Security & Theft Theft prevention for tractor?

JD3130 · Jan 31, 2005

Around here most the ranchers and construction owners use GPA tracking devices on their tractors, they leave them parked all over. As I understand it, it is hidden deep in the tractor, and is activated when the machine is turned off. if the tractor is moved more than X feet it sends out a signal. Every once in awhile, there something in the news about the cops catching someone driving one off or trailering one.
Don't know what they cost? But they work.
JD

DirtHauler · Jan 31, 2005

Read where LoJack is installing thier devises in construction equiptment now. it's no bigger than a chalk eraser and can be hid deep inside where's it's impossible to find and no external antenna. Just another idea. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Cliff_Johns · Jan 31, 2005

Or, just put on a sign that says "This tractor protected by Lo Jack," and hope no one will steal it because they think it's protected.

Cliff

GregMVT · Feb 1, 2005

Cliff, that sounds like an invitation to trash it. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Moon · Feb 1, 2005

The warning sticker might work, but I'd have to wonder if the numskulls that would try to steal it would know what 'Lo Jack' was?
To prevent trashing how about a standard auto alarm. One of those that warn if a person is too close and warns of motion / movement. Maybe the alarm could be set up like home alarms so that it could call you if it goes off. I know this is available for home systems, not sure about auto systems.

Moon of Ohio

Mith · Feb 1, 2005

maybe a motoin sensor pointed at the steering wheel with a remote to set of a recording of a gunshot or something
would scare the heck out of a potetial theif and sacre off birds sitting on the wheel ready to make a mess /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

California · Feb 1, 2005

( how about a standard auto alarm? )

I've seen a fleet of earthmoving equipment on a large job where all the horns were wired to the starter motors. Made quite a racket every morning.

That was their response to midnight joyriding.

Cliff_Johns · Feb 1, 2005

I'm still liking the idea of painting your tractor to look like a cow. Even if they notice that it's not a cow, and they go ahead and steal it, it should be easy to track down. I mean, if you can say your tractor is white with big black splotches like a Holstein, it's much more likely to be spotted (ha) on a trailer headed south than if you said it was orange or green or blue.

Of course if you installed a proximity sensor and instead of sounding a horn or something when someone came near you had it play a "Moo" sound like a cow, the theif would either hurt himself laughing, or he would worry that the owner was so demented it might be dangerous to steal his tractor.

Cliff

California · Feb 2, 2005

( I'm still liking the idea of painting your tractor to look like a cow. ... if ... you had it play a "Moo" sound like a cow, the thief would either hurt himself laughing, or he would worry that the owner was so demented it might be dangerous to steal his tractor. -Cliff )

70's yanmar Leisure Suit Green seems to provoke the same effect.

Gamemaster · Feb 3, 2005

I am going to be in same situation with my tractor this year, but I have one solution. I have a camper at our property in the country that someone tried to break-in. Items started to "vanish". I purchased a "deer-trail" camera, mounted it to a tree, put camo around it. Caught the neighbor's kids on film...GOTCHA YA !....The police really enjoyed the visuals. Have not had a problem since. I figure it is tough to revisit the crime scene when you don't know where the camera is. Cheap/portable security system.....Enjoy !

JRobyn · Feb 3, 2005

I thought about doing that, but then I figured the flash would go off, giving away the camera location and I would have both a missing tractor AND a missing (or smashed) camera!

Gaspasser · Feb 10, 2005

I use a Club on the steering wheel. I also had the dealer put a keyed kill switch on it so you have to have 2 keys to start it. BUT - if they want it bad enough they'll get it. It just deters the ones that are not dertermined.

Paul

Soundguy · Feb 11, 2005

I think the 2nd key idea is a bit of 'spent' money.. with little return. If a crook is showing up to steal your tractor.. he's probably bringing a piece of wire to jumper the key switch anyway... I'd imagine he'd have 2 as well. If the 2nd switch is in a neat place.. like inline with the fuel solenoid kill.. a paperclip gets by that one too.

It's just gonna be virtually impossible to hold onta a tractor that someone else wants...

Course.. I'm one of those guys who believes we are way to lenient on criminals... perhaps if a few more of them exited the gene pool int he commission of their crime.. then the rest of them might think twice.. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Soundguy

slowrev · Feb 11, 2005

Soundguy,
I agree if someone wants to steal something bad enough and are smart enough they will steal it. I have done what I reasonably can. Changed the key switch to one that takes an individual key and keep it locked in a shed. I feel if they are sitting out in view they are just too tempting for some thieves.

Ben

EddieWalker · Feb 11, 2005

All security procedures are just delaying tactics. But for most criminals, a minor delay may be sufficiant. The pros will get it if they want it, but the most common criminal is the crack head, drug addict who is just looking for anything they can sell. If they can get it quick and easy, they will. Make it more dificult for them, and they will move on to the next house that hasen't taken the time to protect themselves.

tncruzin · Feb 17, 2005

I recently purchased a tractor and had the same concern about someone stealing it. I installed a toggle switch in the wire from the ignition to the starter. I hid the switch under the engine housing so that it was not visible unless you lie down and look up from the ground. With the switch ON the tractor starts as normal but with it OFF nothing happens when you turn the key. If they have a key or try to hotwire the switch it still won't start.

Soundguy · Feb 18, 2005

( If they have a key or try to hotwire the switch it still won't start. )

Where do you store your tractor at? Address? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Can't hotwire it because you put a kill switch in it? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Please.. I hope you are not being serious....

That's the whole point of a hotwire. you are going right from the battery to whatever you are powering.. like fuel solenoid.. and/or starter relay. You are bypassing everything in between.

A coat hanger and screwdriver would be all that was needed to steal your tractor... let alone a 4.99 pack of aligator clip leads from radio shack.. those are practically 'spare' keys for most agricultural equipment... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

good luck.. all that kill switch will do is keep the honest crooks away.. or the dumb ones.. course usually when you outsmart the dumb ones then I'd expect to see some sand around the gas cap, and the oil fill...

Soundguy

slowrev · Feb 18, 2005

don't make your tractor attractive to thieves, No wax or wash. Keep it dirty and rusty. Let the air out of one of the rear tires, always park it in a small area that you don't mow, etc...

Moon · Feb 18, 2005

One more idea that I haven't seen mentioned in this thread.
Use one or two mobile home tie downs. The are 4' long cork screws with loops at the top of them. Meant to hold down a mobil home in the event of a tornado / hurricane.
Anyway, if you screwed them into the ground and put a hefty chain or steel cable through your rear tractor wheel (one wheel would do) and lock it with a heavy duty lock. It would be rather hard for any theif to take. They couldn't unscrew the tie downs with a chain /cable hooked to them. I used this method when I had to leave our boat outside and away from our house. Maybe it would work for you.

Moon of Ohio

slowrev · Feb 18, 2005

Pretty good idea on the anchor. Of course I wonder how many times I would forget and try to take off without unhooking it and say aw *&^% /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Should work pretty well though if the thief is not equipped with bolt cutters.

Ben