Life and Care of Farm Machinery in Colorado. 
i5 
THE IMPLEMENT HOUSE. 
It is not always necessary or advisable to construct a special building 
for storing farm machinery. Often a very good place can be made in the 
barn or other buildings. By taking some of the parts off of certain ma¬ 
chines, they can be easily stored in what otherwise might be waste space. 
The characteristics of a good implement shed are: 
1. It must be thoroughly drained so the implements do not stand in 
a wet place. 
2. It must protect against sun, wind and moisture. 
3. It must not be too expensive. 
4. It should be located in a convenient spot and so arranged as to 
be easily used. 
The material from which the shed is made will depend upon the cost 
and the locality. In the investigation, very good sheds were found which 
were of wood frame construction, covered with sheet iron. Other good 
ones were found of wood frame construction, sided with barn siding, drop 
siding, and in some places with ship-lap. Shingles or corrugated iron 
generally make the best roofs for machine sheds. 
Description of Shed Shown in Plates 6 and 7 
This shed was built on a Colorado farm and has been in use for 
several years. The owner makes a practice of storing his machinery as 
it should be. 
Plate 6. An Excellent Closed Machine Shed. For plans see Plate 7. 
The shed is built upon posts which rest upon concrete bases 12 inches 
by 12 inches. A strong iron dowel pin set in the concrete and projecting 
up into the post keeps the latter from slipping. The sides of the shed are 
8 feet high. The roof is one-third pitch, shingled. Rafters 2 in. x 6 in. x 
3 ft. on center. The lower girt is 2 in. x 6 in., the middle girt (placed 
just below the windows) is 2 in. x 6 in., while the upper girt is 2 in x 8 
in. and serves as plate. 
As the posts do not extend into the ground, it is necessary to brace 
the sides and ends of the shed. Braces also extend from the side posts to 
the collar beams, where the rafters come nearly over the posts. On the 
south side at the west end is a rolling door 7 feet 6 inches high by 8 feet 
long. At the east end the opening is 8 feet high by 10 feet wide. It is 
covered by two rolling doors 5 feet by 8 feet. 
