Tractor security?

kpmengr · May 29, 2012

I will be out of town for two weeks and dont have a barn to lock up the tractor. Looking for some practical ideas to foil a thief interested in my B21.

AStanton · May 29, 2012

Easy one is leaving the PTO lever engaged--tractor won't start.
Little more work, remove a front wheel.
Remember,the tractor is insured, your life isn't.

MapleLeafFarmer · May 29, 2012

AStanton said:
Easy one is leaving the PTO lever engaged--tractor won't start.
Little more work, remove a front wheel.
Remember,the tractor is insured, your life isn't.

x2... eaxctly what I did with my B2620 when I was building my cabin. PTO lever and 1 front and 1 back wheel removed and stored as far out of site as possible.

also battery, and disconnect some electrical if really worried.
BH swung out 90 degrees from tractor just to make it difficult if someone wanted to drag it.

vandalism is a completely diff. beast to protect against though.

kpmengr · May 29, 2012

Good ideas. Thanks guys!

Jeff F. · May 29, 2012

Park with your bucket against immovable object (building) and BH tight to the ground. Better yet, drop it by my house and I will watch it for you.:laughing:

David_Kb7uns · May 29, 2012

Backhoe and loader pins removed and locked up with loader and backhoe partially removed....... it slows them down.

David Kb7uns

JasG · May 29, 2012

Remove a few fuses along with some of the other ideas.

joshuabardwell · May 29, 2012

AStanton said:
Easy one is leaving the PTO lever engaged--tractor won't start.

That is really brilliant.

Yesterday, I heard my neighbor mowing for a second, then his mower petered out and he started cussing. So, being the neighborly type, I hopped on my mower and rode over to his house and lent it to him. Being the neighborly type, he returned it to the barn the next day without me even noticing. I went out to mow and hopped on it, and wouldn't you know it, the dang thing wouldn't start! Just as I hopped off to get the jump-starter, I remembered all the threads on TBN about HST pedals not being centered and seat switches not getting tripped and realized that the parking brake was off and the transmission was in gear. Since I always park it in neutral with the brake on, I didn't think to check it when starting it up.

Thanks, TBN!

HOOTSBX23 · May 30, 2012

My BX spends alot of its time out side. I always put the front edge of the bucket to the ground and BH into the ground. PTO shifted to engage and in a drive gear. So far no mishaps and its been 7 years now. They will definitely not be able to push it away without a lot of pain. Starting it is about the only option and that will raise alot of attention since I live in the city again now. I usually park it in range of the motion detector lights as well.

chucko · May 30, 2012

Got a friend? if not and travel is not a big deal you could leave it at my place

joshuabardwell · May 30, 2012

For folks who are talking about bracing the buckets to prevent it being dragged away, I have a question: aren't the keys on most tractors universal? What's to stop a thief from acquiring one and just starting the thing up, then raising the bucket? I mean, that wouldn't work for an opportunistic thief, but someone who is specifically after your tractor, or tractors in general, it seems like they would probably have a key.

PHILIP8N · May 30, 2012

Remove some important wires, from bettery to starter. Close fuel cock, remove line, and hide end (the only time I close my fuel cock is when replacing fuel filter). Remove wire from fuel solenoid valve. Plug air cleaner inlet, put rag on air cleaner, or between air cleaner and safety element. Just a few ideas I quickly came up with. I am sure if you looked around your tractor, you could come up with a few more. Philip.

jakell2010 · May 30, 2012

Pull out the electrical connector to your high pressure injection pump, but leave it there so it looks like its hooked up, then dig the front bucket in,,,,, they'll have one he'll of a time trying to take it

I do this when my on again off again GF throws me out for coming home drunk,,

bx24 · May 30, 2012

Bring it over to my house ... I will watch it for you!

Trust me .....

boggen · May 30, 2012

pull the battery out.

run a chain around tractor and loop it through the steering wheel with a lock on the chain.

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honestly though, my worst fear is.... someone putting something else besides gas in my gas tank, or into engine oil or into hydraulic oil.

that is one thing i do not like about smaller size tractors. they are made to look cool. but not really theft resistant. as in a hood or side panels you can toss a lock on easily. so no one can cut wires, or turn gas on. add something else to engine oil or hydraulic tank. or like without taking the lock off.

if ya look at a manual for tractor, you should be able to find fuse that goes to starter motor or like for tractor. perhaps figure out a way to blow same size fuse. and place blown fuse in the fuse box. this may stop a neighbor from coming over with a key they got. to use your equipment while you are not at home.

most towns even the small bitty towns, normally have some sort of "rental storage sheds" you could always drive tractor over to. and park it in a shed or like.