Stolen John Deere X-500

[Roger Dodger]

Hi folks,

I'm a previous member here (forgotten my original user name). I'm sad to report that someone stole my John Deere X-500 yesterday. The loss is unfortunately uninsured. (another story). I'm at a loss as to what to do next. The police report has been filed.

This tractor is a 2010-2011 X-500, with only 12 hours on it, and in mint condition. It has a bush-guard on the front, and aside from that, it's completely "stock", and also has a 52" mowing deck. (54"???).

I'll contact John Deere in the morning, to get the serial number. I'm also thinking of calling all the local JD dealers, in hopes that someone will want to buy a replacement ignition switch for the stolen tractor. I still have the original ignition key, so if the thieves sell the tractor to someone, I'm hoping they'll order a new switch and key. (rampant optimism here). I'm wondering if John Deere would replace a key, without asking for the serial number of the tractor, and if so, would they keep my tractors' serial number on file???? The warranty, which was registered with J.D., had just expired two weeks ago.

I realize I'm grasping at straws here, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that a positive solution will appear. I welcome any and all suggestions.

I'm located in Lachute, Quebec, which is an hour north-west of Montreal.

Whoever stole it, had to have a trailer wide enough to accommodate the width of the deck. (over 60" wide with the ejection chute). This was obviously planned in advance, and most likely by someone who saw the tractor at my house.(not visible to passersby from the main road). I rarely have strangers knocking on my door, since I'm a fair distance off the main road, but two days before the theft, an ex-con from a half-way house came to my door, and wanted to sell me "craft items" he had made at the half-way house. Could be purely coincidental,,,, I just don't know, but he was the only person, other than my postman of 15 years, who walked right beside that tractor, to get to my front door. The only other visitors I get, are friends, who usually come to the back door.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions,

Roger Dodger (Bob, actually)

 

[Topcat14]

Bob- Sorry for your loss, will home owners insurance cover your loss?

 

[Zebrafive]

I am not sure that the x500 is individually keyed. A one key fits all. I have bought extra keys for my tractors, no questions asked.

 

[Fawken]

Sorry to hear that. A picture if you have one might help. This is mainly why I suggested a stolen property thread a while back. The thieves likely won't be in your area long. In rural areas it is too risky to try and move stolen goods in the same county or they may stick around forever, selling their goods at a "buy-it-now" price to a fence who operates near a large metro city or makes regular trips to Mexico. The hot items are generally stored 6-8 months before offered for sale or parted out. A dedicated thread would allow patterns of theft to be recognized and tracked.

 

[beenthere]

Deere keeps records of work done so it may be useful to have them enter "stolen" on their system.

Puzzled by the "low" hours on a 5 yr old tractor. Recently purchased or has been in storage? No record of the serial number from your purchase receipt?

And for the key, one key fits all with this model like most others.

 

[Roger Dodger]

I am not sure that the x500 is individually keyed. A one key fits all. I have bought extra keys for my tractors, no questions asked.

Yes, that's correct. I spoke with J.D. this morning, and they tell me that the keys for the X-500 are identical. Same goes for all the other models.

I was also able to get my serial number, and they're listing my tractor as officially stolen. I had to get the police to send confirmation to J.D. that a report had been filed.

 

[Roger Dodger]

Deere keeps records of work done so it may be useful to have them enter "stolen" on their system.

Puzzled by the "low" hours on a 5 yr old tractor. Recently purchased or has been in storage? No record of the serial number from your purchase receipt?

And for the key, one key fits all with this model like most others.

I bought the tractor in June 2011. It's four years old. I needed a tractor to cut my lawn, after I injured my back in 2010. I have a lot of difficulty walking, especially over longer periods, and the tractor reduced my cutting time from 2 1/2 hours,,, to roughly 7 minutes per cut. Mind you, I only used the tractor on reasonably level ground. My 28,000 sq.ft. property has very steep slopes on all sides, and I use a self-propelled mower for those areas. That portion takes several hours.

 

[Roger Dodger]

Bob- Sorry for your loss, will home owners insurance cover your loss?

Unfortunately not, but that's another story. Basically it goes like this; my basement got flooded,,,, insurance company offered me a low-ball settlement figure, which I refused to accepts until I was certain my furnace didn't need to be replaced. They sent me a letter, ,,, with a cheque in the amount they had offered, and advised me at the same time that they were cancelling my policy. I spent a good chunk of cash on a lawyer, only to be told, "it's not worth fighting,,, take the settlement",,, but, the insurance company still didn't reinstate my policy. They love you when you're paying the premiums, but the word "claimant" doesn't sit well with those folks. Previous to that event, I hadn't filed a claim in over 40 years.

 

[Zebrafive]

Deere keeps records of work done so it may be useful to have them enter "stolen" on their system.

Puzzled by the "low" hours on a 5 yr old tractor. Recently purchased or has been in storage? No record of the serial number from your purchase receipt?

And for the key, one key fits all with this model like most others.

I wondered about 12 hours too. I would have that in two weeks of mowing.

 

[jenkinsph]

Sorry about your loss, I can't stand thieves. Hope you can get it back