Are these pieces still being used during the growing season?  Or
are you just trying to preserve them?
 
        As per other replies, tarps are often the worst scenario to trap
moisture.  Air circulation is the key.  Farm equipment kept under open
sided sheds can survive quite well for decades if the building openings
are away from the prevailing wind and light and air can circulate.  The
floor surface is also a big factor.  Moisture from the floor surface
(whatever it is) and the chemistry of the soil will have a big effect on
the machinery sitting above it over time.
 
        Rather than WD-40, an industrial penetrating lubricant and
corrosion inhibitor such as CRC 3-36 will be much more effective if
re-applied regularly to equipment sitting outside.  The CRC line
includes a wide range of corrosion inhibitor products varying in
viscosity and protective qualities.  Several are designed for the
protection of heavy equipment that is going to sit outside indefinitely,
including some products with military specs.  Vehicle conservator
Malcolm Collum, formerly with The Henry Ford and now with the
Smithsonian's National Air & Space Museum, recommended CRC products and
has written about their long-term use in museum collections. 
 
http://www.crcindustries.com/auto/content/search_results.aspx
 
        CRC 3-36 can be purchased from hardware wholesaler such as
grainger.com.
 
Todd Stockwell
Curator of Agriculture, Industry and Technology
Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites
650 W. Washington Street
Indianapolis, Indiana  46204-2725
(317) 232-8270
 
 

________________________________

From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of L Poling
Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 12:58 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Preserving Farm Equipment



Greetings! I am wondering if anyone can offer advice on how to
treat/preserve old farm equipment. We have several large pieces
including a manure spreader, seeder, and a few wagons. Unfortunately, we
do not have room in our barn for storing these pieces during the winter
months so we have been covering them with tarps. The donor had
previously treated these pieces by brushing old motor oil on the metal
and creosote on the wood. One other source suggested brushing the metal
with WD-40 and treating the wood with an equal parts mixture of boiled
linseed oil and turpentine.

 

Thankfully, the donor is willing to pay for any chemicals/supplies
necessary, as well as new tarps. Are the methods listed above
acceptable, or is there a better way to treat these pieces?

 

If you would like to respond off-list:
[log in to unmask]

 

Many thanks for any suggestions or advice!

 

 

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