How to keep a tractor from getting stolen?

[DarrellSimpson]

Well , For now I chained it to a tree with the chain going through and around the FEL mounts , They could unpin the FEL and pull of the chain but that would require starting it to get the load off the pins and then the knowledge of removing the mount , but that of course is assuming they don't have a quality bolt cutter or grinder . Lately the crooks have been steeling the cats off of the cars in the store parking lots and actually cutting a large hole in the sheet metal around the truck and car doors to access the lock and open the door . Years ago my dad got so fed up with the dog lifting his leg on everything that he alligator clipped the hot side of 110 volt to the tractor and let the dog complete the circuit , poor dog never peed on a wheel again , To bad we couldn't do something like that for a thief , but sadly there are laws protecting them . I guess until the shop is built I will cross my fingers and get insurance . But I'm still eyeballing the hidden switch idea .

 

[varmint]

A hidden switch, linked to the fuel cut-off, if there is one, might be easy and effective. The meth heads likely won't be too good at troubleshooting if it turns over but doesn't run, or dies after starting. A shame we have to deal with this stuff, though. In Maryland, god help you if you shoot a thief that isn't personally threatening your life.

 

[ultrarunner]

The Catalytic thefts are epidemic... know two people that it happened to and both were at shopping malls...

It's kind of obvious... you drive to the mall the car is quiet.. you start it after shopping and it sounds like a dragster...

 

[Kubota 2350]

Insurance when I'm away, .45 for when I'm home.

 

[RaydaKub]

I like the idea of a wire that has to be unhooked to allow the tractor to start. That would fool most people. You could possibly install a reverse acting relay ( not sure what it should be called, but one that needs the power removed to energize the circuit, as opposed to a normal relay that needs the power added to energize the circuit) (did that make sense, a normal relay fails open, remove the power and the circuit it controls de-energizes, and you would be wanting one that fails closed, so remove, unplug, the power to it and it will energize the circuit). Then put it in line on a circuit that needs power for the tractor to start, such as a fuel pump or starter solenoid circuit, or possibly a seat safety switch.

Unfortunately, a relay such as this (always on and draining) could very easily kill the battery, especially if you had some remote property that you don't visit for a week, month, or even 1/2 a year.

 

[kevinwak]

Unfortunately, a relay such as this (always on and draining) could very easily kill the battery, especially if you had some remote property that you don't visit for a week, month, or even 1/2 a year.

wouldn't have to be always on. Only on when trying to start.

 

[lennyzx11]

I worked as a repo agent for a few years. One of the best ones I saw was two part.
A hardened chain and round security lock was ran around the frame rail over the rear wheel and through rim.
The second part was ingenious. The horn was wired with a latching relay connected to the starter solenoid. The deactivation side was wired to the cigarette lighter. You had to push the lighter in or when the key went to start the horn would start blowing. And not stop.
Didn't stop from using a rollback though.

 

[xtn]

I figure tractor thieves and trailer thieves are two different groups. So I chained my tractor and trailer together.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I like the horn to the starter solenoid idea. Such simple little (unusual) things can have a big effect. Sometimes, if I have to park in an uncomfortable area, I will engage a PTO. Simple but effective.

Cordless grinders can render the hardest chain or lock pretty much useless. Or a small torch pack.

 

[dickfoster]

I like the horn to the starter solenoid idea. Such simple little (unusual) things can have a big effect. Sometimes, if I have to park in an uncomfortable area, I will engage a PTO. Simple but effective.

Cordless grinders can render the hardest chain or lock pretty much useless. Or a small torch pack.

Since when did tractors have horns? I've got a brand new tractor and it has no horn. Was I short changed?