How to keep a tractor from getting stolen?

Wa11banger · Oct 30, 2015

varmint said:
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?

Although I agree with you totally, most people are not willing to take that kind of time.. Both methods you mention are loud and very conspicuous.. We have had scrappers on our property.. I lost two batteries, a couple of odd tools but they didn't even fuss with the container. With that being said.. I made it a pain in the *** for them.. I locked all four dogs with those 13klbs locks.. Then to be fun I put a uncut-table cable and another one of those 13klbs locks through the inside two locking dogs.. Takes me a minute to get in.. Would probably wear out a battery grinder though. I have a Makita Battery grinder in the container although I am not willing to test how long it will take the cut the locks off

Best thing for me is several wireless solar cameras hidden on property since batteries were stolen and my neighbor.. He knows no one should be there during the week. He is the Sheriffs brother, response time should be better than average.

flusher · Oct 31, 2015

varmint said:
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?

Right on. Those $100 battery powered 4-1/2" angle grinders can cut through even the GSA security locks that the feds use on security containers containing classified stuff.

dntfxr · Oct 31, 2015

Belgian Malinois work pretty well. Nothing's foolproof though. I guess good insurance is always the best bet.

skyhook · Nov 1, 2015

A small box that "light's" up when the fuel solenoid is activated or the clutch is depressed that say's...GPS HAS NOW BEEN ACTIVATED

Ron50 · Nov 8, 2015

Just recieved this from a friend. Appears to cell phone based so it should work inside of most buildings or transport trailers. 302 Found

Ron50 · Nov 8, 2015

Just recieved this from a friend. Appears to cell phone based so it should work inside of most buildings or transport trailers. 302 Found

Wa11banger · Nov 9, 2015

I talked with them Ron50.. great idea and in the future might even be able to be used exactly how intended as part of this discussion.. unfortunately for it to work outside of 100ft there has to be another TILE user there.. I looked on a map on their website and most major cities have a ton of people using it.. but in my rural area there wasn't a single dot

not enough penetration for it to be viable as a relocation device

Ron50 · Nov 9, 2015

What I was hoping for is a hit during the theft. If it was inside of trailer the cell signal might penetrate better than GPS signals. In my situation at the boarder crossing into Mexico. Even someone who doesn't live in your area might recieve a hit. You're right that future expansion would help this system.

Jgrimm · Nov 9, 2015

I just installed a GPS on my machine. I leave it at my property for extended periods. I did a lot of research and purchased a calamp ttu-1220 unit. There are cheaper ones on the market but this is a robust unit. I could not justify $200-300/year in tracking so I purchased a gpsgate server and installed it on a machine at my business. With a truphone sim card for about $45.00 I will be able to track it for about 4 years before I use all the data. I can track 4 more devices with the server license I have, I only need another GPS+sim card to add another vehicle.

GPS unit $140.00
Sim $45.00
Server $49.00

Warning, this setup is not for the faint of heart. The GPS unit is highly configurable and requires scripting skills. For example, you can have the device report in, sleep, disable ignition, send texts all based on conditions you set up. You also need a static IP and IT skills. I am going to add one to my atvs, etc.

Obviously, cell coverage is required or at least required somewhere a thief might transport it.

joefromga · Nov 9, 2015

That's JCB. They make them there. It's in Pooler, GA outside of Savannah. There are actually bridges just under the water that they drive them out to the islands. During Christmas time they will put lights around the loader backhoes and it looks really cool.