Category: How To (How I Did)

The versatility of shipping containers is not a new concept. However, their use and demands continue to evolve as time goes on. Investing in a shipping container can provide new opportunities and possibilities for many industrial and DIY projects. In this article, we’ll discuss some conversion tips to help you make the most of your shipping container.

New Or Used – Inspect the Container Thoroughly

Consider spending time inspecting the container you choose for any severe damages. These units can take a considerable amount of abuse while in transit, and though they are incredibly durable, things happen.

Walk the interior of your container to check the seams, then take a close look at the exterior and highlight potential problem areas. Keep all your findings in mind as you proceed with the conversion process because some areas may need more immediate attention.

Focus On the Floor

After your new or used container arrives, it’s time to plan its conversion. If the container was well-loved in its previous life, the flooring will not suffice for a new build. It’s likely an unfinished natural wood that may be unstable or heavily damaged.

Create your desired floor plan, then start chipping away at the floor. You may need to rebuild the entire flooring to ensure it’s reliable for a new interior setup. Additionally, you should factor in the foot traffic it may experience and accommodate for high-traffic pathways with suitable reinforcements.

Invest In Climate Control

The overall affordability and incredible strength of a shipping container is one of reasons why they’re so appealing to many. These units are powerhouses when it comes to withstanding various weather conditions, relocations, and design concepts. But internal climate control can vary.

Regardless of how you intend to use your converted shipping container, invest time and resources into the climate control features to ensure adequate accommodations. One of the best ways to achieve this is by installing solar panels because the roof’s relatively flat structure.

Consider The Height

Shipping containers come in various sizes, but the best way to create more space is to consider a taller option. You can build things upward to maximize your space without creating a clunky environment at the ground level.

If you plan to use your container for living quarters, a taller version can offer a loft space to elevate your living experience without compromising overall comfortability. Another excellent tip for converting your shipping container is to accommodate for future space when building out the ceiling and flooring. The taller the container, the more space you’ll have for additions.

With how abundant these units are, getting your hands on a container is relatively simple. Whether they’re new or used, and no matter the project, remember to let your creativity fly when converting your new-to-you shipping container!

As the years go on, your heavy equipment endures a lot of wear and tear. It can be easy to forget about maintenance and let your construction equipment fall into disrepair.

The ultimate goal is to prolong the life of your heavy equipment. With these four tips for maintaining aging construction equipment, your heavy equipment will be running for years down the road.

Know Your Equipment

Each piece of heavy equipment is different and requires different types of care. Make sure you know the steps you need to take care of each piece. This can be as simple as checking the owner’s manual or doing an online search for the specific piece of equipment you own.

Clean Your Equipment Weekly

If you are proactive and clean your heavy equipment on a weekly basis, you may never have to deep clean your equipment ever again! Keeping up with this task will prolong the life of your equipment. This includes cleaning off mud and leaves as well as looking out for any rust that might form.

Inspect Equipment on a Regular Basis

While you’re cleaning, don’t forget to check the condition of your equipment. Conducting bi-weekly checks is vital to ensure your equipment doesn’t become run-down and unusable. If you don’t maintain your equipment, the chances that you must buy an entirely new piece will increase.

These can be quick inspections, such as checking fluid levels, making sure no fluids are leaking, checking for any unusual noises on moving parts, and looking for rusted or worn-down spots.

If you are utilizing certain pieces of heavy equipment more often, then you may want to conduct weekly inspections on those pieces instead of bi-weekly checks. Frequent inspections for issues will allow you to be proactive and quickly order replacement parts so that you can get things back up and running.

Find Where To Purchase Replacement Parts

Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts are manufactured by the companies that make a product’s original parts; therefore, they will pair perfectly with your equipment. This can be a great way to find replacement parts when you need them because they are manufactured by the original brand that you bought from.

In some cases, however, you might own an older model or a brand that doesn’t make replacement parts anymore. If you’re in this situation, aftermarket parts may be the right solution for you. These parts are manufactured by a different company than the original manufacturer, and this means you can find more options that work with your unique piece of equipment.

Aftermarket products are not of lesser quality. They can simply allow you to find the right product you’re looking for. OEM parts are harder to come by for older models, so it could be beneficial to learn more about purchasing aftermarket heavy equipment parts.

Every well-oiled machine needs detailed care to run properly. Applying these four tips for maintaining aging construction equipment is the most effective way to ensure it lasts for the years to come.

For much of the United States, harsh winter weather is a fact of life, and that means it’s a fact of life for the animals we keep too. Our horses especially struggle through this season since they’re in barns. You have to prepare your barn for the winter and prepare the animals themselves to protect them from the freezing weather. Keep reading to learn how to prepare your horses for harsh winter weather and keep your animals safe.

Prepare for Emergencies

Accidents seem to happen more in the winter, so you need to prepare your horses and your barn for emergencies, including physical injuries to your horses. Have an equine first aid kit prepared with basic medications as well as basic supplies that can last several days in case snow traps your horses in their barn. This includes having enough feed and water for your horses. If you’re unsure how much to plan for, estimate 12–20 gallons of water per horse and 12–15 pounds of hay and other feed, depending on your horse’s diet.

Keep Blankets Handy

Most of your horses shouldn’t need blankets to get through the winter as long as they stay dry and have good shelter. However, older and younger horses may need blankets to help them get through the harshest parts of the winter. You may also want to have blankets if you and your horse have recently moved to a colder area and your horse has never experienced freezing temperatures. Make sure the blankets are well-fitted on your horse to avoid friction injuries and ensure that the blanket stays dry.

Check Hooves Regularly

Although horse hooves tend to grow slowly in the winter, they’re also more at risk of damaging their hooves on the hard ground. Ice and snow can also easily pack into their hooves, putting them at greater risk of falling or injuring their legs. Pick your horse’s hooves daily to prevent this ice or snow buildup, especially if it’s snowing or sleeting outside. You can also put snow pads over their hooves before they go out. Keep up a trimming schedule of every 6–12 weeks depending on the age of the horse and their activity level.

Important steps toward preparing your horses for harsh winter weather include stocking for emergencies, having blankets handy, and checking their hooves regularly. These precautions will help make sure your horses stay healthy throughout the frigid winter months.