series that I use, might trade it in here at work for a larger Simplicity unit sometime soon, but I need to save some floorspace for it but don't want to waste all the space in a shop that tractors can take up. Was thinking of developing some sort of loft storage to go above it, or maybe a raised platform for it to drive up on and could store stuff underneath. Just fishing for ideas.

Other L&G stuff as well, found a really neat idea below from one of the other organization threads here that I think I'll use to stack up my snowblower, pushmower and portable genset into one compact tower:

Thanks,
Adam

 

[zkdiesel]

Separate building for my two large garden tractors and other atv vehicles. Keep shop clean and less stink from grass

 

[cheechi]

I have seen some interesting ways to store smaller mower/tractors including driving up ramps (the kind you drive your truck up to change oil) and 'parking' it at 45* or 'parking' it on what is essentially a motorcycle lift table. I don't really think either of those are good advice.

Personally, I am planning an outdoor 'closet' similar to the plastic ones you can buy at sears or HD, when I get a bigger compressor to store there also. Sorry I don't have much to add but I have been in the planning stages on this and thought you might have been showing off how you solved it.

 

[mhoss44]

Build a small storage off the side of the building, you can place other equipment out there in the winter, as well. I have a 10 foot wide space, will build a privacy fence with roof, a lean to. Putting mulcher out there as well. Or, I can build a short closet over the mower, a tower like you mentioned. That mower you have should have a transmission release at the back. My JD 320 does, and my previous JD does. I figure I can push and pull the tractor in and out of the closet, so the bottom shelf just have to clear the top of the steering wheel. That shelf would be a great place to lean a weedeater, my chainsaw, etc. Good idea. oh, the sides of your tower creates space to hang things also, like more wall space. Great idea you have, think I will use it.

 

[38Chevy454]

Agree, separate storage bldg and keep the mower out of the garage. Unless your garage is not for working in and purely storage. If you can;t put a small shed, then build a lean-to on side of the garage for lawn and yard equipment.

 

[moparfreak]

I have considered a small lean-to or shed adjacent to the garage entry door to fit the tractor in, but the problems are:

1) Just spent a lot of money on the shop, and convincing my wife to spend more $$ and time to save ~20 sqft of a 1340 sqft shop, my argument is getting a little thin.

2) Technically I'm not allowed to build closer to the lot line than 10', so if it's considered a permanent structure (which I would think a lean-to would be) then I might get issues from the city.

3) Would have to get rid of a huge royal pain Ewe bush that looks like it would need a 2-1/4 ton to pull it out (which my stepdad happens to have....hmm...)

Think I still need to come up with something to keep it inside, just not sure of what is the best solution at the moment...in my last garage I was tripping all over until it until finally I just started keeping it outside behind the garage, but I don't like that either cause then its prone to weathering faster and also easier theft.

Thanks,
Adam

 

[moparfreak]

Found this. Nice idea. Crazy expensive ($2k+S&H!!) but maybe a DIY version? Probably not, but I do like the roll-on tracks w/ casters to make for easy maneauverability side to side once it's parked. That part of it could certainly be built as a project with common materials.

http://www.garagecargolift.com/gcltractorpics.htm

Thanks,
Adam

 

[kbs2244]

I just clean and winterize it well, drive it around back, take the battery out, and cover it with a heavy tarp.
Sand bags and bungge cords keep the tarp in place in spite of winter winds.

 

[Steevo]

I store mine on pallet racking:

 

[Gerald O]

Where do you store the forklift?

 

[sands35]

Where the tractor would have gone if he didn't have the fork lift.

 

[moparfreak]

That is awesome and makes me sad, cause I have no forklift!

 

[955point9cummins]

Where do you store the forklift?

This made me laugh hard.

I have been thinking of modifying the center joists in my garage to accommodate a cable lift of sorts for storing my simplicity tractor. It wouldn't be too difficult to do. Would just weld up a metal frame to drive up onto then winch it up so that the tractor is in the attic of the garage. I think I could get it done for a couple hundred bucks since I already have a warn winch I don't use for anything else.

 

[andersen24]

I store mine on pallet racking:

OK, I like this one the best! Gets everything up on the racks, and would give me an excuse to buy a forklift One of those things I've wanted, but not necessarily ever needed!!!!!!!

 

[kf4zht]

I built a ramp system with a stand when I had a small rider, put ramps on to drive it up and down, enough space to store the generator and pressure washer underneath. It at least got the 3 most annoying things out of the way. Now with the kubota BX it isn't going up on anything, but I have lots more space at the new place, which created the need for a tractor.

 

[moparfreak]

Do you have any pics of the stand you used for the smaller rider?

 

[Stuart in MN]

One of the other board members here built a small lift out of Unistrut a couple years ago for this sort of thing - they were storing a snowmobile, but the same basic design could be used for a lawn tractor: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34840&highlight=unistrut+lift

 

[p_mori7]

Why do you store it in the winter ?

Use it !

You live in WI... You guys get a decent amount of snow there too !

 

[moparfreak]

I have to admit, I always thought those tractor "cabs" looked funny, but I'm sure are quite nice when you're blowing snow and not getting slammed in the face w/ ice cold snow and slush....

It's true, we do get a lot of snow, but I've got a driveway that is only 2 wide, 3 deep (at most), so a $1500 blower attachment for my tractor is a bit overkill. For testing purposes at work, I shoehorned a 28hp ZTR engine into one of our Simplicity Prestige tractors for cold testing and I'm very tempted to take that home this winter. That would only compound my storage/space problem, tho....