Security / Anti-Theft

[Bob_Trevithick]

Aside from removing the starter fuse, does anyone have any suggestions about tractor security?

Mark: I know how you hate talking about your new EF-5 /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif, but you mentioned in one post that it came with security of some kind. Could you describe it?

I'm toying with the idea of something like one of those devices that lock the steering wheel to the clutch pedal, or something similar.

When I was a kid, I had a shed to keep a dirt bike in. My dad got some heavy chain from GE where it was used on huge overhead cranes. We dug a deep hole, filled it with old metal bars slipped through the chain links, made the bottom of the hole wider than the top, and filled it with cement. The chain went around the bikes frame.

Maybe someone makes alarm systems for tractors?

The machine is locked inside a pole barn, but I don't think this would slow a determined thief down very much.

Any ideas welcome.

 

[Egon]

Sleep beside it with a 12 gauge.

Egon

 

[Jeff396]

For a start leave all of the levers that prevent starting in that position. A couple of years ago I was up in Michigan where my buddy had just bought a new Kubota. While he was at work I decided to take it out for a spin as he always leaves the keys in vehicles. Well, I never did figure out what all had to be set where to get that thing to start./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Jeff

 

[Harv]

Bob -

Not to discourage new conversation, 'cuz there's always something new to learn, but you might want to check out an old thread labelled <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=owning&Number=16975&page=&view=&sb=&o=&vc=1#Post16975>Tractor Security</A>. If nothing else, it might give you a head start on the subject.

 

[MChalkley]

Bob - Good grief! Am I being forced to talk about EarthForce machines again! /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

The EarthForce machines come with a complete system cutoff. There's a switch with a removable "key", actually a same-one-fits-all-EarthForce-machines plug that, when removed, disconnects the batteries positive terminal from everything, much like the master disconnects you can buy for battery terminals that have a round plug you unscrew to accomplish the same thing.

I put motion beepers on my L4310, then wired a Radio Shack round-type security keyswitch into the start prevent circuit that the PTO and range selector safety circuits used. Then, I wired a relay between that circuit and the keyswitch, so that if you attempted to start the engine without the security switch on, not only would it not start, but the motion beepers would sound. Scared the snot out of myself on numerous occasions with that little setup. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[MChalkley]

BTW, Bob - <font color=blue>you mentioned in one post that it came with security of some kind</font color=blue>

You don't miss much, do you? For you to remember that one item out of all the stuff I've spewed about the EarthForce machines is incredible... /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[Bob_Trevithick]

<font color=blue>...Not to discourage new conversation, 'cuz there's always something new to learn, but you might want to check out an old thread labelled Tractor Security. If nothing else, it might give you a head start on the subject. </font color=blue>

Yeah, I did a search on "security" before I posted, but didn't find quite what I needed. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Thanks for the link though, 'cause for some reason this thread didn't show up in my search. I probably need to practice my searching technique a bit! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Bob_Trevithick]

<font color=blue>...Bob - Good grief! Am I being forced to talk about EarthForce machines again! /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif</font color=blue>

Yeah, sorry Mark.. I know.. you must be so sick of talking about the EarthForce stuff! /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Thanks.. the circuit that sets off the alarms when someone tries to start it sounds pretty neat! I may do that!

Alternatively, I could get a bunch of EF-5's, and park them surrounding the 4300.. and then nobody could steal the 4300 without first having to contend with the EF-5 security, or air-lifting it out with a helicopter. This might not be cost-effective, but it would have other benefits. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Really, thanks Mark.. this gives me a lot of useful ideas.

On a related note, since we've discussed how it's good to let diesels run at medium idle rather than shutting them off each time we need to take a short break, has anyone got ideas about how to let a machine idle but prevent anyone from actually using the machine? For example, mowing.. need to go in house for 5 minutes to use facilities, but maybe some kid might jump on machine and get hurt. Probably no good way to handle this one short of posting a guard or shutting it down? But if anyone has any ideas, I'd love to hear them.

<font color=blue>...You don't miss much, do you? For you to remember that one item out of all the stuff I've spewed about the EarthForce machines is incredible... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif </font color=blue>

I miss nothing.. absolutely nothing.. /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif.. but sometimes I have selective hearing, like when John was trying to tell me how easy it is to wire up a switch for my rear light! /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

I really appreciate all the advice, folks! Thanks!

Bob

 

[Bob_Trevithick]

<font color=blue>...Sleep beside it with a 12 gauge.</font color=blue>

My wife has suggested something similar.. as in "If you love that tractor so much, you can go and sleep with it instead of me!" /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Fortunately, she laughed when she said it! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[MChalkley]

Bob - There is one pretty good way to let a machine idle without allowing anyone to use it: a cab with locking doors. /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif I don't suppose that helps you much though. (Sorry, couldn't help myself...)

Actually, you bring up a very good point there. That a potential major safety hazard that I'm sure is sometimes overlooked. We'll have to work on that one...