Basic theft prevention

[azbinder]

Get a trailer...

My thought too. Tractor is not that big. And it's only an hour from home.

 

[sixdogs]

My first option would be not to leave it there. Get a trailer and haul it home.

If I had to leave it I would chain the front and rear wheels together with a 3/8" chain and two locks.Plus I would make an ignition disconnect hidden underneath and then chain the tractor to something immovable with alloy chain and super locks. Maybe also remove some linkage so it won't go into or out of gear.

Even then, it will be stolen or set on fire and the aggravation of not getting what you think it's worth will make you wish you had owned a trailer and hauled it home.


I forgot to add a tamper-proof fuel cap lock so some JD doesn't decide to whiz in the tank and even the score since you have a tractor and he doesn't. Insurance claims are iffy on those things since they'll value your loss at maybe $200, when in realty it's $10,000, and their answer is "so sue us".

Just my two cents.

 

[strykerAKAmack]

Trace the battery cable from battery back one leg usually goes to starter other one powers everything else ,on that one splice in a fuse that is uncommon type or on that can be mounted in an ez but non descriptive location ie: looks like it belongs there .
pull that fuse and no matter what they do they won't go anywhere till its back in . The more the wiring looks oem the more hidden it becomes

 

[vallefarm]

I'm looking to be able to leave my tractor at my property. I want to do some basic theft prevention stuff including replacing the key ignition to a non-common key and installing a kill switch. Anyone have any specific ignition switch or kill switch recommendations? CX2510HST. Not sure what will work best for my tractor. Already looking into ACV insurance.

Also, any recommendations for a locking gas cap that will fit my tank?

UPDATE 23Jun2025, 7:39AM: I should have mentioned this property is an hour from my house. There are no structures on it, and it is very secluded. Have 2-3 neighbors around me who also don't live on their empty lots either. However, there are also several properties around me for sale that folks have to go by my place to get to.

My approach would be a tractor ignition can be jumped and unlike a car there is no steering lock. I would disable the tractor in a nondestructive way. I would take a wheel and the starter home. The steering wheel turned hard left and pulled. More difficult to steal or tow. As I have said parts and can reinstall them in minutes I have a greater chance of the tractor being exactly where I left it.

 

[rider89]

I'm looking to be able to leave my tractor at my property. I want to do some basic theft prevention stuff including replacing the key ignition to a non-common key and installing a kill switch. Anyone have any specific ignition switch or kill switch recommendations? CX2510HST. Not sure what will work best for my tractor. Already looking into ACV insurance.

Also, any recommendations for a locking gas cap that will fit my tank?

UPDATE 23Jun2025, 7:39AM: I should have mentioned this property is an hour from my house. There are no structures on it, and it is very secluded. Have 2-3 neighbors around me who also don't live on their empty lots either. However, there are also several properties around me for sale that folks have to go by my place to get to.

in addition to physical deterents posted by others, I would put a GPS tag on it. if stolen, you're much more likely to get some police action and maybe even recovery

 

[Reapoman]

Keep in mind that its easy for some jerk to put anything down the gas tank and oil filler, hopefully not. But you need to try and protect everything. Its sad what our country has turned into.

 

[TORQUIN]

I am on board with the GPS tag. Probably your best chance to recover it if stolen. As others have said, if the thieves want the unit they will get it.

Chris

 

[kneedeep]

If the area you are talking about is so unsecure and the possibility of theft is that concerning,
Don’t leave it there.
Simple solution

 

[Frxdy]

A simple hidden ignition switch, then I find two big trees spaced properly. I put my bucket all the way up and make a 5 or 6 point turn to place the tractor between the trees. I lowered the bucket wedging in down. They can't move it without cutting trees or starting the machine.

 

[Utopia Texas]

No need to change the keys. Pull the fuse to the starter circuit.

 

[Joe Batt]

Buy a John Deere: https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/01/euro...es-ukraine-disabled-melitopol-intl/index.html

 

[HayFarmer]

Get a shipping container and put it in it, lock it. Protects from theft, vandalism and weather.

 

[masseyrider]

Mine are insured for replacement value.
I run a phoney wire to the PTO safety switch. Looks like it's always been there.
Takes like 15 seconds to plug in the real one. Only use it when the tractor might be left outside over night.
If someone really wants something they will take it.

 

[Page2]

Lift the front end with the loader, use a battery powered impact to remove front wheels, set it down on wooden blocks, throw a tarp over it, take wheels home with you. Reverse the process to use, repeat as needed. My old barn burnt down a while back, and I do this rather than trailer my tractor back and forth a dozen times over the summer. Of course in the winter it's in the barn at home.

 

[Hermio]

Nice 9900 pound Dump trailer stolen on property… bolt cutters as the lock on the gate cut and the lock on the chained wheels cut plus it had a ball lock in the hitch.

A tag transponder might have led to a recovery… but it’s been a couple years and vanished without a trace.

Not rural location but could not be seen from county highway so either someone who knew the Christmas Tree operation or someone cut the gate lock and got lucky?

I once put a chain up on unoccupied property to prevent entry. Thieves stole my chain.

 

[walnutman]

Air tags might be cheaper, and less emasculating.

What are you talking about? Apple is sheep gay LOL

 

[sandman2234]

Get a shipping container and put it in it, lock it. Protects from theft, vandalism and weather.

I had a container at a place I owned and moved out of. I had a car stored in it and the container was cut open with a grinder, large enough hole for a person to crawl into. There was candle wax all over the insides of the car where they sat and played in the car. I got a call one day from one of my old neighbors, asking me if I had a Chevy stored in that container. "Yes, WHY?" It seemed that word was getting around that they were trying to figure out a way to find keys and get it out of the container. I had reinforced the locking mechanism on both doors, so apparently getting past that was a bit of an issue. ( I don't think they had yet contemplated the two foot drop from container floor to the ground level in a very low slung car)
David from jax

 

[DieselBound]

I would be more concerned about vandalism than outright theft.

I think insurance is the only real way to be able to sleep well with this. If someone wants something bad enough they're going to get it.

One other option that I didn't hear anyone mention is to see if there's anyone in the area where you can store it (preferably inside some building), someone else's property where they're around all the time. Might be a cheap option too.

And don't forget to protect against rodents the best you can: this is probably the highest risk issue.

 

[gstrom99]

I've used these on several vehicles, besides my race cars. Put it somewhere hidden, do not label it and take the "key" out. Most people wouldn't know what it is, much less have a "key".

Single Circuit Master Battery Cutoff Switch - Pegasus Auto Racing Supplies

Our competition-proven master battery cut off switches are SCCA legal in all racing classes. These are the highest quality kill switches available. Don't risk a DNF!

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[gstrom99]

Get a shipping container and put it in it, lock it. Protects from theft, vandalism and weather.

A sitting, remote container screams: GOOD STUFF INSIDE TO STEAL!!!
I think not.

I wouldn't leave a new(er) tractor an hour away, more than overnight (maybe even then...). Disc, mower, etc - yes. Tractor? - no.

Get/use the trailer.