Security & Theft Preventing Theft... Ideas Wanted...

[JDgreen227]

Roy,

Reading your post gave me an idea, on my JD a lid on top of the hood flips up to expose the filler cap. On models like mine it would be easy to install a small round lock that has a tab on the back that turns with the key. These can be found at many good hardware stores or a lock shop, the body is about an inch across and they use a thin nut that threads onto the lock body to secure it. The mounting hole would only be about an inch across and the lock would sit almost flush with the hood. It would not be very strong but would likely deter someone from tampering with your fuel supply.

Of course, using this type of lock to secure the fuel cap means you have to secure the hood also.

 

[Winejon]

I keep my two Kubotas in a barn. A neighbor across the road keeps an eye on things, in large part because I let him store some of his equipment there. His advice: fire is a bigger danger than theft, so don't disable the equipment. I took his advice, and have hidden keys to both tractors in the barn in a place he knows about.
Has anyone spoken to their insurers about this tension between loss by theft and loss by fire? Insurers might have a point of view not only about relative risks but also about how they view disabling a piece of insured equipment.

 

[DKinWA]

I just scanned through the posts, so you'll have to excuse me if this was already suggested. I think this was actually mentioned on another board, but my memory isn't what it used to be. If it's a newer tractor, leave the transmission in gear and the pto lever ever so slightly engaged. If the neutral safety switch on the transmission doesn't stump them the pto one should. I hooked the pto lever with my jacket one time getting on and I'll bet it took me 10 minutes to figure out why it wouldn't start /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Moon]

I can't believe you guys haven't mentioned this before ....
Remove the key from the ignition!!!
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[dylan]

I'm building an anti theft device right now. It consists of two pieces of square tube that slide into one another. There are are holes drill up and down the tubes. Both tubes have plates on the ends. The idea is to place it under the clutch and extend the steel by sliding one piece out. Then I plan to put a huge lock through the holes. This will hold the clutch in the up position so no one will be able to drive off with it.
With the cab on the tractor, potential thieves won't see it until they have unlocked the cab. It also might be harder to remove than an external cable, which would be easier to work on.
I saw such a device on an infomercial. They were bashing the "club" but were touting this device to put under the brake petal. Don't remeber the actual name.
Might slow them down enough for someone to spot them.

 

[Dave___in___CT]

Hi...

Nice idea with the clutch restraint !
It will be more difficult to start/drive the tractor with the clutch engaged... but it can probably still be shifted to neutral... bypass the clutch safety start switch (if it has one) then start... force-shift into gear... and go... ??


While searching for info... I read from a professional to emboss/engrave your own ID (like your driver's liscense number) into parts of the equipment for later ID... since the manufacturer's ID tags are easily removed... take some pictures too...

I found (and ordered) a metal etching kit so I can do this... gonna use it on my tools too...

The pro. also suggests engaging the loader/backhoe/implement into the ground.. or around other equipment... making it difficult to tow the tractor if it can't be started...


I solved my "lockable" fuel cap issue... to make it "tamper proof"...
Epoxied a common "U" shaped 1/2" copper pipe strap to the top of the cap...
Got thinner steel cable and formed a closed loop at each end with cramped cable connectors...
Pass the cable thru the "U" on the cap... and part of the tractor... lock the 2 loop ends together... this will(should) prevent the cap from being fully unscrewed... haven't tried it yet...


Dave...

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Dave,

Make sure your insurance policy is for 100% replacement cost not ACV, actual cash value, or has co-insurance, because you may end up with not enough $$ to buy a replacement. Also what deductible do you have? I have a $2500 deductible, that could be a pain if only the implements are taken.

 

[Dave___in___CT]

Hi...


I got the tractor property insurance thru Kubota... unfortunately it's for actual cash value... only $250 or $500 deducatble though...


Thanks....

Dave...

 

[Soundguy]

Along the same lines as leaving a lever engaged.. many new tractors also have either a clutch or seat switch.. .. My ford is that way... gotta hve the clutch in or no starter... Would be easy to install a lamp cord inline switch.. the roller kind.. just click it off, and the sensor never sees the clutch depressed.. same with seat. Could also do it with the fuel solenoid shutoff wire on the diesels.. though they could run the starter to death... just do both... real hard to start then... yet ony a few clicks away from you starting it.

Soundguy

 

[jwstewar]

Here is what I do. I keep me tractor in my unfinished pole barn under the half of the roof that has sheeting. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

First thing I do is drop the loader to the ground. The 12LA then has a little knob that you can turn that won't allow you to raise or lower the loader. I engage that. I then engage both mid & rear PTOs, make sure I leave the tractor in gear, put it in 4WD, lower the rear implement (if I have one on). Now the next part I do both ways. The parking brake. One feeling says to set it so in case they get it started maybe they won't figure out how to make the hydro work another part of me say leave it disengaged in case they are trying to start it from by standing on the ground (it won't start that way w/o the brake set). Are any of these fool proof? No, but it might slow them down or confuse the city kids out looking for a prank or something to pull.

Longer term plan is to finish the pole barn. Hopefully the weather will start cooperating again so I can start working on it some more.