STOP TRACTOR THEFT???

[Boeing]

I just bought a Kubota L3010 to use on my land in Virginia.
I'm laying awake at night worrying that this tractor and bush hog and trailer and box scrape might "disappear" prior to my next set of days off to go to Va. I put a big chain thru the front end loader and boxscrape (chained them together). I put a braided cable thru the trailer wheels plus a hitch lock on the trailer. All are locked in a steel garage type building BUT....there is not a soul within 4 miles, it is up a totally wooded 70 acres..... What more can I do? Fuel line cut off somewhere, elect disabler? deer trail camera? (which might get stolen too)........Give me some suggestions so I can sleep again.
Thanks

 

[brin]

Buy theft insurance for a stated price. By that I mean ..You tell the Insurance company the amount you want guaranteed to you should your tractor and or equipment be stolen...no deduction for depreciation...a fixed pride...

That is what I have done and the few times I have had to leave my tractor hidden on my own farm only 5 miles away..I still do not sleep easy until I see it the next day and I usually never leave it there but drive it back home instead...I sleep better that way.

 

[jlsmith]

They make a battery shut off switch with a removable key. Fact is if they want it they will get it. I had a friend who got a tractor stolen luckly he got it back. Some man at a bar told another couple where there was a tractor for sale, took them out there to look at it and they agreed on a price. the man went back loaded it up with my friend trailor and drove off. Luckly when the other man took the tractor he noticed the key switch was broke and called the cops. Now my friend has is tractor back and put one of the battery cut offs on it.

 

[Car Doc]

Man quit stressing its all natural and quite expected when you get something new and nice you want to worry!

From the description you give of the property I cant see how you have anything to worry about you are out in the middle of nowhere like the other guy said make sure you are covered by insurance. Go take a nap!

 

[Soundguy]

there have been dozens of posts like this.

unfortunately, unless you have a 24/7 CREW of armed guards... if someone wants your stuff bad enough.. they will get it.

I have yet to see a chain or cable that will withstand a gas axe or abrasive blade for more than a minute.

battery switches and fuel line cutoffs are nice.. they keep the honest crooks away.. but if someone wants it.. they will drag it out into the open and then roll back it up.. or if on a trailer.. just take that too!

insurance.. paid up insurance is your best bet.

the fact that it is out of sight HELPS.. I wish you good luck!

soundguy

I just bought a Kubota L3010 to use on my land in Virginia.
I'm laying awake at night worrying that this tractor and bush hog and trailer and box scrape might "disappear" prior to my next set of days off to go to Va. I put a big chain thru the front end loader and boxscrape (chained them together). I put a braided cable thru the trailer wheels plus a hitch lock on the trailer. All are locked in a steel garage type building BUT....there is not a soul within 4 miles, it is up a totally wooded 70 acres..... What more can I do? Fuel line cut off somewhere, elect disabler? deer trail camera? (which might get stolen too)........Give me some suggestions so I can sleep again.
Thanks

 

[buck12]

I usually haul my tractor back and forth from our property. When I leave it at the property I drive it well off the beaten path and hide it in the woods and take the key out. It is insured. I leave the box blade at the property and haul other implements as needed.

 

[Cat_Driver]

This should shorten up all the ideas on how to keep your equipment safe.
It can't be done PERIOD. If a thief wants your stuff he will take it whenever he feels like it, unless you sit on your tractor with a shot gun 24/7 365 days a year.

If anyone ever invents an anti theft product that keeps people from stealing cars and equipment they would be a billionaire.

My bets advice, get the best insurance you can afford and make sure they but you NEW equipment.

I had a dump trailer stolen and it was loaded with trash - they took the trash also ( at least they did save me the dump fee) . Trailer was 600 ft, in behind locked fence yard. They drove through the gate, ruined the fence and made off with the trailer. Insurance bought me a bran spankin new one 100%.

So don't lose sleep because sleep is more valuable that equipment.

 

[tommu56]

Just to add put the pto in gear maybe the guy stealing it isn't smart enough to figure out how to start it
I wouldn't leave it on the trailer creates an easier opportunity parj the trailer in front of it to make it more trouble sum to get to tractor.

tom

 

[J_J]

You could install a hidden GPS, and with the right program, check on your tractor anytime you choose. The program might even have an option to alert you if it is moved. I believe they also have something like that, using cell phones , like knowing where your kids are by cell phone GPS. A bad *** junk yard dog might be a deterrent.

You could also put up a sign that says SPIKES IN ROAD STAY TO THE RIGHT. but put the spikes to the right. Only friends and family would know where to drive

 

[Jay4200]

I just bought a Kubota L3010 to use on my land in Virginia.
I'm laying awake at night worrying that this tractor and bush hog and trailer and box scrape might "disappear" prior to my next set of days off to go to Va. I put a big chain thru the front end loader and boxscrape (chained them together). I put a braided cable thru the trailer wheels plus a hitch lock on the trailer. All are locked in a steel garage type building BUT....there is not a soul within 4 miles, it is up a totally wooded 70 acres..... What more can I do? Fuel line cut off somewhere, elect disabler? deer trail camera? (which might get stolen too)........Give me some suggestions so I can sleep again.
Thanks

Chances are your tractor is already insured though your homeowner's insurance. Raw land generally gets tacked onto your home policy for free, you must be carrying something for that building, and personal-use tractors are almost always covered. Check on it to make sure. If the machines are insured, then who cares if it gets stolen. Sleep well.

Sort of that, I suggest trip wires and claymores. Actually, that's my first suggestion.

My tractor is also in an unsecured remote location. My strategy, however, was to get a 15 y/o 2500 hour beast that nobody in their right mind would steal. Been working great so far...

JayC

 

[RoyJackson]

You can do your best, but a dedicated thief will get any tractor stored outside. You might prevent casual or opportunistic thieves though (but not vandals).
Insurance is about the only thing you can do for recouping losses. Don't assume your home owner's insurance will cover a remote site (from your primary residence). Call them and find out...get a rider or separate policy, if necessary.

 

[Rob-D]

Just to add put the pto in gear maybe the guy stealing it isn't smart enough to figure out how to start it
I wouldn't leave it on the trailer creates an easier opportunity parj the trailer in front of it to make it more trouble sum to get to tractor.

tom

Bingo!

You have to think like a criminal. Get the trailer away from the tractor. Drive it somewhere else so it's not there inviting someone to drive off with everything.
I think leaving the PTO might be a very subtle but effective and preventative method because human thinking will not see the obvious answer. A criminal will think you have some system or hidden switch to keep the tractor from walking.
Take the battery home with you also. Don't leave it there. If you have it home you can keep it up to charge also.

Like others have said, you can't stop the pro who wants it but you sure can make it tough to take. Make sure your insurance is up to date.

If you're really that worried take an integral part that someone will have to get from a dealer to start it. Two things, most people won't want it and if someone does steal it they will have to get the part and dealers can be on the look out. You can take a front tire too, sure it might be a pain to put on when you go there but at least the tractor will be there!

Get one of those steering wheel or tire locks. Criminals want to spend as little time as possible stealing anything. The longer it takes the less they want it.

Use the PTO and pull a wire off too. You can make it very tough to take.

Rob

 

[jinman]

When I first bought my place, I took my Ford Jubilee and hid it in the woods. It was buried back in some brush that nobody would look at unless they were very thorough. One time I went there and used the tractor over the weekend. When I got home, my butt was stinging. Turns out that a brown recluse had made a nest under my seat cushion and crawled out to bite me when I was using the tractor. It just goes to show you that with all the precautions, it can still bite you in the butt.:laughing: Honest folks! That's a true story. Buy insurance and sleep well, but also check your seat for spiders.:shocked:

EDIT: Oh yes! I've always wanted to do this since I had a trailer stolen. I wanted to rig a sign up under the trailer. It would hang down from the rear axle and not be readily visible unless you were following behind the trailer in a car. The sign would say, "Stolen Trailer- Call Police!" I might add my own cell phone number on the sign too. Of course, when I used the trailer, I'd have to remember to remove the sign.

 

[Boeing]

These are great ideas. Can you recommend a "dealer ordered part" that I could remove and replace fairly easily. The tractor is INSIDE a locked metal garage but is left alone for 2-3 MONTHS (on a SOLAR charger). There is no electricity so they have to use hand tools or bring a generator to help with their thievery. There are no homes within 2 miles and it is up a long wooded road hidden from sight and sound. A pair of thieves would have as long as it takes. PTO, fuel shutoff, even a little lock on the factory shutoff pull out rod might make them leave it alone.
I did call my insurance guy, he said a policy COULD be made with "declared value". I'll do that...........and cross my fingers.
Thanks Guys/B][/I][/B]

 

[Mousefield]

These are great ideas. Can you recommend a "dealer ordered part" that I could remove and replace fairly easily. The tractor is INSIDE a locked metal garage but is left alone for 2-3 MONTHS (on a SOLAR charger). There is no electricity so they have to use hand tools or bring a generator to help with their thievery. There are no homes within 2 miles and it is up a long wooded road hidden from sight and sound. A pair of thieves would have as long as it takes. PTO, fuel shutoff, even a little lock on the factory shutoff pull out rod might make them leave it alone.
I did call my insurance guy, he said a policy COULD be made with "declared value". I'll do that...........and cross my fingers.
Thanks Guys/B][/I][/B]

I added my tractor as an add on to my home insurance, other wise it was not covered. I used to sell security and cameras systems. The truth is it does not matter who you are, where you are, they will find you and your stuff. Just be somewhat proactive to make it difficult for them to steal it and get that insurance. Then have a good nights sleep. :cloud9:

 

[aczlan]

Getting in: No generator needed, just a cordless angle grinder.

Keeping someone out/keeping the tractor there:
Starting with a shipping container or garage is a good start, but here are some ideas of simple ways to make the tractor not work:
1. If the seat switch keeps the starter from running, disconnect it and use a jumper wire if needed to make it seem that there isn't anyone in the seat
2. If you have a "kill rod", adjust the length so that it cannot be moved to "run" mode. If you have a electric kill switch, unplug it and hide the ends of the wires.
3. Turn the PTO on.
4. Install a inline fuel shutoff
5. Remove the front tires and take them with you. Leave a block of wood under the front end.
6. Install a locking fuel cap to keep people from dumping something into the fuel
7. Park so that someone cannot pull directly in front of or behind the tractor
8. Mix the loader control lines (if you have a loader) so that it cannot be lifted, then bolt a 4x4 to the floor just inside the door
9. Make a list of what you did to disable the tractor and how to make it work again.

Now, all this will keep the casual "borrower" or the teenage joyriders out, but if someone comes with a tilt bed truck or trailer and a winch, they can just pull the tractor up onto it and take the tractor apart in peace somewhere behind closed doors.

Identifying the thief:
Hide a couple of infrared game cameras inside and outside of the garage, then one or two on the trail back out. Then you can have pictures of them and their vehicle.

Trailer:
1. Take off the wheels and set it on blocks
2. Install a coupler lock

Aaron Z

 

[buck12]

I had a dump trailer stolen and it was loaded with trash - they took the trash also ( at least they did save me the dump fee) . Trailer was 600 ft, in behind locked fence yard. They drove through the gate, ruined the fence and made off with the trailer. Insurance bought me a bran spankin new one 100%.

So don't lose sleep because sleep is more valuable that equipment.

A friend cleaned up the junk around the house and loaded it on his trailer on a Saturday planning to go to the dump during the week. When he came home from church the next day a thief had loaded his ATV on the trailer and taken both. He said not only did they steal his trailer and ATV but left the trash scattered all over his yard.

 

[corey9212]

I recently became a victim of a break and entry while I was out camping, all my equipment was stored in my garage locked and the main door has a monitored alarm on it. When I got home the window was smashed (they smashed it to unlock the window and crawl in) then opened the vehicle doors and stole my ATV, took my buggy for a joyride and also took my tractor for a joyride (burning half a tank of fuel) wich means they were there for a while. Plus in the end they trashed my garage. Unfortunately my home owners insurance didn't cover any of it cause "if it has a motor it needs it's own insurance" so make sure you know what is and isn't covered and get what isn't covered full coverage. If they are determined they will get it.

 

[rd_macgregor]

If you haven't already done so, it is also a good idea to put a gate or chain across the entrance/access to the property. A lot of thievery is semi-opportunistic in the sense that somebody doing recreational ATVing,dirt biking or back-road cruising in their 4X4 heads up a dirt lane to "see where it goes" and notes an unattended, thievable item...then comes back later to steal it.
Many of these folks won't head up a locked/gated lane...not because they respect the chain, but because it is too much trouble to cut or go around it.
Having said all that, in a lot of places it just isn't feasible to block off access; its too easy to drive around a blocked entrance point.
BOB

 

[Dr_Zinj]

Speaking from a military background; there is no way you can ever stop a theif, only slow them down. Locks, bars, spikes, cut outs, fences, chains, etc only make it harder for the theif. Hopefully too hard to make it profitable to hit you, so they go somewhere else instead.

Make sure you have copies of your serial numbers. Engine block numbers are also handy, in case they chop it up and sell parts.

You can also have Lo-Jack installed on your tractor. Not nearly as many places to hide it, but it can be done.

Finally, insurance. And having a Lo-Jack system on it should reduce your premiums too.