Farm equipment is a large and important investment. Keep your operation running smoothly, cut down-time and lower repair costs by investing in a practical machinery storage shed.

A machinery shed enhances many aspects of farm operations.

Here are just a few of the benefits:

• Higher equipment trade-in value. Studies show that machinery stored indoors gets a higher re-sale price.
• Greater convenience. Store your equipment in one place and under one roof.
• More security. Machinery sheds protect your valuable gear.
• Multi-use. Machinery storage sheds are often intended to store other items such as seed, pesticides, and fertilizer. A modern farm shop can even be included in a storage shed.
• Better aesthetics. Your farm and home will have a more appealing look if equipment is stored indoors.

Location and First Considerations

Locate the best spot for your equipment and, subsequently, your doors. Ideally, doors should be placed away from prevailing winds to reduce the chance of wind damage. Your machinery shed should be built large enough to easily move equipment in and out. If possible, you'll want to move in, store and move out machinery without having to move any other equipment. Never combine machinery storage with livestock housing. The high moisture levels can lead to corrosion problems. Store hay apart in a different location from your machinery as it can be a fire hazard. [caption id="attachment_1295" align="aligncenter" width="643"] 48’ x 90’ x 16’ machine shed. Built by Integrity Post Structures.[/caption]

Planning the Facility

Consider your present and future storage needs for all of your farm operations. This could include lawn, garden and recreational equipment. Think ahead a minimum of three to five years for your future storage needs. How much space do you need? To estimate space requirements for your new machinery shed, staff at Integrity will do a thorough consultation with you regarding current and future storage needs. Al Williams, Partner at Integrity Post Structures, says, "We want to make sure that customers are well-prepared for the future. Farm operations can change and grow. In the planning stage, it's crucial to get that right."

Deciding on the Building Layout

We also work with you to determine the layout of your building. One consideration is to design your machinery shed with equipment traffic flow in mind. We review aspects of your daily and monthly operations so that you end up with a machinery shed that makes your life easier and adds value to your farm operations. [caption id="attachment_1294" align="alignright" width="450"] 70’ x 200’ x 100’ shop / machinery storage building. Built by Integrity Post Structures.[/caption]

Machinery-Access Door Options

You can choose from a wide range of insulated and uninsulated doors to fit your machinery, including sliding, bi-fold and overhead.  "We review all your options with you," says Williams. "We want you to end up with the best building for your needs."

Final Details

Other aspects to consider are the type of door, lighting and environmental controls. As with all other elements that go into planning a machinery shed, our expert staff at Integrity Post Structures are always ready to talk with you to discuss your building needs and fill you in on all your options. Get in touch with us to get started on building your vision.