doc724 925 #1 Posted May 27, 2014 Unlike many of you, I don't have a big barn or shed to store this indoors and I do not plan to leave it on my tractor. I could leave it in my wife's garage space but we all know how that will end. So, I plan to store it outside, on a concrete pad, and cover it with a suitable water proof tarp or similar. If I store it with the bucket in the normal "open up" position, I run the risk of rain or snow getting inside the bucket and rusting. So, I was thinking of storing it with the bucket "open down", ie the dump position. The only downside to this that I can think of is that the chromed cylinders will be exposed a bit. I don't perceive this as a problem as the chrome should not rust and the enclosure should be waterproof enough to keep direct rainor snow off them. So, my question: Is there something that I am overlooking and what do others of you do when storing outside? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 43,844 #2 Posted May 27, 2014 I would spray a rag with Wd 40 and wipe the rams. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shorts 182 #3 Posted May 27, 2014 If you were a little closer you could store it here, I'd even keep it in operating condition. Seriously if you are real concerned about the chrome on the cylinder rods search for some cosmoline storage protectant, it's a petroleum/paraffin product, warm it up and brush it on the chrome and then peel it off when you take it out of storage. save the cosmoline and remelt/reuse it next year Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leeave96 490 #4 Posted May 29, 2014 Why not turn the loader on its side? Cylinders retracted, bucket can't fill with water. Set it up on some 2x4's to keep it off the ground. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackC 617 #5 Posted May 29, 2014 You could wrap the exposed cylinders with some saran wrap to keep them protected. It should cling to the metal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forest Road 594 #6 Posted May 30, 2014 I store mine with bucket tipped forward in an open building. Bucket is just barely in the building. Haven't had any issues in 2 years. Machine gets used once every couple of months at the vacation house. I doubt spraying them with WD-40 would do any harm. Go for it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrc 954 #7 Posted May 30, 2014 hi don, although WD40 is o.k. i prefer fluid film because it sticks better. mike in mass. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cheesegrader 433 #8 Posted May 30, 2014 (edited) Manual recommends wiping cylinder rods with an oil soaked cloth, and storing in retracted position. Edited May 30, 2014 by cheesegrader Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
