STOP TRACTOR THEFT???

[johnrex62]

Go with the Mad Max/Road Warrior style alarm system. Rig up a bundle of road flares with some impressive looking wiring plainly visible under the seat. Maybe some salt coating to look like old dynamite

 

[Soundguy]

a hoax bomb.. good idea

soundguy

 

[jml755]

Kind of a timely thread for me. Been putting stuff on some vacant land I own for 5 yrs or so. Have a cable/lock on the gate. I was working on my tractor last week when a nicely dressed fellow walked thru my neighbor's yard and up to where I was working (over 600' back from the road, not visible). Started talking real fast, every now and then would ask a question. After he left, I got to thinking how suspicous that was and figured he was casing mine and my neighbor's place. So.... looking to upgrade the chain/locks on my equipment to some "through-hardened" chain. As the others say, you can make it more difficult for someone to take stuff, but not impossible. The 3/8" through hardened chain will withstand 36" bolt cutters and 300# force. 1/2" is even better. It's pricey (6.99/ft for 3/8"). Lo-jack, trail cameras, removing parts, they're all good ideas. My insurance company DID tell me I'm covered under my h/o policy as long as I don't have a structure on the property. Once that happens, it needs it's own policy, which they said would not be too expensive. Of course, being insured doesn't make you any less mad when you're ripped off.

First off, if I were you, I'd make sure I'm insured. Secondly, whatever you end up doing, don't post it....

 

[Soundguy]

I'd be way leary of that uy.. chances are he WAS casing your place..

soundguy

 

[jml755]

soundguy,
yeah, I alerted the neighbors, talked to the County sheriff (they wouldn't even take a report until something was taken). Just wish I would have followed him back to his car in our neighbor's drive and got a license plate #. Also had my camera with me. Should have taken a picture. Oh well, lesson learned. This AM, I looked into Zoombak GPS locators. Price was right (under $100) but reviews seemed less than favorable (didn't always work,etc).

 

[Soundguy]

yep.. taking a pic sure would have made him think 2x if he was intent on coming back.. 'after hours'

soundguy

 

[Boeing]

WE're getting good ideas here fellows. Tell me about the hardened chain. You say 3' bolt cutters....are bad guys carrying larger ones than that? And the "battery powered" grinders or abrasive wheel cutters...will they cut thru a 3/8" chain.....hardened?.... how about the 1/2" chain? My problem with Lo-Jack is that it has to be ACTIVATED to locate. I might go 2 months and not even know my stuff had been stolen. Thanks for the help.

 

[jml755]

WE're getting good ideas here fellows. Tell me about the hardened chain. You say 3' bolt cutters....are bad guys carrying larger ones than that? And the "battery powered" grinders or abrasive wheel cutters...will they cut thru a 3/8" chain.....hardened?.... how about the 1/2" chain? My problem with Lo-Jack is that it has to be ACTIVATED to locate. I might go 2 months and not even know my stuff had been stolen. Thanks for the help.

From what I understand a torch or angle grinder will do it, but would take someone awhile (not sure what "awhile" is). Here's the link (no pun intended) of the website I've looked at: Chain, Chain Supplies, Binder Chains, Lifting Slings and Hooks

And as you point out, most thieves are probably not carrying 3' cutters or torches or angle grinders. Unless you leave yours sitting out on the workbench. :laughing: (In which case he'll take that as well)

Don't know where through-hardened chain can be found at local stores. I've looked at Tractor Supply, Home Depot and they don't have any.

Agree on the lojack. The zoombak product has a zone that you supposedly get an email or text if it leaves the zone. It also is tough on batteries, but I understand you can hardwire it for recharging purposes. The product just sounds too unreliable at this time. Great idea and not a bad price (under $100) to protect your tractor. Unfortunately, there's a monthly fee with it too.

 

[Car Doc]

Put a sign outside that saws something like "nothing behind this door is worth risking your life for" :thumbsup:

 

[J_J]

You could also run one of those super hot, grass burner fence chargers to the tractor frame, and even out to the metal gate, with warning signs of course. Add spikes in the road that activate when the tractor is moved. If you find a body on your property, just throw it in the pig pen and the they will take care of the rest. That is what they did in the TV series Deadwood. Just do what you have to.