4 Pointers to Know When You’re Planning Your First Machinery Shed

If you’re an Australian farmer or you own an agricultural business, then you will need an extensive range of machinery and tools to keep all your processes running smoothly. An equally essential aspect to consider is how you’re going to store this equipment. You may have to install a few storage sheds.

Having a few machinery sheds installed on your property is the most effective way to store your equipment as safely as possible. A wide range of shed designs and available materials makes it easier than ever to install a storage shed that enhances overall security and functionality.

Shed Selection is Easier than You Think

When you first start thinking about a storage shed for your machinery, you may think it’s going to be a complex job that’s going to be costly. Fortunately, modern advancements in the shed industry have made it quick and simple to install a pre-fabricated shed anywhere on your property. With this in mind, our team of shed designers have compiled a list of the top pointers to keep in mind when you’re considering your first shed.

1.      Choose the Most Convenient Location

The first factor you need to give some serious thought to involves choosing the best location for your machinery shed. If you’re adding a shed to your backyard, you may not have many options.

However, if you’re planning a shed for your farm, you will need to choose a location where it will be easy to drive machinery in and out of. Here you can consider adding a concrete pathway or even giving the shed a drive through option.

Another key factor to consider is the direction of prevailing winds. To keep your shed as safe as possible, you should install your shed away from the typical wind direction. Your shed installer will assist you with recommendations for this.

2.      Assess Your Overall Storage Needs

It’s essential to assess exactly what your exact storage needs are. This includes current and future storage plans. Many farmers opt for storage sheds with features that can easily be adjusted such as adding panels to increase width or height as storage needs change. This is especially helpful if you’re planning to upgrade your machinery down the line.

Experts also recommend keeping any machinery separate from organic products such as hay since this can create a fire hazard. If you were hoping to incorporate hay bales and machinery in one space, it may be a better idea to separate the spaces in the shed with a wall, doors, or even a completely different space altogether. A popular option is to build a three-sided hay shed that makes storage and equipment removal both safe and easy.

3.      Review Design Options

It may be quick and easy to buy a pre-designed kit which can be installed in a couple of hours. However, many farmers prefer to take the time to design a shed that encompasses all their storage needs.

Common options to consider include three-sided drive-through options or large structures with garage-type doors on two sides. Keep in mind that some of your insurance options may require a lockable space for your machinery. This may affect the type of shed and features that you will be able to settle for.

You will also want to create a design that makes parking and removing your machinery as easy and convenient as possible. Opting for an Australian-made steel shed means that you can customise your shed to suit your exact needs, no matter how much they differ from the one-size-fits-all shed approach.

4.      Consider Customising Your Shed

Australian steel sheds are exceptionally popular because they are highly customisable. This means that you can create the perfect shed by choosing from a range of different features and add-ons.

Designing your shed means that you can add as many parking bays as you need to dispatch or receive stock. You can also choose the clearance height of the roof based on the size of your tallest machine.

All reputable shed installers will allow for a wide range of add-ons that can enhance the functionality of your new shed. A few of the more impressive features to choose from include the following:

• Doors to accommodate the size of your shed
• Sliding glass doors if you’re going to convert a part of the shed into a workshop
• The use of concrete or natural flooring
• Fibreglass skylights
• Insulation
• Windows
• COLOURBOND cladding in a wide range of colours to match existing architecture
• Roof ventilation
• Personal access doors
• Roller doors in manual and motorised options

Adding a skillion roof and a guttering system to your shed will facilitate any rainwater harvesting initiatives that you may have. Skillion roofs also go a long way toward keeping rain out of your shed.

Final Thoughts

A strategically placed shed will not only keep your farming equipment safe and dry but will also go a long way toward making your business more organised. Speak to your local shed supplier for the best designs that will accommodate all your storage needs.