Preventing theft

[Yellow Duck]

My tractor is stored far away from my house so in case someone would try to steal it, to make their life harder I was thinking installing a switch either on the stop solenoid or the clutch switch, does this makes any sense? Could taking power off the stop solenoid could damage something?

Thanks

 

[EddieWalker]

Most auto parts stores sell a on off switch that you put in the middle of a battery cable that might do what you want. Do you have a fuse that you can pull to stop it from starting? Some construction equipment have metal plates that go over the dash, or where the key is located that is lockable. Taking off the front tires and bringing them home might help.

 

[Yellow Duck]

Thanks for the answer!
I was thinking about a concealed switch, easely accessible (under the dash as an example) that could prevent fuel from flowing or engine to start. So a small switch that would cut-off power to the stop solenoid, stop relay, or start relay.

 

[s219]

Other quick ideas are to use some of the existing safety switches to prevent someone from starting the tractor. When I have to leave my tractor unattended, I engage the PTO lever. Could also use the safety switches on the seat (may or may not affect starting, but sure as heck can't move the tractor) and HST treadle (can't start). Use a shim to prevent the seat from applying pressure to the seat sensor when someone sits down. Use a block of wood under the floor to engage the HST treadle mechanism. All easy stuff and the tractor is already setup with these things.

With both the PTO switch and HST treadle switch engaged, if someone tries to hotwire the tractor, it won't start. Even with a key it won't start. They'd have to know about, and then troubleshoot any of those safety switches to get it to start. If they are in a hurry, chances are they don't have time to do this.

If the seat sensor is engaged and it's an HST model, the engine will die as soon as they try to move. Again, if they're in a hurry they won't have time to figure this out.

For extra protection, you could wire your own hidden switch into one of the safety circuits. So then not only would they need to know all the safety switches to deactivate, they'd also need to find your switch and deactivate that.

Lots of options. Think about the intended target and figure out which ones will work.

 

[PILOON]

Very simple.
Simply disconnect any one wire from any of the safety switches, that or install an on/off switch in a safety switch line.

Mt CUT had a safety switch on the shifter that was defective and previous owner simply connected the 2 wires to complete the circuit.
My 'anti theft' is to simply unplug the connectors that live under my seat.

LOL, from time to time I forget and somewhat panic thinking I have a dead battery until I remember my anti theft' gimmick.

Added to that my key broke in the switch and remains there, I simply use a stubby flat screwdriver to activate the switch.

OR add a switch (panel mounted) in a safety line and label it 'turbocharger'-----or if open station mark it 'air conditioning' LOL

(as an aircraft mechanic I installed more than a few phantom switches to ground out magnetos in order to prevent aircraft theft.)

 

[downsizingnow48]

I do what others have said. I disconnect the clutch safety switch and engage the PTO. Also position the tractor so it cannot be easily dragged onto a roll back tow truck. If you have a backhoe, stick it straight out to the side rather than tucked in back, and put the stabilizers down. If the tractor cannot be started or dragged it is not likely to be stolen.

 

[Yellow Duck]

Thanks a lot for all the good advices!

I already put down the backhoe, and lock the joystick. There is no safety switch under the seat so I will go with the clutch safety switch option and engage the pto, seems easier done.
Most of the time we are at home but the tractor sits out of sight at the sugar house so I just want to make sure that they can't start it, also the way it is park it would be difficult to drag out.

 

[lennyzx11]

I saw a horn connected to the key switch in the start position and an ordinary button used for start. Unknowing people would always blow the horn trying to start it which was also fun to watch!

 

[Yellow Duck]

Am I wrong or looking at the electric diagram, if I put a short between the battery cable on the start solenoid and the starter it bypass the start relay and clutch switch, so if the key switch is on that would start the engine?

 

[Thomas]

Hidden switch also game cam for back up.

 

[bcp]

Use an in-line fuse or an empty space in your fuse block. Use the circuit to ground something. The fuse must be removed to start the tractor.

Bruce

 

[GregP27]

The only thing wrong with that is people see you removing it when you start it.

I'd put a switch somewhere near the dipstick or some other place where you would normally perfom a check of the tractor before running it. That way, it can be sort of hidden. You flick the switch when you check the oil. They don't normally monitor you all that closely when you leave the tractor in order to steal it, but they watch for what you do before you start it. When you leave they're just watching to see when you go away. Maybe put it down near the seat belt where you reach down around it anyway?

I like the idea above about leaving a control engaged as part of the theft system.

I had one friend who out an external battery disconnect on his hot rod near the front fender. He also located a hidden switch near the finder inside. When he knelt down to operate the battery switch, he ran his inside hand into the fender well to enable the hidden switch. That car was never stolen and there were several attempts at it.

Same guy was running about 750 HP on the street and did something I have seen only once since on a race car. He separated the starter switch from the ignition. That way, he could run the starter until he had oil pressure before switching on the ignition. Maybe not an anti-theft thing, but it saved startup when there was no oil filim inside the engine. But separating the starter from the ignition would allow a remote starter ebalbe switch AND a remote ignition enable switch. The combination would be much harder to bypass as it would also be completely unexpected by most people, including thieves.

 

[bcp]

Most all cars used to have that arrangement. Turn the key, then push the started button. Before those, you turned the key, then pushed the starter pedal.

Bruce

 

[GregP27]

Yes, but most of them would not allow you to run the starter with the key off, and that is the whole point. Especially on a high-performance engine, get oil pressure before enabling the ignition. I'd usually crank for some 7 - 10 turns before the oil pressure came up. THEN I'd start it ...

Our engines lasted a long time and looked good internally at rebuild. Most engines get a LOT of their wear when they frist start up dry, with no oil pressure. I don't let the guys at the oil change places start my vehicles anymore, when I go there. The last one who did started it and reved to about 1,500 rpm. He said they get oil pressure quicker that way. I threw him out of the truck and said he didn't know a thing about engines. They got upset but declined to do anything about it. After that, I now start it and just let it idle until it gets pressure.

But when I get a tractor, I'll use that old technique on it.