Tractor shed size

[MattA]

I'm trying to get some projects done this fall including getting a shed. I've been using PTO for half day Fridays at work which allows me a few extra hours for projects.

I've picked out a lofted barn style shed with 8x7 garage door (could go 9x7... but it looks funny on a 12' wide shed). I was planning a 12'x20' shed with lofts but when planning where things would go I got worried about having enough space to work on stuff. Probably going with 12'x24'. After seeing the standard work bench and shed options, I decided to build my own. I'd like them bigger and stronger to hold my tractor stuff. This will also give more time to plan where things will go. I've also seen some neat DIY hoist/track setups for sheds/barns. Floor thickness, joist and truss upgrades will all be purchased (upgrade cost is minimal).

TBD on the site prep. Crusher run stone and limestone mix was recommended. I may do it with the Johnny bucket. Lead time is 7-9 weeks.

One area of concern is shed security... also need to pull a shed permit.

I'm open to suggestions from the experienced guys

Front

Side garage entrance

Lofts

Floor plan

[DavidBarkey]

Are you going to run hydro to it ? If yes , motion lights on outside and inside with real or fake cameras is a good deturant . Locks only keep out amature thieves . Use a man door for entrance and put locks on inside out of sight . If no hydro solar , solar lights and real or fake wifi cameras are available . Have the ramp on the inside made to fold out on hinge or perminate outside from patio slabs on built up earth .
Use large 1/2" plywood gussets on both sides on the trusses at peak and mid joint . Use collar ties at centre of mid joint on trusses and use the gussets to fasten them . This will give you a high ceiling point to attach lighting ect and dramatically increase snow load capacity.

[MattA]

The shed dealer recommended the metal roof since snow should slide right off it. Actually looks decent with a regular door.

[sdunt]

Floor to Ceiling height, if necessary only in one end, allows you to use Pallet Racking to store things vertically. Mower Desks can go on pallet racking, as can snowcasters, etc.

I would spend the $$ for steel siding and roof off the bat, then you don't have to repaint it every 7 years. I would agree you need to push for as much square footage as possible. Leave out interior walls and the ceiling, etc. Also compacted re-cycled asphalt millings will make a really nice floor, that 5 years from now is a perfect base to pour a cement floor on top of.

[MattA]

The shed's base is made up of a pair of 4"x6" skids that run length wise and in my case I opted for the 2"x6" joists on 12" centers with 3/4" flooring. Standard option is Joists on 16" centers with 5/8" flooring. The upgrade wasn't a whole lot more money. Recommend base for the shed is "crusher run" which is basically a crushed stone/stone dust mix that compacts hard and drains well. The shed guys recommended somebody to build the base locally for around $1700. I'm likely going to dig the base out with my johnny bucket and order the 3/4" processed gravel/stone dust mix locally. Its $52/yard delivered. I'll likely target the gravel base being 4-6" deep and extend the gravel about a foot beyond the shed. I'm also going to build the ramp to the garage door and put gravel under the ramp. That's my plan for now and as usual I'm open to ideas.

[Toolslinger]

Ideally, you want to strip any topsoil off before you start laying your base. Depending on your specific location, it might be more than the 6". If you had to go further, you could start with small gravel before you go to crusher run to give it a little more ability to drain. Probably just as easy to stick to all crush though, it's not like you're putting in a skyscraper.

Crusher will also build, and pack fine on its own for the ramp. No real need for anything beyond that unless you want something like pavers on top.

Lock it all together with a plate compactor and it will stay there just about forever.

[DavidBarkey]

I am assuming the floor joist are pressure treated or some other rot resistant lumber . Consider this for the floor , instead of wood lay patio stones on the joist . You do need to plan ahead as the joints must land on the joists . I did this for my shed at the old place in Barrie to avoid permits and worked fabulously. Never ware or rot . Critters can not chew through it , drains through the joints . I wood put joist guard membrane on top of the joist first and use blocking to keep the joist centre from twisting or shifting . This was done in an 8x12 shed with 8 foot ceiling and brick veneer on front . It sat on a dozen deck blocks and gravel .

This it at the old place in Barrie.

[Spike188]

Our baby barn is 24 years old. The floor up to the time of the shop build was 2 x 2 pavers and the shed sat on them.The base of the shed is treated 4×4's and now sits on gravel. The original intent was to cut an access door above the roll-up door for attic storage. The attic is still used for storage but accessed from inside the shed. The shed footprint is 10 x10. The hight was partially due to being a shed for forklift storage.The 646L with 3 point hitch just fits with a few inches to spare.