Tractor key stolen - worth replacing the ignition box?

[kubotanewbie]

My spare tractor key was stolen as part of a larger break-in this weekend.

I wonder if I should replace the key (and the ignition box) on my Kubota tractor. Has anyone done that?

Can you give me an idea of what kind of part(s) I need and what's involved in replacing it?

Thanks!

 

[bp fick]

Seeing how these "keys" are merely screwdrivers masquerading as keys anyhow, it seems an unnecessary expense. I guess I wouldn't. In most cases, there wasn't anything particularly unique about the key stolen. Might get yourself another key off Ebay, just to have.

 

[banjodunn]

G'day as BP said most manufacturers use the same key across their whole range (must think tractor owners are more honest than car owners). You would be just wasting money by buying a new ignition.

Jon

 

[kubotanewbie]

Interesting - OK.

So you guys leave your tractor standing out there in the open?

(I don't have a barn where to lock it yet and the property isn't fenced around)

 

[jlrsn]

For your peace of mind install a relay with a hidden switch that will take your battery offline. The key will only be used to operate the starter and everything else once the battery is online.
Jim

 

[bp fick]

This isn't new, btw. Tractors, shoot even lawn tractors, have been this way forever, pretty much.

Aren't going to stop tractor theft by making unique keys for each one.

Where is my tractor? In my shop if snow isn't apparent, or in my wife's front garage is snow is forecast. We don't spend a lot of time dealing with locks and such. We have neighbors. My dad used say "Locks only keep the honest people out". A lot of truth in that old saying. Thieves could easily break into my barn, shop or garage anytime they wish. Around Beaver Creek, the sound of gunfire fills the air most evenings and every Saturday morning. Hounds bay in the distance. It's country living. Neighbors freely exchange keys.

Neighbors, guns, dogs mean a whole lot more than a few chintzy locks. Take it for what it's worth.

 

[MossRoad]

If you have a gas engine, you can take the rotor out of the distributor if you have to leave the tractor somewhere. That confounds the heck out of people.

 

[Egon]

It's probably cheaper and more effective to put a manual switch inline with the fuel solenoid.

 

[HCJtractor]

As an example, last year an operator got his dozer stuck at my property. The owner of the grading company drove down to check it out. He called me later that day and said he hoped I did not mind but he borrowed my Kubota to drive down the long muddy road to his stuck dozer, so he would not have to dirty up his truck. I said "no problem" but since I knew he had no key for my tractor, I asked how did you start it? He just laughed and said if you have worked around heavy equipment like he has, starting a tractor without a key is no problem. Just goes to show you, keys are for honest people. So don't change you ignition. The key is worthless insurance.

 

[Soundguy]

For your peace of mind install a relay with a hidden switch that will take your battery offline. The key will only be used to operate the starter and everything else once the battery is online.
Jim

gonna need a HUGE relay to handle starter current.. a bat switch -MAYBEE-.. but it's pointless.. to easy to bypass.. or drag the machine off... rollbacks don't care about ignition interlocks...

pay your insurance and try to keep an eye on your equipment..

soundguy