GPS Tracker for a tractor

[WinterDeere]

A trail cam like this with solar power and lte connectivity to monitor the parking area. You can check the image and if its 2 legged call the police and/or neighbor. I believe you get 100 free images per month and additional plans are available from $5 to $15

https://www.amazon.com/SPYPOINT-LINK-MICRO-S-LTE-V-Link-Micro-S-LTE-V-SPP/dp/B086SG2TFF

Then you get to watch the thief steal your tractor, before he steals your trail cam!

How much was the iPhone? You have to include at least one Apple product in the cost for a first timer. Worthless to me because I don't do Apple.

Hence my posts above about Tile. Platform-independent, more widely deployed.

I have never and will never be that paranoid about theft to go to those extremes. I carry insurance, plain and simple for replacement value.

I land somewhere in the middle. While I'd not be going to extremes, I'm also not going to expect any insurance to actually replace older equipment in better than average condition. You will get the going rate minus your deductible, which is likely way below the cost of actually replacing any older piece of equipment you've bothered to keep in good working order.

Same here Oversized. I'm usually carrying my 44 anyway. Open carry is legal here.

If they have seen you and know you're open carry, especially with that big .44 showpiece, that's a good deterrent. But short of that, it's hard to claim self-defense after shooting a tractor thief as he drives off with your machine in tow.

 

[MossRoad]

Also remember that the OP is 60 miles away from the machine. He can carry all the firearms he wants. Won't do him any good from home. He's talking about recovering the machine should it be stolen, and some simple measures he can take to deter theft.

All of us know a determined thief is gonna try their best, and sometimes it's unstoppable, so insurance is the best insurance to cover the inevitable loss.

 

[airbiscuit]

I like the hidden disconnect and a nest of wires hanging out (good if they are a little charred). I still would consider a trail cam or 2 tied to your cell phone (apple or android). I would think you could find a way to conceal it (and maybe put a dummy camera in broad sight for them to take and think they're done). It helps not only to monitor your tractor, but also to see if anyone is nosing around. As a bonus, you might see some game. Camera is about $100 and cell transmission about $5/mo

 

[YanmarFever]

You cant drive a tractor away if its missing a front tire....
Very easy to put back on when you need it.

 

[ponytug]

How much was the iPhone? You have to include at least one Apple product in the cost for a first timer. Worthless to me because I don't do Apple.

You could get a used iPad on eBay for less than $50, or an older iPhone or iPod, with no cell plan. Plus you would have a tablet.

Or use Tiles. Or both. (Most effective)

I have a few trail cameras on my property and they work pretty good, but not always. From what I've seen on Facebook and other sites, trail cameras usually get stolen from the criminal since they are so hard to hide, and also have in a position to get a good picture.

On this property, there are a few large oak trees, a few buildings, and a lot of open area. I do not think that a game camera will accomplish anything.

I like the idea of making the tractor harder to start. I really like the loose wires idea!!! Make it look broke down. I agree that a chain is too easy to cut off to be of much use.

I'm looking at the different tracking devises suggested. In my opinion, I have two thief issues. The local kids who take it for fun, or the pro who takes it to sell somewhere out of the area. In both cases, I believe my only chance of getting it back will be with some sort of tracking devise. Fortunately, it's an older, 2wd, open station tractor that isn't as desirable as some newer, better equipped tractors. But it's also a 2012 without any smog on it, so there's some demand for that.

I would do a fair bit to keep joyriders off. They can do a lot of damage to the tractor and themselves through ignorance and fooling around.

If removing a front tire works for you, that sounds pretty effective to me. It is a lot harder for a thief to tote a wheel around, and it looks pretty suspicious to anyone else; "So, let me get this straight, you don't own a John Deere, and last week you just decided to buy a 10-16.5 John Deere front wheel for the heck of it? Uhhunh. Right...."

A 2012 tractor isn't exactly old in my book, especially if it hasn't been used daily as a farm tractor. I would be inclined to do a few things to limit its attractiveness. Even a tarp over it would help.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Tinhack]

You could get a used iPad on eBay for less than $50, or an older iPhone or iPod, with no cell plan. Plus you would have a tablet.

As I said, I don't do Apple. Even if it was free.

 

[WinterDeere]

As I said, I don't do Apple. Even if it was free.

As someone who's gone back and forth a few times, and presently owns a half dozen of each, you're missing out! Right now, my family is gathered on the couch in my office behind me, one on a Chrome Book, one on an iPad, and one on an Android tablet. Another two iPads and another Android are sitting on the chargers in the next room, and I'm facing three laptops and two desktops of mixed brands and OS's. Never saw much point in being brand loyal to any one OS or hardware, or hampering myself to avoid one, especially one as good as Apple.

Ever hear of cutting off your nose, to spite your face?

 

[MossRoad]

You cant drive a tractor away if its missing a front tire....
Very easy to put back on when you need it.

Uh....

 

[TimberFarm]

I like the hidden disconnect and a nest of wires hanging out (good if they are a little charred). I still would consider a trail cam or 2 tied to your cell phone (apple or android). I would think you could find a way to conceal it (and maybe put a dummy camera in broad sight for them to take and think they're done). It helps not only to monitor your tractor, but also to see if anyone is nosing around. As a bonus, you might see some game. Camera is about $100 and cell transmission about $5/mo

As long as you have a cell signal available.

 

[airbiscuit]