A drive-through shed can be an absolute no-brainer for on-farm machinery storage – and there are some good reasons why.
Firstly, a drive-through shed is the most cost-effective way to store both long and wide machinery. The configuration provides excellent value for money compared to upsizing the span, increasing bay widths or creating a double bay opening.
Secondly, it is the easiest way to store both long and wide machinery. For example, there is no reversing required and you don’t have to unhook trailers or implements.
In other words, a drive-through shed is cost-effective without sacrificing functionality.
And on top of that, the drive-through shed configuration can be easily customised. For example, installing sliding doors with an outrigger system allows you to increase weather protection and still take advantage of the wide gable openings.
Other customisation options include gable infills or flashings, and for larger open gable sheds it can be a good idea to install sliding doors on the long side too. This ensures all the machinery can be easily accessed.
It was for many of these reasons that Stuart Hutchins chose an Action drive-through shed to upgrade and upsize his on-farm machinery storage.
Stuart’s shed is a great example of an open gable, drive-through machinery shed.
Read on to learn all about the project.
Drive-Through Shed Project Overview
A third-generation farmer in the Narrandera area and farming approx. 5,000 hectares, Stuart needed to upsize his machinery storage to keep up with his expanding operation.
An Action drive-through shed was the perfect solution.
Size: 42.5m (L) x 24m (W) x 6.75m (H)
Location: Landervale NSW.
Download the NSW Farm Sheds Brochure to learn about more Action shed builds across the state.
Build Date: 2022
Stuart Shares His Action Experience
Watch the video below to learn about Stuart’s experience working with the Action team – then scroll on to learn about the project in detail. We have also included a handy price guide which might be useful if you are planning a similar drive-through shed project.
Drive-Through Shed Project Details
Like with any good farm shed design, there are several details that make this shed a winner.
Using A Standard Size
It’s hard to go past a standard size span and bay spacings as a sure way to create a cost-effective and functional shed.
This shed utilises a 24 metre wide span which is by far the most popular standard span option. It is cost-efficient and fast to manufacture and combined with the drive-through configuration provides a cost-effective 24 metre wide opening – with not columns in the way.
This span works well for Stuart’s storage requirements as it allows him to store wide machinery and still safely move other equipment in and out of the shed.
You can learn more about the Standard Size Span Range here – What Are The Standard Spans For Farm Sheds? This article includes other span suggestions for machinery sheds too.
For machinery shed bay spacings we usually recommend between 8 and 9 metres, and Stuart has hit the sweet spot with 8.5 metre bay spacings.
For open-front machinery sheds, 8.5-metre bay widths provide extra ‘wriggle room” when loading and unloading the shed.
In Stuart’s case with a drive-through shed, they provide the best value for money.
This is because 8.5-metre bay spacings use the same amount of purlins as an 8-metre bay. In other words, you are getting more storage space out of the materials – or a bigger shed at no extra cost.
Choosing The Right Height
One of the most important dimensions to get right in any shed design is the height. This is because it is incredibly difficult to change the height once a shed has been installed.
For machinery sheds we usually recommend a minimum clearance of 6 metres – especially for cropping enterprises. If the shed includes a canopy, sliding doors, roller doors or a gable infill then an additional 500mm or more should be included.
Stuart opted for a height of 6.75m which accommodates any loss of clearance from the gable flashing infill and also helps future-proof the shed from increasing machinery sizes.
Height is quite cost-efficient so it is a good idea to go a bit higher than you need right now.
Capitalising On A Smart Configuration
We often say it, and it is certainly true, that a drive-through shed can provide a win-win situation.
By building a drive-through shed, Stuart can now:
1. Store long and wide machinery, easily.
2. Store long and wide machinery, cost-effectively.
For example, if an 18-metre wide opening is required, an 18-metre span open gable shed will be more cost-effective than using a girder truss between two 9-metre bays to create a double-bay.
Similarly, if you require a length of 27 metres, a 27-metre-long open gable shed will be more cost-effective than a 27-metre-wide open front shed.
However, the best choice will depend on your storage requirements and site.
The Finishing Details
As we mentioned earlier, there are a number of ways that a drive-through shed can be customised, including:
- Gable infills
- Sliding doors in the gable with an outrigger system
- Sliding doors in the long side for easy access to machinery in the middle of the shed
- Skylights to take advantage of the natural light
- A concrete slab in view of converting the shed into a workshop.
A finishing touch to Stuart’s shed is the partial gable infill which creates a very neat finish and limits the impact on the clearance.
farm shed prices are always a popular topic!
So, if you are wondering whether a project like Stuart’s would fit into your budget, next up is a handy price guide.
Drive-Through Shed Price Guide
The cost to build a similar drive-through shed in 2024 would be approx. $145,000 – $185,000 including GST and installation. This will depend on details like your location and how you choose to customise the design.
So, that’s a summary of Stuart’s drive-through shed and why the design works well!
If you are planning a machinery shed build, you might also get some inspiration from the videos below with Ben and Col
Ben’s Action Machinery Shed With Drive-Through Bays
Col’s Classic Open-Front Shed
It’s hard to go wrong with an open-front shed: cost-effective, versatile and customisable. Colin’s shed at Kotupna in northern Victoria is a great example.
For more videos and resources, check out the Learning Hub. Or to discuss your drive-through shed project with a building consultant, call us on 1800 687 88 – we would love to hear from you.
