Choosing the size of your implement shed sounds straightforward. Measure your biggest piece of machinery, make sure the shed is large enough to fit it and you're ready to go.
Not quite.
A farm equipment storage shed needs enough space to store your machinery, move it in and out easily, and access what you need without a hassle. Equally, you don't want to pay for space you don't need, and getting that balance right takes a little more planning than simply measuring your biggest machine.
In this guide, you'll learn what to consider when choosing the size of your implement shed, from measuring your current machinery and planning for the storage of any future equipment purchases.
There isn't a standard implement shed size that will suit every farm. A small operation storing a tractor and a handful of attachments will have very different requirements from a larger farm with multiple tractors, trailers and specialised machinery.
The right size starts with what you need to store, but that's only part of the equation. You also need to consider how much room your machinery needs around it, how you'll get equipment in and out, where you'll keep smaller tools and implements, and whether your storage requirements are likely to change later.
Working through these factors before choosing your shed dimensions can help you avoid paying for space you don't need — or building a shed that becomes cramped sooner than expected.
Before looking at implement shed plans or deciding how many bays you need, get clear on exactly what needs to go inside your shed. Include equipment that may only need to be stored at certain times of the year.
List everything you want to keep under cover, starting with larger machinery such as tractors, loaders, trailers and mowers before adding attachments, implements and other equipment that will need its own storage space.
Measure your equipment rather than relying on estimates, paying particular attention to your tallest, widest and longest machines, including any attachments that may remain connected during storage.
Think about how everything could sit together, as even a rough idea of where your machinery will go will give you a good starting point for choosing the overall dimensions of your farm implement shed.
Knowing the dimensions of your machinery gives you a starting point, but don't design your farm equipment storage shed around those measurements alone. Your equipment needs to fit comfortably, not just technically.
Allow room to move around your machinery, including enough clearance to open cab doors, access controls and safely walk between equipment.
Consider how you'll handle attachments and implements, particularly if you'll need space to connect, remove or access them while equipment is under cover.
Make sure individual machines remain accessible, so you don't have to move several pieces of equipment every time you need to get one tractor, implement or attachment out.
Your machinery has to get into the shed just as easily as it fits inside it. That means your opening sizes, bays and access to the shed need to be designed around your equipment.
Check the full width and height of your largest machinery, including cabins, mirrors, exhausts and attachments that extend beyond the main dimensions of the machine.
Think about how equipment will access each bay, allowing enough space to manoeuvre larger machinery rather than assuming that fitting through the opening is enough.
Prioritise easy access to frequently used equipment, so your shed layout doesn't leave you constantly shifting one machine to reach another.
Large machinery might determine much of your shed size, but smaller items can take up more room than you expect. Tools, spare parts, and implements need to be included in your plans rather than squeezed into whatever space is left.
Allow dedicated space for tools, parts and smaller implements, using shelving, racks or designated storage areas where appropriate.
Include any work areas you know you'll need, such as a workbench or space for basic maintenance, when calculating your overall floor space.
Think about organisation as well as capacity, because giving smaller equipment a designated home can keep your machinery space clear and make the things you use regularly easier to access.
Your implement shed needs to work for the equipment you own today, but it's worth considering how your requirements could realistically change over the next few years.
Think about likely machinery upgrades, as the size of farm machinery is only increasing, with each new model of equipment being physically bigger than the last.
Consider equipment you expect to add, whether that's another implement, trailer or piece of machinery that will eventually need space undercover.
So, you've listed the machinery and farm implements you need to store. You've measured your largest equipment, thought about how much room you need around it, considered access and shed openings, and allowed for tools and future purchases. Now you can start turning those requirements into an actual shed design.
Rather than choosing a standard shed size and hoping everything fits, you can use what you've learned to make more informed decisions about the number and size of bays, opening dimensions, shed height and overall floor space.
When you're ready to discuss implement shed plans with a shed designer, have your equipment list and measurements handy. It's also worth noting any specific requirements around access, additional storage and equipment you're likely to add in the future. For an implement shed in NZ, your final design should also take your site and the way you operate into account, so the layout, access points, height and clearances work for your specific requirements.
Once you understand your implement storage needs, talk to a shed supplier that can provide an efficient shed design that's based around your specific needs and requirements.
Alpine has manufactured and delivered more than 5,000 custom-designed sheds over the past 30+ years, built around the needs of farmers right across New Zealand.
Ready to start planning your implement shed? You can use our shed configurator tool to design your own shed, then input your address and see how it fits on your site.
Or you can talk to the Alpine team about your machinery, storage requirements and site, and they can help you work through the right size and design for your farm.
What is a good size for an implement shed?
There isn't one ideal implement shed size for every farm. The right size depends on the machinery and implements you need to store, the clearance required around them, your access needs, and whether you expect your equipment requirements to change.
What should you consider when planning a farm equipment storage shed?
Consider the size and number of machines you need to store, bay and opening dimensions, clearance around equipment, access to frequently used machinery and space for tools, attachments and other implements. It's also worth allowing for realistic future equipment purchases so your shed doesn't become too small too quickly.
What else should I consider when planning an implement shed?
Beyond the shed size, your choice of building materials is another important factor, with both steel and timber sheds offering different benefits.
You'll also want to consider bird-proofing your shed to help protect your equipment from unwanted visitors.