Protecting against theft

[1Lawman]

What can I do that would be easy and within reason, to my 5093E that would make it more difficult to steal?

 

[JBourquin]

Lock it in a barn, take out the key, install a hidden battery switch.

 

[whis]

leave pto on, remove starter fuse, install battery quick disconnect or for real protection remove one of the wheels

 

[Tx Jim]

Turn fuel valve to OFF

 

[PILOON]

You'll never stop pros!
But for joy riders possibly the easiest is to cut the starter relay wire and install a hidden switch in that line.
Another would be hidden switch in your seat safety switch wire. (or even pulling one of the wires off of seat switch)

My tractor safety switch was on the H-N-L selector. The selector switch being defective the wires were linked together to start so my hidden safety is to simply disconnect the mated connectors.

 

[1Lawman]

leave pto on, remove starter fuse, install battery quick disconnect or for real protection remove one of the wheels

How can I find my starter fuse?

 

[1Lawman]

Turn fuel valve to OFF

How long would it run with fuel valve turned off?

 

[Tx Jim]

How long would it run with fuel valve turned off?

I'll guess 2-3 minutes at the most. You could also remove a frt tire & wheel and take it with you.

 

[PILOON]

How long would it run with fuel valve turned off?

About 20 ft!

 

[whis]

fuse should be marked in fuse box if not keep removing one till it won't crank

 

[George2615]

You can follow all steps as mentioned, but you won't stop a pro. Get insurance on it if you don't already have it.

 

[RoyJackson]

You can follow all steps as mentioned, but you won't stop a pro. Get insurance on it if you don't already have it.

That's about right...insurance is your best bet since you won't stop a thief who really wants the tractor.
Deere keys fit a number of models, so just removing the key isn't much protection from a thief.
What you can do is make it more difficult for him and you've got some good suggestions so far.
My tractor is in a locked garage and is rarely left out overnight. When it is left out, it's behind a fence in a lighted area. That won't stop a thief, but it might make him consider the risks involved (me, with an AR-15).

 

[jrkaye]

Park your tractor in the least accessible/visible place for thieves. Install trail cams. Insure your investment. A kill switch helps but not a guarantee for the people that are determined to steal. My dogs alert me to anyone on the property, then I reach for my Colt. Hey, it's been effective to date. Some folks don't think protecting their property and lives warrants a loaded firearm, I do.

 

[1Lawman]

Park your tractor in the least accessible/visible place for thieves. Install trail cams. Insure your investment. A kill switch helps but not a guarantee for the people that are determined to steal. My dogs alert me to anyone on the property, then I reach for my Colt. Hey, it's been effective to date. Some folks don't think protecting their property and lives warrants a loaded firearm, I do.

You are preaching to the choir here..Private ownership of property is worth dying for so by extension it's worth....well well...you get the idea...I know pros are not easily deterred but don't discount the value of target hardening...Anyway I found the 20 amp ignition switch fuse...

 

[aczlan]

fuse should be marked in fuse box if not keep removing one till it won't crank

And if you want to be devious, replace it with a blown fuse

Aaron Z

 

[satitk]

take off the battery

 

[/pine]

IMO the majority of suggestions will deter the typical deviant from taking it for a joy ride but someone intent on stealing a tractor is going to be prepared and just winch it up on a trailer or roll back and be gone...

 

[aczlan]

IMO the majority of suggestions will deter the typical deviant from taking it for a joy ride but someone intent on stealing a tractor is going to be prepared and just winch it up on a trailer or roll back and be gone...

Pretty much. Pull the key, pull a fuse if you so desire but if someone shows up with a trailer or a rollback with a winch, they will still be able to load it up in 15 mins and be gone.
Insuring it against theft is the only foolproof solution...

Aaron Z

 

[timbatrader]

I haven’t heard about it on farm equipment locally but what seems common on construction equipment is a GPS unit connected to a cell phone is hidden in the machine if the machine moves out of a preset area it starts sending a tracking signal to the security firm and the owner gets a phone call to check it out

 

[1Lawman]

I haven’t heard about it on farm equipment locally but what seems common on construction equipment is a GPS unit connected to a cell phone is hidden in the machine if the machine moves out of a preset area it starts sending a tracking signal to the security firm and the owner gets a phone call to check it out

Very cool!