Security & Theft Securing tractor from theft

john_bud · May 30, 2008

The best methods are ones that make the thief work. Taking the cranking fuse is ok, but putting a locking fuel line to the pump is better. It will crank and run, but then die. Who wants to steal a broken tractor? Adding a relay to the starter solenoid so it will crank for 2 seconds, then reduce the voltage so the starter slows down and quits, then won't crank. Would take an team of electronics experts or a high school nerd 15 minutes to design, but worth while.

Getting a racer's quick disconnect steering wheel is a good thing too. Putting a pair of locking fluid lines, one on each of the lines to the steering cylinder is good. Turning the wheel all the way left (or right). Take the steering wheel and lock the lines. They they can only turn the steering wheel nub with a vice grip and with the lines locked, they can't straighten the tires.

I would also get a couple of the IR game cameras. Cover the vehicle approaches and the machines and HIDE them or they will get stole too!

Now for the fun stuff. If you were an electronic's expert, you could have an IR sensor detect a crook on the seat, then remotely have a laser pointer from way off turn on pre-aimed to be on the crooks chest. Leave a note on the steering wheel "if you see a red dot on your chest, you have 7 seconds to leave or die". You may need to wipe the smell off the seat ....

JC-jetro · May 30, 2008

john_bud said:
Now for the fun stuff. If you were an electronic's expert, you could have an IR sensor detect a crook on the seat, then remotely have a laser pointer from way off turn on pre-aimed to be on the crooks chest. Leave a note on the steering wheel "if you see a red dot on your chest, you have 7 seconds to leave or die". You may need to wipe the smell off the seat ....

John,

You da man!! great idea..

Over the winter I take one front tire off raise all wheels off the ground and support the tractor on jack stand with batteries removed. I wrap a good size chain to the front axle and thru my 700 lbs tiller and what ever else I can. These thieves are there for a quick bite most of the time. none of these strategies can stop a determined thief that had plenty of time. just got to make the bite as least attractive as we can so it would not worth the hassle for them. it is easy to rig up IR motion detector to variety of different things to scare them off. I suppose a simple sign saying " Achtung!! wireless surveillance camera in operation". Of course, I give them the benefit of doubt to be able to read and understand what they read.

JC,

Soundguy · May 30, 2008

Park it at a neighbors house. As you know.. if a theif wants it.. he will get it. Tractors are about as easy to hotwire as bicycles... Don'tr waste time on goofy cutouts.. etc. a piece of wire with gator clips usually does away with it anyway..

soundguy

Nuru · May 30, 2008

GPS lojack

do you have any power out there, or at least solar power to run equipment?
If you have a building to park them in, alarm the building
Cameras that have < 1 lux night vision capability, with remote feed to you

any trick you feel comfortable employing that you can remember to disable the unit form operating.

Champy · May 30, 2008

I hook as many implements up as possible (disks), and then store others in the way to impede easy/quick loading. To slow down a thief (or kids) I also leave the tractor 1) in gear; 2) PTO in on position; 3) bucket in dump position with tooth bar buried; and 4) keep it out of sight. Someone in a hurry might overlook the existing lockouts for transmission and PTO.

Also consider opening the hood and leaving a troubleshooting manual with "extra" parts laying around like you're in the middle of fixing something big. Who wants to steal a tractor thats already broken?

Or if you're really good, move your bee hives onto the seat!

Charlesaf3 · May 30, 2008

isn't insurance easier? I guess it would depend on how often tractors get stolen. Never heard of it in Massachusetts, so I'd guess its pretty infrequent around here.

cityfarma · May 31, 2008

Champy said:
I hook as many implements up as possible (disks), and then store others in the way to impede easy/quick loading. To slow down a thief (or kids) I also leave the tractor 1) in gear; 2) PTO in on position; 3) bucket in dump position with tooth bar buried; and 4) keep it out of sight. Someone in a hurry might overlook the existing lockouts for transmission and PTO.

Also consider opening the hood and leaving a troubleshooting manual with "extra" parts laying around like you're in the middle of fixing something big. Who wants to steal a tractor thats already broken?

Or if you're really good, move your bee hives onto the seat!

I love number 2). Not something that you would think of immediately.

I am in the same position in that I leave my tractor for weeks at a time. I keep mine in a locked garage, main fuse removed and chained with the harrows along side so that it will not get out the door. Next trip will also have the PTO engaged. And it is insured!!

Cityfarma

Rara Avis · May 31, 2008

Charlesaf3 said:
isn't insurance easier? I guess it would depend on how often tractors get stolen. Never heard of it in Massachusetts, so I'd guess its pretty infrequent around here.

I don't know about MA...but...
Irish Terrorists Suspected in Tractor Thefts
A crime wave is sweeping England's green and pleasant land. The southwestern county of Somerset has been known for it's beautiful rolling hills and it's farming community, but now it's involved in a plot authorities believe might be linked to terrorists. The crime- tractor theft. From a thieves' perspective, the thefts make sense: Tractors can cost up to $200,000 each. $2 million worth of farm equipment is disappearing every week in Britain. The Gloucestershire Constabulary, is leading the counterattack, code named Operation Mermaid. Officials leading suspects are Irish terrorists. Investigators at the National Plant and Equipment Register, a company that helps people recover stolen equipment and machinery, said crime is diversifying: from stolen paintings, to stolen tractors which are being shipped as far as Australia. And tractors are easy to steal. Usually one key fits into any John Deere tractor. Tractors are generally easy to drive and very hard to identify. All Ford tractors are solid blue and every John Deere tractor is green. ABC News: Terrorist Thieves Reap Farm Bonanza

rixtory · Jun 22, 2008

Well There was the Johnson Gang in the late 70's that was stealing a lot of Tractors in SE and S-Central PA and selling them around Pottstown, PA. They ended up killing some of the junior gang members before they were caught. I beleive they are in prison now.
Here is the link. CFR_PressReleases
Sean Penn made a movie about then in 1986 called "At Close Range" which included his brother Chris Penn (Now Deceased) and Christopher Walken as his father and murder.