Security & Theft Chain or Wire Rope for Security ?

[dmccarty]

Dave,

I lock my stuff up with a 3/8 Grade 70 Transport chain. I use a
good quality lock as well. Yes a thief can get the thing but it will
prevent some kid walking up to the tractor, starting it somehow
and then driivng off to get hurt. They might vandalize it but that
is what insurance is all about.

The big box stores have Kryptoknight wire rope locks that are
very good. They are used to secure stuff at construction sites.
I use these to secure my kayak when its on a vehicle. But
I don't see how to use these for a tractor. Might be possible
though.

When I build the barn, one of these years. I have thought of
dropping the a length or two of transport chain into a special
built pier. Then lock up the equipment to this chain. Don't
know if its worth it but its an idea.

I don't know if it was on TBN or on one of the kayaking sites
but people have recommended a special motorcycle security
chain. This stuff is designed to defect cutters and such. If I
remember right it was from Europe where motorcycle theft
is a rampant. I know I saw the stuff for sale on the Internet
years ago. Google might find it..

Hope this helps,
Dan McCarty

 

[KubotaSteve]

Any type of lock, chain or cable is only for the honest person. Theives will steal whatever they want. I have found that firing a couple of shots in the air if someone is near your stuff is a good deterent. They don't really know if you are shooting at them or not. As far as the locks, I keep the tractor in a shed more for just keeping it out of the weather and the key is in the ignition at all times. All my implements are outside and not chained up or restrained at all. If someone wants to lift up a 500 pound box blade or bush hog, they can have it!!!! Think about it, the amount of work involved to steal tractor implements is not worth the payoff compared to other things to steal. I'll get the insurance money and get a new one.
A friend of mine had a nice car in Texas and there was a rash of stealing cars going around. He didn't have a garage, so he chained the front bumper to a pole. When he got up the next morning the rear bumper was chained to the pole and a note attached to the car that read "If we want it we'll be back for it later!"

 

[Dave___in___CT]

Thanks folks...


Dave...

 

[bradheiter]

I lived in Tampa Florida for awhile and they seem to be able to steal anything there. Slow them down and make it so they have to make noise or do something to alert someone, is how they tryed to stop them. I use square link chain (a LOT harder to cut than round link) and Kryptonite locks, with the correct cutter cable is easy. The chain is pricey so I would use several shorter pieces and chain the object (i was trying to save motorcycles) to itself (wheel to wheel) and to several other objects, choose the objects partially for the noise they will make if they don't defeat the chain/lock. While your tractor can drive off with your four wheeler atttached to it's front wheel it makes a 'x'ell of a raucous doing it. The goal is s..l..o..w.. them down and make it noisy. You can't keep a pro from getting it BUT if it takes long enough you have a chance of something scaring them off or getting them caught. AND all my toys have a kill switch in a place only I know about, I don't want my Branson driving it's self off, at least if I can stop it. Yes, a pro will just jump the starter but maybe they aren't prepared for that or maybe it takes too long.
Depressing subject.

Brad

 

[gotrocks]

Hello Dave,
I've read the other suggestions. This site is a delight.

This subject reminds me of a class I attended while in the Army back in the 50's. The Major said,"Men, a mine field ain't worth two cents, unless you've got it covered with a machine gun."

I would think a simi-auto would work also.

 

[MikeIA]

Another source for chain would be a shop that inspects electric chain hoists. We have requested the old chain when we have had to replace it when it no longer meets specs...they really can't use it (it's too brittle for transport chain)...it's heavy, maybe they sell it for scrap. The only way to cut Grade 80 is a torch (bulky)or an angle grinder(noisy). Look in the Yellow Pages and see what you can find.

 

[Dave___in___CT]

Great tip for a source !


Thanks...

Dave...

 

[5030]

Dave:

I don't recommend any of your listed items.

I recommend a couple of intimidating dogs.

We have 5. 4 in the house and one (a Rotwieler) in the kennel next to the barn. We never lock anything up, in fact, the keys are always in the cars, trucks and tractors. I even have a mean Labrador. She came that way as a stray. All the other dogs would be good postal workers, that is, licking stamps. People don't know they aren't mean, it's the intimidation factor at work and it works. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Chechnya]

You can get every wire and chain and lock known to man but your items will still be stolen.

You should ask yourself what kinda people are around that could steal your things? This is espcially true if you have alot of people with special type tools like bolt cutters and quickie saws. We just had bought brand new tools like compressors, welder, nail guns and put them in our container, well the next morning after chrismas someone took a quickie saw(concrete saw) and cut the tabs off the doors and stole everything.. so ask who is around.

If theres no one around that has something like i mentioned then just buy a think chain and a few big locks and huddle everything together and block access to your trailer by backing your backup up to the tounge. Master locks seem to be heavy duty, have one on the back of my skid steer so no one can damage the engine/vandalism and my co-worker backed into something and bent the whole lock and it still works.

Get a heavy chain, the chain will last longer then all chinese made bolt cutters, but not so heavy you cant pick it up and move it.

Hope i helped

 

[Dave___in___CT]

Hi...


I agree about dogs...
...the equipment will be stored out-of-state from where I live so it's not an option for me...

...except for the neighbor's dog ! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif


Dave...

 

[KubotaSteve]

I disagree about the dogs. No need to put animals in harms way. They could get shot and killed or hit with a pipe or something. Not worth a couple of good dogs. If the stuff is being stored out of state where no one is around, then if someone is stealing it, they will know this and take their time. Several of these ideas may slow down some thieves, but they are not going to stop them. Instead of spending a bunch of money on chain, fancy locks, etc. you install one of those motion cameras. If someone takes your stuff they will set off the motion camera and either get a video or picture of who they are and what they are driving.
My uncle can leave anything lay around his place for weeks and doesn't care whether it gets stolen or not and it never gets stolen, but someone who is concious about it leaves their stuff out a few hours and it's gone!!!!
I guess you could always look around for an old bank vault to put your equipment in /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Dave___in___CT]

Camera...
No electricity yet... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif


Dave...

 

[5030]

Dave:

The camera is the best idea. You could get a solar rechargeable unit. I've seen them in some catalog (search the web). They are used for taking pictures of birds and animals in the woods.

As far as chain, years ago, I had a motorcycle anchored to the garage floor with grade 80 chain and an eye bolt in the cement. My buddy showed me how easy it was to defeat the chain or padlock for that matter.

He took a small CO2 fire extinguisher and sprayed a link and hit it with a hammer. It shattered like glass. Then he did the same thing to my new Master lock. Pow went the hammer and the lock was junk. It won't work with wire rope, but the lock will shatter. If someone wants it, they will get it.

My suggestion, other than a dog, is a good insurance policy with a deductible you can live with. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Soundguy]

I agree about dogs. I let mine out at night now. We have good fenced property, and the dogslike the pasture anyway.. I've left the gate open accidentially and the dogs didn't leave.. so someones gotta come in. If they do.. the dogs will hear them. Heck.. for that fact.. the longhorn will hear them... and I have a real curious longhorn.

Soundguy

 

[JeffRey30747]

If you don't hide the camera well, they will just steal it too!
/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Jeff

 

[Inspector507]

But with the camera.........your stuff is still GONE /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[KubotaSteve]

Yes, with the camera the stuff is still gone, but at least you will have some idea who took it as opposed to broken chain and locks that will be of no use to you. Remember locks are only for honest people. Thieves will steal anything they want. I vote for the camera and good insurance!!!! Most thieves are pretty lazy and are not going to try and steal 500 or 600 pound implements to only get a couple hundred bucks. They would rather steal things easier to move and keep less noticeable. Just my $.02. If you are dead set on trying to keep someone from taking them, my advice is to booby trap the area, put a couple of bear traps under some leaves around the implements!!!! I know that is going a bit far!!!!

 

[5030]

Steve:

Dave doesn't live in Detroit, or for that matter, Gary, Indiana!!

 

[Soundguy]

Too bad you still can't hang thieves.

A dead scoundrel rotting and hanging from a branch near your tractor would serve as a warning for anyone else with hot fingers... ( at any rate.. at least the 'hanger' wouldn't be stealing it.. )


Soundguy

 

[SPIKER]

<font color="red"> Guns make great theft deterants! lol I agree with that. DOGS too... </font>

But with you having out of state stuff, then next best thing is to make it as hard as possable. like others said the 18 votl cordless saws make great chain & cable cutters. add on the metal cutting blade and a 3/8" chain cut takes about 45 sec. grade 80 stuff is harder to cut, but still cuts... what is even easier, than the cutter is a small battery & bottel of ox with a carbon arc rod, it will cut either in about 5 sec.

any how, the next5 best bet is to put up a small chain link fence around the stuff. makes it harder to get it in & out for you but also makes it much harder for them to get it out. then park and immoblixe the tractor aginst the gate! or park the 500 LB box blade which only cost 400 to replace aginst the gate protecting the more costly tiller/brush hog stuff... Not many people will want to attempt to move the big blade to open the gate to get to stuff that they can't hardly move for a few hundred bucks after it is sold...

In a sitution like that is more than likely the neibors you would have to worry about taking that type of equipment as they are there and can see it... so get to know them and treat them well. also invite them over when you are there for a few beers cookout ect... They will know you are not there 90% of time and will know when you come & go anyhow. Might as well get them kind of used to looking after you're stuff and make it known you will help them out if need be...

Ok had my 2 cents worth.

Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif