keeping tractor from being stolen
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Boondox
Elite Member
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- Apr 6, 2000
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- 3,874
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- Craftsbury Common, Vermont
- Tractor
- Deere 4044R cab, Kubota KX-121-3S
Congratulations! Sounds like an update of your profile is in order.
Can't offer much help on this topic. I keep Clementine out of the weather...and as a result out of sight. But it's so rural here that we only get five or six cars driving up this way on a busy week. I figured the odds of any of those lost souls even knowing how to start up and drive a tractor is pretty slim. If I got really suspicious I suppose parking the tractor with the mid PTO engaged and the key hidden would foil all but the most determined sorts...but they'd have to get past the dogs first!
Anyway, congrats again. Sounds like a fantastic tractor!
Pete
Can't offer much help on this topic. I keep Clementine out of the weather...and as a result out of sight. But it's so rural here that we only get five or six cars driving up this way on a busy week. I figured the odds of any of those lost souls even knowing how to start up and drive a tractor is pretty slim. If I got really suspicious I suppose parking the tractor with the mid PTO engaged and the key hidden would foil all but the most determined sorts...but they'd have to get past the dogs first!
Anyway, congrats again. Sounds like a fantastic tractor!
Pete
I park the tractor hidden out of sight as much as possible and then turn the steering to one extreme or the other prefereably turned towards something immovable. Then I loop a rather significant coiled cable around the steering wheel and the nearest significant part of the front end loader. I also use at least a five pin lock. I have also looped a large cable though the rear wheel and to the corner of my building. I quit doing that after I stress tested that corner of the building.
Greg
Greg
rdbrumfield
Veteran Member
Putting a master switch on the battery cables located in an unlikely place might help.
wroughtn_harv
Super Member
I've always operated on the theory that thieves are first lazy and then sneaky. A hidden switch works wonders. I personally carry keys for JCB, Caterpillar, John Deere, Case, equipment on my key ring. Those just about cover all there is there most days. I'm not the only one. I assume the thieves do too.
That's where a hidden switch or something really simple that cripples the tractor works wonders. When I have to leave my tractor at a construction site I use a Kryptonite cable to lock up the safety bar. That means they can't move it without cutting the cable. I also throw the rocker switches for the lights and emergency brake. That takes some of the silent and sneak out of moving it.
But a simple hidden toggle switch to the starter circuit behind, say a locked hood, or inside a locked tool box means they have to take the time to hunt and remove locks. They're lazy. Chances are they are gonna go on down the street for something not quite so contrary.
That's where a hidden switch or something really simple that cripples the tractor works wonders. When I have to leave my tractor at a construction site I use a Kryptonite cable to lock up the safety bar. That means they can't move it without cutting the cable. I also throw the rocker switches for the lights and emergency brake. That takes some of the silent and sneak out of moving it.
But a simple hidden toggle switch to the starter circuit behind, say a locked hood, or inside a locked tool box means they have to take the time to hunt and remove locks. They're lazy. Chances are they are gonna go on down the street for something not quite so contrary.
soarkrebel
Gold Member
I keep mine in my shop. and i keep the insurance up.
a locking shop is great. or your garage.
On mine they are going to have to get it started to steal it cause the FEL bucket is down and it always has a implement on it lowered. i think that comes out to around 4000 lbs. no key in site ! now hot wire ? yeah i guess but i got a good old country nieghbor that knows if i'm home or not. he has a shotgun!
a locking shop is great. or your garage.
On mine they are going to have to get it started to steal it cause the FEL bucket is down and it always has a implement on it lowered. i think that comes out to around 4000 lbs. no key in site ! now hot wire ? yeah i guess but i got a good old country nieghbor that knows if i'm home or not. he has a shotgun!
tiltbed
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2002
- Messages
- 83
- Location
- Ohio
- Tractor
- ford 3000,case SI..Just purchased a 404 Futon (40 hp 4wd) with a koyker FEL
congrats on the new "bota"...i keep the 3000 at the "farm" don`t have a pole barn yet)this spring i hope) when the new Kioti arrives...lol..I have a master sw I installed on the ground side also a remote fuel turn off.But lets face it..any deterrant just keeps honest folks honest.....Sid
As has been mentioned above security devices generally stop the more honest thieves (if they exist), with the really determined thief the more you can slow him down the better.
I would definitely install the cutoff switch.
To make somebody think twice I would add one of these wheel locks (see link below and attachment).
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standarditem.jhtmlid=0001921012240a&navAction=jump&navCount=0&indexId=&podId=0001921&catalogCode=ID&parentId=&parentType=&rid=>http://www.cabelas.com/...</A>
During my undergrad years one of my roommates worked for a company that would apply these locks, but the ones they used had a large circular thick metal plate that blocked access to the lug nuts. It was a college town and parking on and around campus was next to nothing and the apartment parking lots were to small to get a tow truck in so the apartments that where close to campus employed his company to keep people out of their parking lots. I'm not sure which company made the heavier duty ones.
You could put this lock on the front tire and it would deter many potential thieves.
Clint.
I would definitely install the cutoff switch.
To make somebody think twice I would add one of these wheel locks (see link below and attachment).
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standarditem.jhtmlid=0001921012240a&navAction=jump&navCount=0&indexId=&podId=0001921&catalogCode=ID&parentId=&parentType=&rid=>http://www.cabelas.com/...</A>
During my undergrad years one of my roommates worked for a company that would apply these locks, but the ones they used had a large circular thick metal plate that blocked access to the lug nuts. It was a college town and parking on and around campus was next to nothing and the apartment parking lots were to small to get a tow truck in so the apartments that where close to campus employed his company to keep people out of their parking lots. I'm not sure which company made the heavier duty ones.
You could put this lock on the front tire and it would deter many potential thieves.
Clint.
Attachments
cpicton1
Silver Member
My brother-in-law leaves his old rusty AC WD setting in plain view of the road. He just takes the battery out. We don't know if they don't want the rusty old AC or if they just don't carry a spare battery around with them. Nobody has ever bothered it. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
centex
Gold Member
I had planned to set my rear wheels to the widest position which would make the tractor too wide to fit on anything but a flatbed truck but then I decided that it would make it too hard for me to transport the tractor so I just park it out of sight of the road and hope no one bothers it. The longer I have it the less I worry about it. Tonight I left it in the woods down by the creek with a post hole auger burried in the ground. You have to go through several locked gates to got to it.
froggy
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2001
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- 1,075
- Location
- Cooke County, Texas
- Tractor
- JD4320 with TNT, electric diverter, cruise control and air suspension seat.
I also have an old tractor (IHC) that I park behind some trees and I take the battery out. No one bothers it.
Rockyroad
Bronze Member
Unless you are in business and using it for that purpose, your tractor and implements should be covered under your homeowner's policy against theft under the contents coverage of your HO policy.
However, there may be some fine print involved. For instance, my agent says that it should be kept in my barn when not in use. The barn should be locked (just like your house) at all times so that there will be evidence of forced entry if someone breaks in and steals it. Absent evidence of forced entry, it is questionable if the insurance company will pay for the loss.
Also, check with your agent to make sure you have REPLACEMENT COST COVERAGE on your contents. That way, if something is stolen, the company has to pay the cost to buy a brand new tractor of the same type rather than knocking off for depreciation because of age.
The funny thing, the increased coverage (replacement cost) does not really cost that much more. Check with the agent who sells you your homeowners policy to make sure you have all of the bases covered. Also photographs of the contents your barn or garage (as well as your house)are helpful since if someone cleans you out, you may not remember every single tool that you had until you go to look for something two months after you have cashed the claim check.
Remember, there has to be evidence of forced entry or the insurance company does not pay. Make sure the cops get that down in the report if you do have a breakin so the insurance company cannot weasel out of paying. A broken window, jimmied door, destroyed lock, etc. are evidence of forced entry. If the crook picks your lock you might have a problem. Again, discuss your options carefully with your insurance agent to get the best possible advice and read your policy to make sure you actually have what the agent says he sold you.
However, there may be some fine print involved. For instance, my agent says that it should be kept in my barn when not in use. The barn should be locked (just like your house) at all times so that there will be evidence of forced entry if someone breaks in and steals it. Absent evidence of forced entry, it is questionable if the insurance company will pay for the loss.
Also, check with your agent to make sure you have REPLACEMENT COST COVERAGE on your contents. That way, if something is stolen, the company has to pay the cost to buy a brand new tractor of the same type rather than knocking off for depreciation because of age.
The funny thing, the increased coverage (replacement cost) does not really cost that much more. Check with the agent who sells you your homeowners policy to make sure you have all of the bases covered. Also photographs of the contents your barn or garage (as well as your house)are helpful since if someone cleans you out, you may not remember every single tool that you had until you go to look for something two months after you have cashed the claim check.
Remember, there has to be evidence of forced entry or the insurance company does not pay. Make sure the cops get that down in the report if you do have a breakin so the insurance company cannot weasel out of paying. A broken window, jimmied door, destroyed lock, etc. are evidence of forced entry. If the crook picks your lock you might have a problem. Again, discuss your options carefully with your insurance agent to get the best possible advice and read your policy to make sure you actually have what the agent says he sold you.
Soundguy
Old Timer
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- Mar 11, 2002
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- RK 55HC,ym1700, NH7610S, Ford 8N, 2N, NAA, 660, 850 x2, 541, 950, 941D, 951, 2000, 3000, 4000, 4600, 5000, 740, IH 'C' 'H', CUB, John Deere 'B', allis 'G', case VAC
I have a real sneaky way to protect my NH 1920.. but it only works on some of the newer tractors.
The NH 1920 ( like many others ) is one of those key off, shutdown types.. there is a fuel cutoff solenoid.
An extra toggle switch in that system makes it impossible to start.
It is power steeringand is hard to drag / steer without it being running.
About the only thing that wold get it is a tilting bed car hauler.
Usually I keep my tractor in the barn, behind a few locked gates, and there is my friendly longhorn and a few dogs in the pasture to boot.
I did leave my tractor out at another pasture I was discing once, and left it parked at the extreme edge ( back ) of the pasture in a stand of trees. I felt that it was an out of site / mind thing and that if they did see it, they wouldn't be able to get a truck / trailer back the 1000+" to it to get it as I had the pasture disked into oblivion... I doubt anything short of a 'monster' truck, tractor, or something with tracks could have gotten back their easilly.
Soundguy
The NH 1920 ( like many others ) is one of those key off, shutdown types.. there is a fuel cutoff solenoid.
An extra toggle switch in that system makes it impossible to start.
It is power steeringand is hard to drag / steer without it being running.
About the only thing that wold get it is a tilting bed car hauler.
Usually I keep my tractor in the barn, behind a few locked gates, and there is my friendly longhorn and a few dogs in the pasture to boot.
I did leave my tractor out at another pasture I was discing once, and left it parked at the extreme edge ( back ) of the pasture in a stand of trees. I felt that it was an out of site / mind thing and that if they did see it, they wouldn't be able to get a truck / trailer back the 1000+" to it to get it as I had the pasture disked into oblivion... I doubt anything short of a 'monster' truck, tractor, or something with tracks could have gotten back their easilly.
Soundguy
JDGREEN4ME
Veteran Member
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- Sep 27, 2002
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- Southeast PA
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- John Deere 2520, John Deere X534, GT 225, GT 275
I will be the first to admit that I am not the brightest bulb in the box...we have a wooded lot that we are putting a driveway in so we can clear out a section to build on...the wife and I were talking about how to make sure the tractor won't disappear since we have no place to store it and the property is off a main highway...I tells the wife I will just place big rocks across the drive with the tractor so they can't get the tractor out...wifey says if they get the tractor started can't they move the rocks with it also? /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif
Egon
Epic Contributor
Flatdeck with picker time.
Egon
Egon
Tedman
New member
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2001
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- 24
- Location
- Imperial, Missouri
- Tractor
- New Holland TC 35D, Farmall H, John Deere 450C crawler loader
I keep my NH TC35D in a locked barn. I also pull out the main fuse which disables everything. They could always jump the missing fuse, but hopefully all of the hurdles will discourage some thieves.
Hoeman00
Platinum Member
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- Jun 29, 2002
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- 872
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- N Central Ohio
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- NH TC35D/SUPER H&M/F-20/JD B&D/FORDSON/JD250 SSL
On the 35D and other w/ operator safety switch
under seat, put a pc of wood under seat so switch
is open.
Leave the PTO levers slightly engaged so the
switch is open and range selector in gear, this
makes it difficult to trouble shoot in the dark.
This works so well my dad couldn't get it running
thought battery was bad
I keep all my equipment inside the 40x60 shop
or 30x54 polebarn unless I have to leave on a job.
under seat, put a pc of wood under seat so switch
is open.
Leave the PTO levers slightly engaged so the
switch is open and range selector in gear, this
makes it difficult to trouble shoot in the dark.
This works so well my dad couldn't get it running
thought battery was bad
I keep all my equipment inside the 40x60 shop
or 30x54 polebarn unless I have to leave on a job.
markie61
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2001
- Messages
- 1,362
- Location
- Northern Virginia
- Tractor
- 2019 Rural King RK55HC with Loader & Backhoe; 2001 New Holland TC40D with Loader
In addition, you could use manual fuel cutoff on the separator bowl on the ClassIII Boomers.
Mark
Mark
MDNick
Gold Member
Soundguy,
That is a great idea. Won't work for Kubota, though. The fuel solenoid on a Kubota pulls in electrically when the key is shut off. It stays pulled in for less than 10 seconds, then releases. Kubota owners, that's the click you hear after the engine shuts down. This way, Kubota can use a small light duty, spring return solenoid. It has a very short duty cycle. Staying on for any period of time would burn it up. New Holland's must use a double acting solenoid for the trick to work for you.
Nick
That is a great idea. Won't work for Kubota, though. The fuel solenoid on a Kubota pulls in electrically when the key is shut off. It stays pulled in for less than 10 seconds, then releases. Kubota owners, that's the click you hear after the engine shuts down. This way, Kubota can use a small light duty, spring return solenoid. It has a very short duty cycle. Staying on for any period of time would burn it up. New Holland's must use a double acting solenoid for the trick to work for you.
Nick
Illusion and confusion are very effective methods. On my tool shed I have a typical 4-pin master lock. I carefully cut the key in two pieces and shoved the important part back into the lock just as if you broke it off in their. Just long enough to operate the pins. Now I keep it locked all the time because I can open it with anything I am carrying like my pocket knife. I have a small screwdrive hiding in a nearby spot for opening it too. Not guaranteed but I think most people will assume its functional and not even consider picking it. Slows them down, I hope, and greatly speeds me up. never need a key.
I also turned off the fuel back at the tank. Then later I forgot and ran out of fuel about 100 yards away. May keep them from driving it home but they could certainly get it on a flatbed or trailer.. and back off!
I like the idea of a hidden switch or battery dissconnect.
High degrees of effectiveness are reached by doing several little things at once. I would venture that most theives start their caper with some type of notion about how much time they plan to spend on doing it. The idea is to increase their time spent by making them go through Plan A, Plan B, C......The amateurs and/or opportunists start getting real nervous quickly and the determined ones can still be fustrated. By the time they gets the wood out from under the seat, dissengages the pto safety switch, determine there is a broke off key in the ignition /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif hooks the battery up, turns the lights off, cuts the cable or chain off the steering wheel, lifted the implements, gets the fuel cut back on, thinks he hears the dog, figures out the joystick lock for the loader, and if during daylight got past my pet attack-man-on-sight game rooster he could be right spooked and leave. The idea is to raise his nervousness level by slowing him down and slowing them down even a little bit can be quite effective.
Greg
I also turned off the fuel back at the tank. Then later I forgot and ran out of fuel about 100 yards away. May keep them from driving it home but they could certainly get it on a flatbed or trailer.. and back off!
I like the idea of a hidden switch or battery dissconnect.
High degrees of effectiveness are reached by doing several little things at once. I would venture that most theives start their caper with some type of notion about how much time they plan to spend on doing it. The idea is to increase their time spent by making them go through Plan A, Plan B, C......The amateurs and/or opportunists start getting real nervous quickly and the determined ones can still be fustrated. By the time they gets the wood out from under the seat, dissengages the pto safety switch, determine there is a broke off key in the ignition /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif hooks the battery up, turns the lights off, cuts the cable or chain off the steering wheel, lifted the implements, gets the fuel cut back on, thinks he hears the dog, figures out the joystick lock for the loader, and if during daylight got past my pet attack-man-on-sight game rooster he could be right spooked and leave. The idea is to raise his nervousness level by slowing him down and slowing them down even a little bit can be quite effective.
Greg
