STOP TRACTOR THEFT???

[Treemonkey1000]

Ok since Soundguy won't let me use a Stungun. Next idea if you have power out there go to Harbor freight and buy the Driveway motion detector. Set the Transmitter and Receiver where someone has to pass between them. The receiver has an output jack that will power a horn and strobe light. Get one of those really loud horns and a bright strobe light. Typically once the thief realizes that all of this noise and light is going to attract some attention they may decide it is not worth it. Those systems can run on a 12 volt battery as well. Use a bit of solar charging to keep the system topped off if you aren't around the power grid. If your place is down a long road that has limited access then set the motion detector out there. Problem with that may be false triggers from Bambi or Godzilla running through the woods. And if you are really a geek like me have a voice operated digital recorder tell the thief that police have been alerted and are on the way..

 

[picker77]

This is a tough one. I think if it were me, for peace of mind I'd rent a storage unit in town that had decent access security, and keep it there. To me it would be worth the $75 a month or whatever a storage unit costs. I presume you have solid insurance on it?

Another possibility is making a deal with a neighbor up the road (who lives there year round) to store the trailer/equipment in his locked barn or shop, and pay some sort of compensation for his trouble. I have a deal like that with a neighbor, and the compensation consists of mowing a few acres several times a year. Works for me, and for the neighbor--who has quite a bit of land but doesn't own any large mowing equipment. I, OTOH, have more equipment than storage for it, so it's a win-win.

 

[Soundguy]

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.

there's not much an abrasive wheel cutter WON'T cut. chain.. even hard chain.. even THICK hard chain.. same with steel cable. I've cut 2" steel cable with a torch and an abrasive cutter... wasn't difficult..

soundguy

 

[Johno Geo]

I too am fearful of my equipment disapearing from my rural Indiana property when I am not around.
Now I have a Pole barn, but even so....
With no electric there is no security..
Here is what I found out...
The tractor and accessories is insured as "Personal Property" under my home owners insurance. The equipment is insured, regardless of where it is parked, regardless of location. The deductable or depreciation is probably your cost...
The acception is ... If the stored property has a house on it.
I also have a hidden Game Camera focussed on the people door.
The game camera is in a "Bear Box" and cabled with a Python lock (or is it an Anaconda.....).
Also, I have ADT signs and stickers from my main House...
That's the best we can do...
GPM might be nice, if not too pricy.....
Good luck

Johno Geo

 

[buckeyefarmer]

for those with hidden game cams, how long are your batteries lasting? mine doesn't last very long, week or so max.

 

[ak9]

all good ideas so far ... think layers of security.. make stealing something hard work.. like sweat and blood...and risky for the perp


Here are some of the things that have worked for me over the years:
1) don't let people see your stuff
2) I keep some solar / motion lights and sometimes a radio playing
3) I post no trespass signs @ perimiter of property and @ buildings
4) I raise and train guard dogs and post signs occasionally
5)I have on excell spread sheets a log of all tools and equipment,ser# etc..
6) insurance coverage for all perile
7)I engrave serial #'s on parts/components of equipment
8) I keep the place looking lived in...move stuff around etc..
9) I keep a picture log current of the place
10) I'll use google earth to "watch" the area around me (not real time)
11) I'll leave a few spent targets after "practice" in odd or stategic locations
12)but the best is ... I have a few products from this site BrickHouse Security | Home Security Camera Systems | GPS Surveillance totally cool stuff here and I'm sure there is something here you would find useful good luck and damb the theives
ak9

 

[corey9212]

all good ideas so far ... think layers of security.. make stealing something hard work.. like sweat and blood...and risky for the perp

Here are some of the things that have worked for me over the years:
1) don't let people see your stuff
2) I keep some solar / motion lights and sometimes a radio playing
3) I post no trespass signs @ perimiter of property and @ buildings
4) I raise and train guard dogs and post signs occasionally
5)I have on excell spread sheets a log of all tools and equipment,ser# etc..
6) insurance coverage for all perile
7)I engrave serial #'s on parts/components of equipment
8) I keep the place looking lived in...move stuff around etc..
9) I keep a picture log current of the place
10) I'll use google earth to "watch" the area around me (not real time)
11) I'll leave a few spent targets after "practice" in odd or stategic locations
12)but the best is ... I have a few products from this site BrickHouse Security | Home Security Camera Systems | GPS Surveillance totally cool stuff here and I'm sure there is something here you would find useful good luck and damb the theives
ak9

I like number 11 especially since I hunt with a crossbow, really make them think twice (maybe three or four times, lol)

 

[Soundguy]

I used to live in a bad neighborhood, lots of breakins.. I made a wind chime out of spent pistol, rifle and shotgun shells and hung it up by the door...

soundguy

 

[forgeblast]

Actually my friends case almost created a new law/pressident. Deliverperson came to wrong house, past beware of dog signs, and caution underground containment fence (invfence) walked through all that and was bit.
Her lawyer argued that there was an implied right to tresspass....
the jury was almost buying it, put it came down that you do not have a right/implied to tresspass, and found in favor of them. no damages awarded.
i would look on ebay, you can get small gps tags for dogs/kids for around 70.00. might be easy to hide on the tractor, put it under the seat.
I do like the seat cut off sensor, take it out and put it back in when your going to use it.
ir game cams good idea too.
look up burgler bombs, company makes tear gas anti-theft deterients.

 

[farmfun]

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

I like the way you think

 

[Uncle Wayne]

In your original post you said there wasn't a soul for 4 miles. Look at this for a suggestion: MURS Wireless Infra Red Driveway Alarm System

My uncle lives just over 4 miles from me and the receiver at my house will pick up the signal from the transmitter at his house. That's not the best price on this unit just a place you can find out something about an alert system.

We have been very pleased with it's dependability. Someone on this site gave me this info and I'm glad to be able to pass it on. Check this thread out for a little more info: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/183899-wireless-long-range-motion-detectors.html

 

[dmccarty]

For five years I had to keep my tractor and equipment at our rural property. I put up a gate on the road and kept it locked. Nobody ever messed with the gate....

But people would walk around the gate and one teenager drove around the gate after a snowstorm. Because of the snow he was easy to track down and have a long conversation with his mommy.

I would keep the tractor hidden in the woods. This worked as best I could tell except for the teenager and one other nutty neighbor.

I never had any problems with vandalism or theft. But I did have insurance coverage. At the time tractor still had a JD loan and which provided insurance coverage. After I paid off the loan I had to find coverage. My homeowners would NOT cover the tractor. I ended up using NC Farm Bureau to cover the tractor as well as house and auto. They were much cheaper than the other insurance company.

Check your coverage and make sure it covers your tractor and equipment.

Then try not to worry about it too much.

Later,
Dan

 

[Mande1992]

hmmm, more to think about going from a rusty old tractor to a shiny orange one