Security & Theft Master keys

[drgnner]

Kubota came to pick up my tractor yesterday to add third function hydraulics. I had it ready for them when they arrived, including my spare key in the ignition switch. Well, the driver came over, I pointed to the tractor, he jumped into the cab and grabbed my spare key. He gave it back to me and then showed me all of his master keys for tractors. He said I don't need your key and besides, it could get lost over there. Do all company's have master keys for their tractors? If so, are all of these master keys secure all of the time?

Do tractors ever get stolen?

I stood there somewhat stunned as he went back, cranked it up and put it on the trailer with his master key and then left with my new tractor.

Since the topic is "Security and Theft", should I get a locksmith out here to change the locks?

What would you do?

 

[deserteagle71]

My understanding is that at least for Kubota tractors, all the ignition keys are the same. I found this out when I wanted to order a spare key for mine.

I definitely know this is true in the heavy equipment domain - if you have a Cat forklift, all Cat forklift keys will work in it. If you have a Cat haul truck, all Cat haul truck keys will work in it, etc. Guess they don't worry about theft and neither does Kubota!

 

[SmallTimeGuy]

Large truck manufacturers (semis) generally only use about 6 different keys as well. And yes every dealer will have master keys, my salesman had it on his personal key ring

 

[dusty3030]

Keys are the same. So you could take your key and go unlock or start any Kubota MX or L (maybe even more) out there.

Pretty much all tractor manufacturers are like this that I know of.

 

[RickB]

There are a dozen or perhaps fewer keys that would be required to start every Kubota machine ever built. Pretty much an industry wide truth, more or less.

 

[JethroB]

Yeah, when my tractor was delivered I asked the driver about getting a spare key. He said....here ya go, take one of mine.....and took one off his big key ring. I saw this available online for $30. Covers multiple equipment manufacturers.

 

[Smokeydog]

Tractors and construction equipment are easy to steal and resale. Sadly. Record your serial numbers. Put your name on them. Modify by welding something unique and identifiable. Secret switches to keep from starting or moving helps.

 

[Roadworthy]

With tractors, riding mowers, and other stuff the key isn't really a theft deterrent. It is more to keep kids and others from easily messing with it. If you want theft deterrent store it in a locked garage.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Terrible thing I once did as a kid.

A friend used to joy ride on construction equipment. I was once out with my Dad, who was engaged in a meeting, so went out to explore that town. It was having sewer construction, and I soon discovered a (generic) key under every seat of every piece of equipment, which I liberated. My friend got a key ring of a HUGE assortment of different makes of construction equipment.

I guess, Monday morning wasn't a good start (pun intended) for that construction project.

 

[Diggin It]

Has anybody tried to take their ignition switch to a locksmith to be rekeyed? Less likely that a dirtbag would bring a stock switch with them to swap out.

 

[Industrial Toys]

That would be a great thing to do. I have two spares for everything I own in a lock box, but so many people are not so organized, and I'm sure it would come back to bite them.

 

[Fallon]

A Komatsu dozer key works in a Komatsu excavator. I believe a Cat key works in most any Cat equipment. It's the way heavy equipment is. Nothing surprising about Kubota having 1 universal key. Not good from a security perspective. But if you look at how heavy equipment is used & shared, key managment would be a problem. You dont want your mechanic to be unable to work on a machine because the foreman or operator is elsewhere on the jobsite or went home for the day with the key in their pocket.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have always wondered how Police forces manage their keys.

 

[grsthegreat]

alot of commercial equipment are now using key code units to start and operate. key only needed for door.

 

[radios1]

even original house locks have master keys, it opens every lock in the development, you can't build hundreds of houses, and be carrying a separate key for all of them when you need the employees to finish up the houses!..

 

[RickB]

The term master key really does not apply to this discussion, Kubota and other manufacturers do not use master keys capable of working in differently configured locks or switches. Groups of switches are simply keyed alike and used in various models. For example the L series key I carry will start a 30+ year old three digit L series tractor or a brand new MX being driven off the truck from Gainesville.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Most places use combo key boxes.

Same guy, (later graduated to faster modes of transportation) used to pry the lock box off new vehicles at the dealership, take it home, pry it open and volla, a new car!

 

[John Skull]

Kioti keys, at least late model, are all the same AFAIK. I bought a set of 10 Kioti keys on Amazon and they are much more durable than the original (which had started to crack).

I'd guess that the average thief wouldn't know how to drive/operate a tractor anyway.

 

[RalphVa]

For JD, they pick it up with no key. Think the same key works all kinds of tractors. Go to a tractor lot and ask them if you can try your key in some tractors to see if the ignition will come on. Bet it will in almost all of them.

Ralph

 

[Electricbroom]

Mine goes to bed every night in locked garage, under live DVR surveillance with alarm system. Wife can't even get to it. Don't touch my BABY!