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Tractor Shed.

L

L.Fure

Well-known Member
Would a shipping container make a good tractor shed. I keep my Case 530 in an old dairy barn that borders our property. The barn belongs to our neighbor. When we first moved here, twenty eight years ago, I kept my tractor (JD B) outside. My neighbor saw this and told me to park it in the barn. I've used the barn for storage ever since. He doesn't charge anything for the use of the barn, but I'd like to have a tractor shed closer to the house. The walk to the barn in, knee deep snow, to get the tractor out so I can clear out the driveway isn't fun anymore. That, and the neighbor is getting on in age, and I'm not sure what will happen to our arrangement after he's gone. Anyway, I saw these containers on Craig's List and thought one of these would be a nice tractor shed. What do you guy's think?

http://madison.craigslist.org/hvd/5281694402.html
 
I've never had one, but I would guess they would have a condensation problem in humid climates, much the same as pole buildings with un-insulated roofs. On a foggy morning, its almost like its raining inside.
 
Around here for the price of those things and moving them you could build a better shed!!
 
Hi, I think I would be great. Just need some
ventilation. I saw 2 placed side by side with a roof
placed between. He had put Windows in the
containers. Merry Christmas. Ed will oliver bc
 
Depending on your budget,you could buy 2 40 footers,set them 15 feet apart and truss over them,and tin the roof. This would give you a 15x40 parking/shop area with more than ample storage space in the 2 containers.
 
Not a moisture problem in my part of the country, they are difficult because you have to squeeze by getting out but is doable. Be aware that most of those place are experts at upselling. They will hit you for a hefty deliver charge , try to sell you one with hi capacity, lifetime paint and just on and on. Probably can build a cheap 4 post shed for the cost but yes they do offer quick storage. They also find use where the site is remote because they can be locked up pretty secure.
 
I have one I was going to use as a shop before I got one built, even put an exhaust fan in it. Like the other gentleman says, to much moister at certain time of the year, in the summer, way to hot, and then after awhile, they leak. Get one of those sheds that cost around seven hundred dollars, have them to build higher even sides, way cheaper and you'll like it better or just build what you want. My two cents.
 
We had one at my old job and I don't think it would be wide enough to get a tractor in it. They are tight, very little dust gets in one. We used it to store medical records in and they stayed clean.
 
Agree, containers cost more per square foot. Yesterday day conditions were perfect for condensation to form on everything in my pole barn. Water on front bucket of hoe. Water on quart oil bottles. Today all moisture gone because barn is properly vented. Can't Sr how you could vent shipping container enough to park a tractor on that you just used to push snow with.
 
I have never been around any so do not know if this would be a concern or not. All information given is for length so I have no idea what width they are but I would guess they have to be legal width on the roads and that is eight and a half feet. Now take off a half foot on each side for the walls you are down to seven and a half feet to get the tractor in. I do not know what model B you have but some have extra lond axles and depending on how your wheels are set even with the regular axles it may not be possible to get it in due to the total width and then if you can I am sure that the only way to get to the end that went in first would be to craul over the tractor to get in or out. Now if they are only ment for rail or barge shippment then the width might be wider and alow the clearance you need for the wheels-axles that a 10' wide unit would allow but you probably would have to craul over the tractor to get to first end in. That means that if you drove it in that even to put gas in you would have to craul over the tractor to do it. Now if it was something like the N series Fords the 8 1/2" could work but still be tight. Have no idea what else you might want to put in But like other poster said set 2 side by side and roof over for your tractor storage and use container for storage of other things or use one for a secure locable shop.
 

You all gave me points to consider. I don't need much room for the tractor, so a twenty foot one would be enough. I might even have room for my pallets of coal. I thought about condensation and planned on putting in some vents. I thought about putting a roof on it to make it look less like a box, and to help keep the rain out. The width may be a problem though. I exit the tractor on the front. Maybe if I put a walk in door at that spot getting to the tractor might be a little easier. I'm too crippled up with the arthritis in my spine to build a shed, and if I paid to have it done it would only drive up the cost. I might be able to manage putting a roof on the container if I got a little help from someone, but the roof would only be an option if it leaked. I'll think all this through till spring gets here.
 
Check local zoning regulations. They are not allowed as permanent storage around here.
 
Being ex military ive been in and out of hundreds.
They measure 7'8" wide inside. If you can fit a case
tractor in that im impressed.
 
(quoted from post at 16:40:07 12/25/15) Being ex military ive been in and out of hundreds.
They measure 7'8" wide inside. If you can fit a case
tractor in that im impressed.
Click to expand...

I know it will be tight. I'll need to go over my tractor with a tape measure. I do know that the snow bucket is seven feet wide, and it's wider than the tractors rear wheels.
 
I have seen two of these set some distance apart and then trusses and a roof built right over then using the tops to anchor to work real well for a shed. You would have storage in each side and as much room in the middle as you wanted to build for.
 
(quoted from post at 11:14:47 12/25/15) Zoning or the neighbors would never let me get away with that.
Click to expand...

I also would never want to treat my neighbors that way. I do not live in dog patch.
 
Just about every construction site around here has those for storage; some even have them for on site office buildings.

They are tight for getting a tractor in; and in my area will condensate and drip on the inside unless you do major work to keep them dry; and should be kept off the ground or they will rot.

But in a dryer area they are great because you could never build a shed as theft proof or secure.
 
If I was going to do this my advise would be to do it
like diesel rider says. Seen it over seas many times
works well in a desert anyway.
 
I have seen pictures of several of these containers set up like ed will described and if done right they are nicer looking and a stronger building than any pole barn built. The ones I saw looked as good or better than a pole barn.
 
I work for a school district that use them all the time. My advice would be when buying one make sure that there is no rust on it. Some of the units come from our shipping ships and the rust container will be the wrost ones to get. Check the door hinges and make sure it opens nice. If you are like me and live near the ocean these containers might have rust on them so check them out before you buy.Good luck.
 
I heard these containers only make one trip across the pond. If so seams like they are not made with good materials. I have seen plastic covered structures made with pipes advertised. may be another option. There again you may be replacing the plastic cover every few years. Stan
 
I know of several sheds like the one in the picture. They work well. Just a single container would be tight for storing a tractor. Also the condensation is an issue if your opening the doors all of the time. For long term storage they are fine as they do not get so wet inside. I have to that I use for parts storage and they are fine for that. I buy the containers that have bad doors. I then frame a 7x9 overhead garage door in them. It works better if your going to set them on the ground. Also you can buy them a lot cheaper than one with good doors.

a good friend bought one that had been a reefer unit. It is insulated. He uses it as a small work shop. He can heat it with a smaller electric heater in the coldest times.

Also check your local real estate laws. Here they are considered temporary storage and are not subject to real estate taxes.
a209503.jpg
 
A lot of zoning regulations don't allow containers for storage unless it's commercial. Buildings must be stick built. Otherwise hillbilly's would be living in them.
 
I saw two set apart and set up higher with about 20 or so ft.apart and than roofed over with truss's. than the guy had 4 overhead doors on each container facing each other. he kept "Stuff" on shelves, and could get to any part of the containers, front to back. his were 40 ft. units....We are in a vary dry climate....Jim in N.M.
 
I have 2 like this..

http://www.truckpaper.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=6578923

On one my uncle removed the landing gear and wheels and set it on the ground, What he has under it I don't know it was part of the deal when I brought his property that was joining mine. The other is still on wheels I plan to move it to its permanent location soon. In the 10 years I have owned them I have never had any issues with leaks are condensation with them.
The both have wood interior walls on the sides wood floors and aluminum body.

The tax man has never hit me up on them :shock:
 
One more thing you need to consider is the width of a blade on the front or rear of the tractor fitting into the container. My implements are usually wider than the tractor such as a boxblade. I don't know how wide a snow blade is, but you might want to consider that. Be a pain in the rear to have remove it every time to park the tractor. :shock:
 
They are not made of cheap stuff because they stack them up .They are most likely cheaper to use new ones than pay the freight charges to ship them back empty.
 
I've had a 40' container for 5 years. I have parts and 2 tractors in there. I have a Massey Harris 44 and 444 in there. I have to take the muffler off of the 444.
I was on this site (in the tool talk section) a couple of months ago. We had a discussion on venting these containers. I ended up putting a couple of vents on each side. One is lower, just above the floor and the other near the top. That should provide some ventilation especially in the summer. I like mine and it is very solid. A friend got one from the same place I got mine, his was more lighter duty. I told him to go pick one out, but he didn't take the time, he just had them deliver it.
DWF
 
What your uncle got was a storage semi trailer which has axles and wheels fastened to it .A storage container has no under carriage under it and built heavier than a semi trailer.
 
Worth looking into. Bought a retired reefer unit, set it on RR ties, installed clear sky light siding over hole left by cooling unit. Due to insulation and interior wall/ceiling panels have no condensation issues.After age takes it's tool on reefer units they only have scrap value as they are too heavy for for normal transport. Mine stayed put during 100mph winds 8 years ago.
 
Hi, I think I would be great. Just need some
ventilation. I saw 2 placed side by side with a roof
placed between. He had put Windows in the
containers. Merry Christmas. Ed will oliver bc
 
(quoted from post at 09:37:11 12/25/15) I heard these containers only make one trip across the pond. If so seams like they are not made with good materials. I have seen plastic covered structures made with pipes advertised. may be another option. There again you may be replacing the plastic cover every few years. Stan
Click to expand...

They are mostly designed to make many trips across the oceans. The problem is that there is far less freight coming into US than going out and it is cheaper to build new ones than to ship empty ones back. When they first started using them freight was going both ways. That is why there are so many for sale.
 
The forty foot one I bought included delivery. I bought it for emergency storage and is not needed for that any more, so I have some unneeded tools in it and an Allis B and JD D. It's close to get by the D. I haven't had any issue with condensation, as long as you aren't changing the air you don't get much condensation.

The issue I would see would be getting the doors open when there is much snow on the ground.

As someone else suggested, look at the carports that are available for about $700. They can be made higher and decked to the ground and closed in on one end. Pretty good cheap storage.
 
My son has two of them. One with windows set up for an office. The other for storage. He parks them on a industrial lot that he rents for his business where he parks equipment. It cost him 250 bucks to have one moved if needed. They work out good for his needs.
 
(quoted from post at 16:45:37 12/25/15)
(quoted from post at 16:40:07 12/25/15) Being ex military ive been in and out of hundreds.
They measure 7'8" wide inside. If you can fit a case
tractor in that im impressed.
Click to expand...

I know it will be tight. I'll need to go over my tractor with a tape measure. I do know that the snow bucket is seven feet wide, and it's wider than the tractors rear wheels.
Click to expand...

I measured my Case 530 the other day. I can park the tractor and two pallets of coal in a twenty foot shipping container. I like the idea of using one of these for the reasons of cost, time it takes to build a building, and if/when I move I can take it with me. Our zoning laws are pretty relaxed around here, so I won't have any trouble with that. I do see in their price list that a twenty foot wind and water tight container is the cheapest. I wonder why? I guess that's one question I'll have to ask when I call them.
 
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