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 !