Converting safety seat switch circuit into a hidden engine kill switch?

[jonwarner]

Hello,
I've been thinking about a good way to create a anti-theft hidden engine kill switch and I was wondering if anyone else has used the seat safety switch for this purpose. The idea would be to tap into the existing circuit and add a switch, somewhere hidden which can be used to disable the engine. I think it could optionally be used to just disable the safety feature, but I'd like to keep it in tact. Whether you want it disabled or not, I think it would be good from an anti-theft prospective if it looked like the seat safety circuit was not modified.

See the attached circuit, I think I can just tap line 6 and and a switch, hide it under the tractor somewhere near the line going back to the seat from the safety controller. Will have to find a weather proof high quality switch I guess.

 

[jonwarner]

I guess if you wanted to disable the safety, you'd want to do something like the following attached curcuit.

 

[CobyRupert]

Seems like disconnecting/unplugging (or installing a switch in) any of those wires would disable the vehicle. No?

 

[jonwarner]

Well, yes, kind of, when you disconnect or unplug, thats the point of a "kill switch", but with a switch you can re-connect or plug back in and then the vehicle is re-enabled.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Some people just leave pto switch on. I'm thinking a battery disconnect switch may be more useful, anti theft and disconnect power.

 

[jonwarner]

I think the PTO switch is a good idea, but obvious if your thief knows much of anything. The battery disconnect is a good idea also, but obvious and usually easy to jump...? I was just thinking this mod would be easy to hide making it less obvious.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Many (50) years ago I installed alarm systems. An older fellow I knew said the only thing you can buy with security is time.

 

[notaz3]

I pull the fuel pump fuse to keep kids from messing with tractors.
Good insurance to prevent "loss" from a real thief. If they want your tractor, they will show up with the equipment to load it onto a flatbed, and away they go.

 

[thepumpguysc]

Good idea notaz3..
& ur right about the tools needed..
All u really need is a remote start button and a length of wire to energize a shut off solenoid..

 

[jaxs]

To prevent, slow or make difficylt to start your idea is good as any but location and value of tractor dictates type theft detarant that works best. Most tractors are stolen by crooks driving around in a roll-back looking for easy targets. A local dealer was busted a few years ago using a roll-back with box truck type cover he sat on and off with his sky track. He would take tractors to distant auctions then steal a tractor or equipment on trip back home. He sometimes used snatch blocks,cables and a helper to steer tractor as he pulled it out where it could be loaded. When busted he over a million dollars worth stolen equipment stored a few miles from the warehouse where it would be brought later to make ready for auction. Texas and Southwest Cattle Raisers Association detective thought 2 cases of attempted tractor theft were foiled by brake on a rear wheel locked making them squirrely to steer and load. In another rash of construction equipment theft a man was dragged off seat of a machine and ran over when he failed to position a "safty cable" correctly. Inexplicably machine thefts ceased. Using some imagination, there's countless ways of deterring thieves.