Fabric tractor cover

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Double R

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We have a good size tractor. It lives in the old hay barn which is home to a lot of birds. Nests, babies and parents in the roof. They make a mess on the tractor and I’m tired of trying to keep a tarp between them and the tractor only to have the wind rip it down several times a year and so far avoided scratching the paint but it’s only a matter of time. I cover the tractor with mattress sheets but they blow off also. Even the elastic mattress cover ones. Thinking it’s time to make a big cover for it. What fabric y’all think would be best for this? Don’t want it to wear on the paint. Needs to be a barrier between the bird 💩, 🥚‘s that fall from the nests and the tractor paint. I was thinking elastic on the bottom to kind of wrap it around and hold it on. Obviously going to be A LOT of fabric. Anyone got any ideas on a design and what fabric to use?
Any thoughts would be appreciated
 
We were discussing putting tin roofing about but there’s not much to nail to that would withstand higher winds during winter. Tin coming down would definitely do damage to the tractor so we’ve held off. Will discuss wire with hubby tomorrow. Hadn’t thought about that yet. The owls are in the high peaks of the barn. That wouldn’t effect them at all. Great thought! Going to look at that tomorrow!
 
How about tarps with grommets on the edges, and use bungee cords to secure it?

We’ve been doing tarps since we got the tractor. Work well till wind. Tried bailing twine, bungees, screwed the grommets to the wood and wire to the grommets. All has failed in the winds.
The way the roof is it’s tin outside and wood boards inside with a gap between. Some sort of shingles in between but most are gone after all these years. That’s where the birds nest. Plenty of air space to catch wind. There’s support beams along parts of the inside of the roof that prevent the tarps from being completely up against the roof.
 
We’ve been doing tarps since we got the tractor. Work well till wind. Tried bailing twine, bungees, screwed the grommets to the wood and wire to the grommets. All has failed in the winds.
The way the roof is it’s tin outside and wood boards inside with a gap between. Some sort of shingles in between but most are gone after all these years. That’s where the birds nest. Plenty of air space to catch wind. There’s support beams along parts of the inside of the roof that prevent the tarps from being completely up against the roof.
Try covering the tractor itself and securing the tarps tightly around it by passing the bungee cords beneath the tractor.
 
Try covering the tractor itself and securing the tarps tightly around it by passing the bungee cords beneath the tractor.

We discussed that but we’re worried the flapping in the wind would ruin the paint. It’s a BIG tractor. No cab so lots of “open” space to flap. That’s why we were thinking fabric that wouldn’t wear on the paint and maybe I could add some way to secure it to specific parts on the tractor like the steering wheel, mirror, hitch etc. I had a vision of the little kid high chair liners I’ve seen parents use 😂 except no leg openings 🙃
 
That’s why it’s a challenge. It has cracks and crevices everywhere. Love the old barn but it does pose issues for using it for this sort of thing. But the side the tractor lives in is to short for hay (old milking area) and is just right for the tractor. But has been a challenge with the birds and the wind. Prevents weather and sun damage but washing the big kid all the time to keep the 💩 from destroying the paint is a pain.
This tractor is my Ferrari. The dealers don’t understand my desire to keep it as nice as possible. It’s a work horse and I use it as such but no reason it can’t be taken care of as best as possible.
 
How tall is your tractor? Could a car tent work? I know most car tents dry rot due to sun exposure, but in a barn it would have shade and could protect the tractor too. HF has them 10X17 about 7' high at the door for about $200. If you left the fabric off one end it would make for a big opening,
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Then the only thing I could think of would be to attach 2X4's along the inside of the barn, put screw hooks into them to support tarps, You could also attach a tarp to the bottom of the rafters using strips of wood to give the tarp support. A 1X3 can give a tarp a lot of strength if it is attached every foot(the tarp is clamped between 2 pieces of wood). Then I would be afraid of the wind catching the barn and it all go flying off like a big hang glider....

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You've mentioned winter winds... Are you talking about the Santa Ana's? If so that cloth carport would become a sail boat. I experienced them for several years and can understand why tarps wouldn't work.

The static electricity the Santa Ana's generate would cause me all sorts of problems... Problems with the large film processors used by X-ray departments. Film would stick and jam everywhere inside them.
 
To me it sounds like you need a solid home for it, whether its building up the barn or building a new shed for it. If your budget allows...a new building with concrete floor would be ideal. (Nicer for repairing it)
If I ever build mine I want to add in floor heat...
 
You've mentioned winter winds... Are you talking about the Santa Ana's? If so that cloth carport would become a sail boat. I experienced them for several years and can understand why tarps wouldn't work.

The static electricity the Santa Ana's generate would cause me all sorts of problems... Problems with the large film processors used by X-ray departments. Film would stick and jam everywhere inside them.

We get decent winds in the evening very often (not Santa Ana’s) and heavy winds during the winter. Cloth carports don’t last long here at all. Gave up on them years ago. We have to really secure our big metal carport to keep it grounded. So many around here don’t secure that stuff and end up damaging vehicles etc. See lots of trampolines in fences and fields too all bent up.
 
To me it sounds like you need a solid home for it, whether its building up the barn or building a new shed for it. If your budget allows...a new building with concrete floor would be ideal. (Nicer for repairing it)
If I ever build mine I want to add in floor heat...

If we could we surely would. Unfortunately not an option here.
 
Ah...would probably try screen door screen stapled to the rafters above the tractor then, combined with a cover. What is the make and model of your tractor? Probably expensive But youd think someone would make a decent cover. I've Never heard of paint wear from rubbing, crazy! For my log splitter I use a tarp with old milk jugs full of water tied to them...works very well for windy days, not sure if it runs much.
 

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