Basic theft prevention

[sandman2234]

I left my tractor at a job site about 3/4 mile up the street. Owner is 80 and sleeps like a log, so I knew that while it would be under cover, it was sort of in sight of a main road, and two gates with cows between it and the road. Next door neighbor sleeps with a gun under his pillow. The area is lit up with street lights.
Nothing happened, but I didn't sleep well that night worrying about something happening to it.
A tractor is an easy target, very little chance of getting caught using it if you don't take it to the dealer, and just use it around your own house. Recovery happens very seldom, from what I have seen. If the thief isn't caught hauling it away, very little chance of catching them.
It is your investment, protect it like you won't get it back!
David from jax

 

[Elviscaretaker]

May be a stupid idea but back up to a tree (assuming you have a front loader) aim the bucket in at a dig angle, lift and remove front tires. Lower it to the ground and bring the tires home.

 

[karlmagne]

Paint it pink

That may work until some "fashionable thief" sees it.

 

[Fxfymn413]

I just had a dump trailer stolen from our second home in SC. SC does not use tags or titles on small trailers so trailer theft is a constant problem.

I had a $350.00 lock on it that didn't slow the thief down.

But my son had hidden an air tag on the trailer so it was quickly located and after some persuasion was applied to the local sheriff's office to go to the indicated location it was found and returned. The thief had already sold it so the purchaser was out his money and the thief was arrested.

The moral of the story is if a professional thief wants your tractor any lock or other thing you come up with can and will be defeated. As the saying goes "Locks keep honest people honest." They don't keep a determined crook from stealing anything, especially one who has a battery powered grinder equipped with a cut off wheel.

I would place the air tag inside the tail light lens if it is not a sealed unit with another in a more obvious location so it can be "found" and discarded by the crook. If the thief has an I-phone he may be made aware that an air tag is near by and keep looking for it. It may be worthwhile to also use a tag for other phones.

Buy a trailer and bring it home or at least take it to a secured storage facility. If it fits in a storage unit rent one and put it there.

One other thing..ask your insurance agent if you are covered for theft when the tractor is at this location. I would not be surprised that it is not covered.

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

I thought that air tags can be detected with an iphone? Like if someone puts an airtag on car an app would indicate it had an airtag on it. ??

I did like the idea of wedging it between two solid trees if able. If someone wanted it bad enough though the could hook a wrecker/tow truck and winch it sideways away from the trees. Someone can always build/buy a dolly to put the front end on.

Just the more work someone tries to thwart theft the less likely it will happen. Nothing is foolproof.

Lots of good ideas on here. Nothing beats bringing it home IMO.

If you were a crook, what would you do for a $20-$40K worth of equipment?

 

[Joe Batt]

If you were a crook, what would you do for a $20-$40K worth of equipment?

I've found that you can make more $/hr with honest work. Thieves are typically dumb and lazy.

 

[Mudfarmer]

Shipping container with a lock box.

 

[EscapedSuburbia]

I don't know much about air tags but I thought they had to have a participating iPhone within range to work. I just Googled the range for an airtag and it says it needs to be within about 33 feet of an iPhone and can sometimes work up to 100 feet in an open area. That might work in a densely populated treeless area but doesn't seem like it would be much use in a rural area.

 

[Elviscaretaker]

I don't know much about air tags but I thought they had to have a participating iPhone within range to work. I just Googled the range for an airtag and it says it needs to be within about 33 feet of an iPhone and can sometimes work up to 100 feet in an open area. That might work in a densely populated treeless area but doesn't seem like it would be much use in a rural area.

You are correct, they don't work for crap in rural areas unless you get lucky and someone is passing by with an I-phone.

 

[rontaki]

There are Android tracking devices and methods.
Too bad explosives and high voltage could land you in jail. Thieves deserve no mercy.

 

[newbury]

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

Shipping container with a lock box.

Shipping containers need their sides to be covered with 6" or more of concrete and rebar to discourage those with a good angle grinder and cutting wheels.

 

[coast40]

May be a stupid idea but back up to a tree (assuming you have a front loader) aim the bucket in at a dig angle, lift and remove front tires. Lower it to the ground and bring the tires home.

I wonder if a tractor sitting with missing parts would invite thieves and vandals... Thoughts?

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Get an blank invoice from a local tractor dealer. Fill it out so it looks professional with "engine locked up", $15,000 repair estimate.
Install a battery disconnect switch with small 18 gauge wire across contacts. When switch is open, key on it will have instrument lights...but wire blows like a fuse if they try starting it.

 

[masseyrider]

Get an blank invoice from a local tractor dealer. Fill it out so it looks professional with "engine locked up", $15,000 repair estimate.
Install a battery disconnect switch with small 18 gauge wire across contacts. When switch is open, key on it will have instrument lights...but wire blows like a fuse if they try starting it.

You think thieves can read?
Most are... forget it!

 

[Shenandoah MF1760]

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

My tractor is ~100 miles from the house on 25 wooded acres, no structures.

My solution was as HayFarmer suggested. I got a 40' hi-cap or hi-cube shipping container which is a foot taller than the standard ones because I have a cab tractor. I also had the vendor (XCaliber Container) put security boxes on the doors to prevent someone from using bolt cutters to get in.

I've had this setup for 5 years now with no issues. I also keep my UTV in there. Perfect? Nothing is. But it would take a dedicated effort to get in there and remove the equipment.

 

[ultrarunner]

I got a call to help a guy with a frozen motor on a Model A flat bed on the old remote farmstead…

He said his grandfather did something to keep it from being driven off.

The guy saw the missing battery cable and thought good to go…

Grandpa was more wily and used extra long starter bolt that pressed into the flywheel so no way would the engine turn…

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

You think thieves can read?
Most are... forget it!

I forgot. Leave this on the steering wheel with a note "Run Dick run".

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Actually after thinking about it I believe a trailer is the best choice. You have to drive there anyway...why not tow it. Plus trailer is there if something breaks and for maintenance at home.
The second best is if you had a neighbor within a mile you could leave it with.

 

[Frxdy]

If I had to leave it I would chain the front and rear wheels together with a 3/8" chain and two locks.

In today world even half inch chain is quick to dispatch with a battery powered cutting wheel.

 

[Fxfymn413]

Worked as a fire fighter for 32 years. When we needed to there was no building we could not gain entry to in a matter of seconds or in minutes at most.

Don't fool yourself into believing that big locks or heavy steel will be effective in keeping your property secure.