How to keep a tractor from getting stolen?

bmaverick · Oct 10, 2015

If you have a small lake or large pond with a nice island, park it there. Just keep the drawbridge up.

Turbys_1700 · Oct 10, 2015

My idea is to first of all keep them out of sight if possible. If you can't do that disconnect the battery and wheel chocks on the front and back wheels locked. Chain to an immovable object. Another thing that helps is to have several cars on the premises at all times if possible. Most thieves know when you go to work. I have 4 vehicle and park them at different places from time to time and drive different ones to work occasionally. I am lucky that my schedule is not the same and I am at home different times of the day.

ultrarunner · Oct 10, 2015

Read somewhere on a construction site they would build a moat around the tractors... with of without water...

Kind of like the Island approach mentioned above.

RaydaKub · Oct 11, 2015

ultrarunner said:
Read somewhere on a construction site they would build a moat around the tractors... with of without water.

With please. And gators. Several gators.

prichard · Oct 29, 2015

ultrarunner said:
Read somewhere on a construction site they would build a moat around the tractors... with of without water...

Kind of like the Island approach mentioned above.

There's a heavy equipment dealer on 95 in GA or FL that has display equipment on islands next to the interstate. Not sure if that's for theft or drama.

Wa11banger · Oct 29, 2015

Doitwithlife said:
I like the idea of getting a 20' steel shipping container for long term unattended storage. I suspect a solid lock would make one of those a vault

Would storing a tractor with its onboard diesel fuel in a hot container for a month at a time be a problem? I've stepped into one of those and found it to be an oven during even our summer months. I would think taking the battery and keeping it near on a trickle charger would be a useful for battery life and a bit more security.

Not a problem at least for smaller tractors.. Have had my 40HP stored in a 40' high bay container when not in use for 15 months now.. I do however, have it parked as the first thing just inside the door so that it has minimal run time inside. I just ease on out at idle right after starting it so I don't kill myself with the exhaust fumes

No trickle charger, but I use it most every weekend... Plus its just a great flat semi clean place if you need to work on it

varmint · Oct 29, 2015

Container storage sounds good, but what kind of lock can you install that can't be cut open in 3 minutes with an angle grinder, or a small portable torch?

PILOON · Oct 29, 2015

No matter what you do a professional will get it if the market is hot for your model.
Torches, battery grinders and 'tilt n loads' make that easy.

The druggy or joy rider is a different story.
Disabling a critical circuit will accomplish that goal, be it a safety switch, pulling a rotor on a gas tractor etc etc.
On mine I simply short out a safety circuit that really is not obvious.

You could pull all 4 wheels and with a tilt and load they still can take it.

CYA for the 'joy rider' and carry good insurance for the 'pro's'

LindenBruce · Oct 29, 2015

This looks like a good viable option. Don't know on costs. B.

https://www.geoforce.com/tracking-devices

BigBoyToys · Oct 29, 2015

I wanted some extra storage and bought a 26' "Truck Trailer" which had the axle assembly cut off. Cost me $1800 including delivery. I use one of these locks... Master Lock Magnum 2-1/2 in. Solid Body Padlock with 2 in. Shackle-M930XKADLHCCSEN - The Home Depot and haven't had any issue, not that I really expected to.

I'm currently digging a monolithic slab to put up a new storage building where the tractor will reside. I'll still keep the trailer as it's great extra storage!!!