securing mini-x at remote location

[k0ua]

Also parking the machine with the cab perpendicular to the tracks helps - hard to winch it on a trailer and take off with it not starting and sitting in that position.

That seems like a really good idea.

 

[tjkubota93]

Battery disconnect, fuel shutoff, a few chains to trees, plates that go over the dash.
Maybe you could even remove a Joystick controller.

Depending how your diesel is shutoff, disconnect the electrical or is oldschool and shut off with a kill lever, unhook the cable or level in the off position.

Yeah hold the fuel shut off closed. Zip tie or bailing wire.

In addition to a beefy tongue lock, I used to pull my trailer next to and up against trees in my yard so you could only get it out with something small enough to move the trailer backwards without hitting the trees with the vehicle. It was too heavy for a person to move and too many obstructions to back a truck up to it. That cost me a tail light once though....
Also after a rain, I couldn't access my trailer without making a huge mess.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

No idea if it works or not, never went missing, on my BX way back up under the fuel tank I placed a valve in the line, mainly to keep from pinching it when changing the filter. With the ground clearance of a BX it is a real crawl to find it much less turn it. I leave it at the church from time to time and always park it under the parking lot lights. The local Sheriff deputy told me after a robbery at my house that lots of light on property is a good deterrent. Stops the low fruit pickers especially. Had the power company install a big light on the power pole close to the garage and tractor parking lot. No more robbery so who knows.

Ron

 

[4570Man]

Yeah hold the fuel shut off closed. Zip tie or bailing wire.

In addition to a beefy tongue lock, I used to pull my trailer next to and up against trees in my yard so you could only get it out with something small enough to move the trailer backwards without hitting the trees with the vehicle. It was too heavy for a person to move and too many obstructions to back a truck up to it. That cost me a tail light once though....
Also after a rain, I couldn't access my trailer without making a huge mess.

If I’m leaving my trailer somewhere I don’t trust I just set the hitch on the ground without lowering the jacks. I figured since it’s over 1,000 pound on the hitch empty ( L3800 won’t pick it up ) that there’s zero chance of 2 guys lifting it up and any means to lift it up would take longer than cutting of any practical locking device.

 

[4570Man]

No idea if it works or not, never went missing, on my BX way back up under the fuel tank I placed a valve in the line, mainly to keep from pinching it when changing the filter. With the ground clearance of a BX it is a real crawl to find it much less turn it. I leave it at the church from time to time and always park it under the parking lot lights. The local Sheriff deputy told me after a robbery at my house that lots of light on property is a good deterrent. Stops the low fruit pickers especially. Had the power company install a big light on the power pole close to the garage and tractor parking lot. No more robbery so who knows.

Ron

I guess if they planned on driving it off you’d catch them down the road but I’m guessing it would still run for several minutes like that. Plenty of time to drive on a trailer.

 

[oosik]

Well hidden kill switch - park with boom perpendicular to tracks - good insurance policy.

 

[laurencen]

when my machine is at the lake typically I disconnect the lift pump and turn the boom 90 degrees extended and on the ground, be hard to load the machine in this condition, with the pump disconnected it does start but runs less than 10 seconds

 

[mike48130]

Put game cameras on the the access road/path in and out of your property. At least you'll have something to show to the LEOs if it does get stolen/damaged. Additionally don't leave the trailer with the excavator. And as Eddie said, cordless grinders can defeat just about any locking mechanism, so his idea of a kill switch will slow down or stop most common thieves. It's tough to try and outwit determined criminals.....

SimS

Cameras a good idea. Bottom line with my 18V 4-1/2" cut off grinder, I can get thru any lock and bring a battery and fuses with me if you have the time. With no one around, they have all day.

What is the nearest neighbor or something? Maybe you can work out a deal to store it near by. Just a thought. I have the same concerns with stuff at my house and other property. Trailer especially. I have found no way to protect them that can't be undone in about 10 minutes with the right tools. They have GPS trackers now that are cheap. May be worth it. And get a solar battery charger for it and mount to the roof.

 

[caver]

Maybe last winter? I was bored and a suggestion came up on YT. It's a company that provides equipment tracking in the UK and have filmed their recoveries.
Stolen Takeuchi TB 235 Compact Excavator Automatrics find operation Ashen 3rd Dec 218 - YouTube

 

[Mikefromcny]

As a heavy equipment mechanic, I can get past most of the stuff you guys mentioned. Your best bet is a hidden gps and yank the starter if possible. Maybe quick disconnect s on the positive cable and whatever wires run to the starter.

 

[thepumpguysc]

My thoughts exactly Mike.. IF someone is going after a piece of equipment, chances are, they know how to start 1 & what makes'm tick..
I too can start any machine w/o a key, but that info stays w/ me..
So other than finding it "after the fact".. & a remote disconnect.. I don't see a 100% solution..
& if your not dealing w/ pro's.. then its kids & if they cant start it.. they'll destroy it..
IDK if it was this thread or another but someone was looking for a similar solution & he fabbed-up a steel dash pad cover to protect hos gauges.. he just flipped it down & ran a padlock.. THEN they went after the gas tank.!! {kids}.. Luckily he caught it before he fired it up.. but ended up padlocking that too..

 

[Rebeldad1]

I would like to thank everyone who participated in this forum.
I dont plan on leaving my excavator anywhere BUT If I have to I am armed with gteat information on how to.

 

[Code54]

You're welcome. Best of luck in the future!

 

[fried1765]

I'll have to look for the rotor on my Perkins Diesel in the Cat. Lol

Give up a posting when you find it.

 

[Sodo]

Get a hose pincher and put it on the fuel line.
They're small, maybe it can be hidden.
Might want to test it, verify you clamped the correct hose.
Don't clamp it so tight it ruins the hose.
It just has to run poorly (very poor).

 

[Cat_Driver]

Unisteer Battery Disconnect Switches 8 - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing

 

[40_acre_mule]

I appreciate all the thoughts. I think the hidden switch in line with the ignition is one thing I'll add.
I'm currently chaining the left hand controls in the down position. It wont start unless those are pivoted up.
I am also wedging it between two trees.
Probably break down and buy a GPS too

 

[laurencen]

Get a hose pincher and put it on the fuel line.
They're small, maybe it can be hidden.
Might want to test it, verify you clamped the correct hose.
Don't clamp it so tight it ruins the hose.
It just has to run poorly (very poor).

I would recommend a in line tap, they cost around 20 dollars and can be spliced in anywhere in the fuel line, hidden discretely, the unit will start but only until the fuel in injector is used up a couple mins idle, did this on a 420 bobcat, on that machine it never was a issue having to bleed the lines once it stopped, same thing with taking voltage from the pump

 

[Rebeldad1]

how about pulling a fuel or start fuse and replacing it with a bad one.
or and I cant find it yet online.... but there is a relay that can be installed inplace of the stock on where you have to remotly switch it on to work.