It's Never Been Easier to Prevent Tractor Theft

[@AStanton1966]

Two tips I would add to preventing theft of a tractor: Removing a front wheel if you won't be needing the tractor anytime soon and it's in a secluded area. Second, once you park the tractor and shut it down, engage the PTO lever. The tractor won't restart even with a key.

[@davemiller3027]

Great information Mike. I had an ATV stolen a few years ago in Texas it was recovered in Illinois about 8 months later. It had been sold at least 4 times before it was finally found. It's best to have photos of your equipment and the serial numbers.

[@joehackney4828]

Bobcat has required serial numbers for years to buy parts. Bought a new RK55 few weeks back. It's shuttle shift and looking to make clutch lock to prevent use. But I like your suggestion of a kill switch. Thanks for the video.

[@boatworkstoday]

One thumbs down, must be from one of those guys with sticky fingers lol ;-)

[@ranchitosantos5165]

Mike… you are the most knowledgeable person in tractors that i have EVER seen on KZbin! Keep up the great work!!

[@tractortyme]

Good suggestions Mike, and winter is my prime use for my tractor here in the snowbelt.

[@stevewarner8880]

Great video Mike. I have a story about tractor theft that illustrates how stupid some thieves are. 30 years ago I worked for a state highway dept that neighbors your state of Missouri. Many years prior one of our mowing tractors was stolen off the right of way. It was a 3400 Ford tractor and it was never recovered. Several years later we were contacted by the authorities in Missouri that they had recovered the tractor. It was hauled back to the highway dept district headquarters. The tractor had been repainted Ford blue from the highway orange it was painted. They had done a very good job on the paint and decals and even masked off the metal state property tag that was riveted on. The police discovered this in a unrelated search of a property. I guess the moral of the story is to take property tags off if you steal government property

[@LynnCDoyle-ek2oh]

You say it was never recovered. Then how did they know all about its changes?

[@txtpqb]

thanks Mike. Your input and knowledge always makes me a better tractor owner. I like the GPS idea!

[@collierblalock5848]

Common key story. . . I have a New Holland (obviously Ford related) tractor that I bought new around 2010. One day, while we had borrowed my in-laws Expedition because one of our cars was in for repair, I did some bushogging on the tractor. At the end of the day I went to return the Expedition, but could not find the keys. I looked everywhere but finally spotted them hanging from my tractor's ignition. I had inadvertently put the Expedition key in the tractor and it had worked perfectly fine. . .

[@dwayneloftice2326]

Once again, Tractor Mike.....great info and advice. Going to take measures soon as I move my tractor from a locked and alarmed suburban shelter to a more rural setting. Btw...a 12 gage with "00" buckshot is a great deterent.

[@larrywelch4979]

It's like a bike, unless its under 24 hr guard someone will get it if they want it. Shotguns or AKs don't mean shit If your not on it

[@mikesutton8452]

Nice video- I live in the city and have acreage 30 minutes away. I have cameras everywhere. A couple years ago had trespassers on my land mushroom hunting. Sheriff was out in 30 minutes ( I texted him a photo as I called him ). They were surprised and scared at the quick response. I also have signs posted that there are cameras on the property. Also have kill switches on my tractors that you mention. Another deterrent I have have on my bobcat skid steer is no key and a touchpad code needed to start the machine.

[@alanswanson1952]

I remember on the farm back in the 70s the key never came out of the tractor different times your neighbors knew who belonged there and who didn't and knew what everyone else's tractor looked like.

[@Brindle_Boxer]

I just keep the tractor within earshot of my bed and keep the “kill switch” within arm’s reach. 👍

[@rottiesrule5285]

on my tractor i wired a fuse holder into the seat pressure switch..when i park it i remove the fuse..i put it in a place that's not easy to see and most wouldn't even think to look for a fuse holder......quick ,cheap, and works well..not perfect but it is a good deterent....

[@beaushirley4668]

Love it. When I lived in seattle and parked my car I would always open hood and take the coil wire with me. obviously for older gas powered tractors this is a huge deterrent. Additionally my new bobcat ct2540 fully insured for $24/mo!

[@bradleyparis5821]

HI, can you share what company are you insured with?

[@SplitWoodAcres]

Yep would love to know what ins company. Been told to add it to my homeowners ins.

[@pilsnrimgaard2507]

Tractors dig deep hole really well. Nuff said!

[@d.a.ballou9740]

Good tips Mike! Thanks.

[@HungPham-nk5gq]

Thanks for your advice it helps me a lot because I am looking for a tractor for my ranch.

[@wizzlefits]

Making it look like the tractor is being repaired, drain pan with oil in it, tire off (hide the bolts), sitting on jack stands/cribbing (hide/take the jack). Obviously that's for longer storage. Years ago 3 flatbed semi's pulled into the local JD dealer just after dark and loaded up every thing they could. They had their lights & flashers on and looked like they belonged there. They even had the flashers going on the equipment as they were being loaded. (I drove by and seen them.. never gave it a second thought). Sadly, they were never caught.

[@stubbshomestead1316]

One of the first things I did was get insurance on my tractor. It costs like 10 bucks a month but it covers 100% of the replacement cost, Mine also covers if it burns down aswell.

[@bradleyparis5821]

Hi, where can I get insurance for 10 bucks a month? Need for 2014 JD backhoe

[@SplitWoodAcres]

Hey Stubbs Homestead, what insurance company are you using for this?

[@andrewross3293]

Another great video Mike. Thank you again.

[@samengler539]

Nice video mike. Keep up the great tips

[@profdave2861]

Great suggestions, Mike!

[@myrlkibbe1414]

Thanks for the tips. One of your suggestions is to remove the battery. In newer tractors with all the electronic/computer run systems is to a good idea to remove the battery for an extended period of time?

[@julieabrown1]

My friend, you do the greatest videos.......thanks for all you do!!!!

[@julieabrown1]

And so much super information.

[@Bob-vb8lc]

Awesome tips Mike. I have to look into the GPS idea. Thanks for sharing

[@rp1645]

Great stuff on Protection of your hard working Girl. I remember back in the 70s, International dozers/Loaders (125s) had a battery disconnect switch under a LOCK box. It had padlock holes through it. And the Dash panel had a pull down heavy plate with a padlock ring to lock up. TWO anti theft systems. I also remember heavy steel plates we installed over all windows on cabs of Excavators. The Doors were pretty heavy duty that could be Locked up. I like what let's just look at what JD construction Equipment does now. You have a button KEY/ start code you can set (your own code) remember seeing at Con-Exp Con-Agg in Las Vegas when (Komatsu) first came out with a Remote TRACKER. Not just for the location of the machine but for company or Maintenance operations to monitor how long the machine was ideal for running,ect, the young guys at the booth were more than happy to show me one big very expensive Dozer in southern States that was in transit between Jobs. They showed me Right where Dozer was on there big Display ( GPS map) ( Komatsu) had a whole division just working on the ( GPS) locator of any Equipment that a customer wanted on their Equipment. At that show (Komatsu) was the only one with a booth for that NEW feature, that I saw at the show. I know it's a pain in the butt to do. But if a tractor is left for winter say. How about just blocking up front, remove the front Tires. They recommend a Boat insurance company will tell you to do that with your Sitting boat trailer.

[@hyattfamilyfarmtractoradve6066]

Pit bull a mastiff and a nosey neighbor work well for a deterrent here. Drove by s&h and it looked like they were only selling zero turn mowers. Only had a couple new tractors on the lot. Strange times that are getting stranger.

[@wgregvet]

A couple of armed men broke into my cabbed tractor a couple years ago. They were picked up by a couple of trail cameras (the reason I know they were armed). Audio from from cameras revealed they planned bring back a trailer and steal it but got spooked by the neighbor's dogs barking. Instead they broke a $500 window to steal $20 worth of hand tools in the cab. I then placed 2 fuel cut off valves on it. One not too hard to find the other more difficult to find. I figured they would not think to look for a second cut off valve. I also put a GPS tracker on it (Logistimatics) and instead of connecting it to the main battery I put a second gel cell battery (hidden in the dash) to power it and use a solar charger on the roof to keep it charged. So if they think disconnecting the battery will defeat a GPS hopefully that wont work for them.

[@PatrickKQ4HBD]

Dang, you're thorough! 👏

[@jackholden6320]

Great information in this video thank you Mike

[@goaheadmakeourdayscooterpe9644]

Always amazed me a very large dealer with several stores and millions in equipment that had several thefts won't pay for a 10 buck a hour security guard for nights and weekends when closed.

[@PatrickKQ4HBD]

Having been a security guard, I promise a low paid guard is a security risk.

[@brwadabrown43]

Great information.

[@BarryHull]

You're friend is my new hero. 🙂

[@jimputnam2044]

Mike you are right you cannot stop a thief, but you can slow him down. If it is too much work the lazy bastard will go look for an easies score. Please tell your neighbour he can bury bodies on my property if he runs out of room.

[@outdoor07]

It would have been perfect when he said "the thing that is finally slowing down the theft of tractors" -and then pulls out a Dirty Harry size 44 magnum revolver.

[@fhuber7507]

Wildey .475... Clipped elephant cartridge in a pistol.

[@tree_carcass_mangler]

@@fhuber7507 "My friend Wildey is coming..."

[@bslturtle]

I like your neighbor. There should be more people like him :)

[@earlyriser8998]

worried alot about this when we lived off property and had $100K worth of equipment with no one around now that we live 100 yds from the tractor and equipment we have two watch guards, Mr Smith and Mr Wesson, to prevent tractor theft

[@bigbigby4657]

Really good advice.

[@bikenraider99]

Man, I figure mine is parted out in Mexico by now. Good prevention tip

[@michaelgarza3198]

I bought a tractor bran new cash should I still get insurance and were ?

[@reality1958]

Tractor Mike is there a way to chain/padlock a riding mower so someone can’t roll it away? I ordered a riding mower and I want to somehow secure it when it gets here as I have to store it outside

[@driver4x4truck63]

When I bought my new John Deere 1025r last year, I wrote the serial number down on the front of my owners manual. If it would ever get stolen, I can give the sheriff the serial number

[@randykane474]

Any GPS product recommendations?

[@cecillanter3207]

back in the 1980s I had a security company, we often were hired to install magnetic probs where a piece of equipment was stored...if move this would be detected by the probe which was connected to turn on video recorders and alert the owners... and this was over forty years ago Today these probs are commonly used to open automatic gates systems

[@NistaDGB]

any tips for some good gps devices? Also some decent marking techniques?

[@andrewsanchez5862]

I had a Ravelco Anti Theft Device put on my Kubota L3901. Grey plug that you take with you when the tractor is not in use. Tractor won't start or run without it.

[@rexb6478]

Question: Does a kill switch/safety switch violate the warranty on the tractor/drive train?

[@justindavis1546]

No it would not void warranty unless it caused the damage/problem in question.

[@sovietspy8260]

There is no possible way. Unless a manufacturer wants to void the warranty for something that is effectively similar to installing extra lights.

[@_AndromedaGalaxy_]

I like the idea of a tracking device. Theyre so small and so many places to hide one on a tractor.

[@johnjaco5544]

I put a quick disconnect on my steering wheel.The wheel is not on the tractor when I park it,anymore.Also you can you a cell phone tracker hidden aboard.

[@jlilly1961]

I pull the battery and one wheel when I'm done for season. It's small, a Mahindra 26 Max XL. I pull one front wheel.

[@sirloin9668]

The newer John Deeres i drive now in the UK have coded keys, those standard ones won't work

[@bonnieupton4114]

Good info

[@cascaderetriever7618]

Who makes a good gps?

[@mrgoodwrench1103]

Good information and advice Mike. Go Chiefs !!!!!

[@T_157-40]

I will put Satellite tracking on it with device concealment plus alarm on storage barn with sensors. If you are not going to use it for a while put thick chains on lock into concrete on floor. cCTv in home helps too.

[@LisaMedeiros-tr2lz]

Chains do absolutely nothing since lithium ion battery powered grinders have arrived. You can remove the thickest chain in about 30 seconds.

[@dwaincearley1916]

Thank for info. Getting to build a barn then buy a tractor

[@45von]

Place battery on a 2x4 after removing it, that's a very old myth. I'm surprised to hear that again after all these decades. A battery in direct contact with the earth or concrete will not discharge it, or ground it.

[@MikeBrown-ii3pt]

Years ago it was true but the materials used for modern battery cases prevent it now.

[@haroldwaig2242]

Myth or Not? I still do it.. It's EZer to get fingers under battery when lifting off /putting on floor .

[@RustyZipper]

Just set the battery on a small unsuspecting pebble on the ground and let it puncture the bottom.

[@txtpqb]

I think I'll eliminate my chances and set it off the ground anyway. I dislike buying things AGAIN that could've been prevented.

[@Kevin-xn5qn]

I know,but I still do it.

[@terrycrissman7392]

Do you have links to the devices you’ve mentioned?

[@andrewahern3730]

I park with the attachments down. I guess I figure it’s better for the suspension to be unloaded and the hydraulics to be unpressurized but now it’s also an anchor on the front and back

[@stargate565]

Does anybody know of a good gps to put on a tractor I’m trying to find one the you can hook to a tractor battery not one that you have to take off and recharge the gps battery

[@PatrickKQ4HBD]

Apple Airtags.

[@TM15R]

MARK MAJOR PARTS AND FRAME BY WELDING. VERY HARD TO REMOVE.

[@jameslovelace7773]

I am a new tractor owner. I am storing my tractor on my property 20 miles away from where I live and only go out there to bush hog every few months. I have a GPS on the tractor per your advice, but I am having a problem finding a company that will insure my tractor in the Florida Panhandle. Any advice on a company that will insure this 40 HP tractor and implements? Also, I am looking for a trailer to haul my 40 HP tractor with a front bucket and a bush hog. Do I need a dual axle trailer?

[@TractorMike]

Try Farm Bureau Insurance. Yes, you'll need dual axles unless you can find a heavy trailer with a 10,000 lb. or so axle under it and I've not heard of anyone making something like that.

[@scrhino40]

On February 1, 2020 my Kubota L2501DT was stolen from Little River, SC and it is reported stolen to Horry County police, SC sure like to find it love my tractor. Have great day be safe.

[@bobd.]

10:00 I have a battery disconnect switch installed which has a removable key.

[@TheGsellers]

Battery kill switch and flip the fuel cutoff to off while it's outside, usually store it out of sight. Any recommended gps tracker? that might be neat to see how far I mow, rake, bale, plow....lol

[@fhuber7507]

Might as well get a cheap Android phone and the cheapest cell service you can. Turn volume off. Turn on tracking... Wire a USB charger in and even if the thieves disconnect the battery from the tractor, the phone can track for 2 or 3 days. GPS trackers need a service plan for you to find them...

[@rogermorsch-to1bt]

Love the channel.....Go Bills!

[@terryl7874]

Good points! I have full replacement insurance on my tractor.

[@bradleyparis5821]

Hi, can you share what company you are insured with? Need for John Deere 310SK backhoe.

[@busterqhorse4226]

I pull my aux starting relay. Nobody would find where it was supposed to be and if they did I doubt they would have a New Holland relay in their pocket!

[@PatrickKQ4HBD]

And park it with the wheels turned.

[@LisaMedeiros-tr2lz]

@@PatrickKQ4HBD What does that do? Can't you just lift the front axle with a small, portable $20 bottle jack and straighten them? Maybe on bigger machines there is a steering lock. Mine doesn't have one.

[@CamppattonFamilyCompound]

That link doesn't show most Kioti tractors

[@ellobo1326]

I’d bet the thieves aren’t taking the time to chain it down at the scene of the crime. Drive a few miles to a “safe” place and proceed.

[@romanschroeder5695]

Place the battery on a board. I set one on my shop floor once to charge it and it messed up the concrete surface.

[@gregoryhumphries8956]

Some years ago I was doing a firewood job. I took my Kubota loader over and was loading my trailer taking it home and coming back. When we got back there was a flat top tow truck back there winching my Kubota. We called the Police and they arrested him and impounded his truck. I guess they were watching him anyway. If I'd been a half hour later I'd lost my Loader.

[@rubenshartman]

Nice video

[@patrickcorbett8361]

Good job Tractor Mike ! pc

[@09FLTRMM77]

MM77 Approved 👍🏼👍🏼 How about some gps tracking companies information?? Who do you suggest?

[@elricm13]

Most thieves can’t start my pony motor diesel tractors……lol

[@patriot4258]

I remove the computer as it has quick connects. . It’s not going anywhere

[@SRBrown-vn4sw]

Hid a AirTag on mine

[@cottydry]

Keep your tractors parked inside. If that's not possible, park them in areas where they're hard to see from the nearest public road. If they can be seen, then park them where they'll be hard to get to. Thieves want to pick the easiest target. Make yours the most difficult/risky target so they pick someone else's farm to rob. It's kind of like the old story; "two guys are being chased by a grizzly bear. The first guy says we'll never outrun the bear. The second guy says I don't have to. I just need to outrun you".

[@kllisk]

Laws need to change,mandatory death penalty for over $1500 weather stolen or damaged

[@glennwerst]

Since thieves can easily carry keys and batteries with them, I take my front wheel off when my tractor is parked remotely for long periods of time

[@benniehazelwood9276]

Put a master cut off key under the cab of the tractors only you know where it is.

[@tilmangreenjr5765]

I haven't been able to find the place where you said that I can find my serial number on my tractor. I've got a Kubota M 5400. I bought it 6 years ago and still haven't found it.

[@subwarpspeed]

The link is in the video description. I haven't check if your model is listed though.

[@waynep343]

Guys with power pole installation boom trucks can install power pole anchors and using 3/4" grade 125 chain with square wire will really slow thieves down. Even when parked in a field. Just dont hit your anchor with a dozer or grader blade. You wont be happy.

[@PatrickKQ4HBD]

That's brilliant.

[@LisaMedeiros-tr2lz]

$50 battery powered grinder will remove that chain in under a minute.

[@jerrywilhelm996]

I bought a stollen kioti tractor. Asked sherrif first. Took my nieghbor with me to get his oppion. A month later my nieghbor came over to see what the serial nimber was. His accountants wife just texted him to be on the look out for their tracor, it was stolen. Took about a year but i got my money back!!

[@bobcole9274]

Trust your neighbor?#@ I had a farm a hundred plus miles from home. Tractor was being used while I was gone, talked to my honest insurance agent living 1/4 mile away. finally caught the thief. Yep, my oh so honest neighbor!! Beware, use tracking and camera option if possible. Maybe a grizzly bear in the shop, lol

[@anonymouscitizen9630]

Take the rear wheels & tires off 😂🤣😂

[@DougAlesUSA]

Adding two more, assuming you live near the tractor. Have a dog. Our dog alerts us when someone comes around. And the other? Exercise your 2nd amendment right. Oh, about the GPS device statement, they’re pricey up front and each month. Tip: hide an Apple air tag on your tractor. Then all you need is someone with an iPhone to get within a few hundred feet of the tractor and you will get a ping sent to you. They are small. No monthly fee.

[@mistersniffer6838]

300 hour cream puff? I turned mine into an abused chocolate turd in 50 hours :(

[@MLJenkins]

The freaking safety switches on my last tractor were always on the fritz. Just engage every lever that triggers one they’ll be there a while until they swear up and down and give up. Seriously though I’ve wondered if sticking an AirTag somewhere hidden would be worthwhile and cheaper than gps. Not as accurate but a lot cheaper if it would work.

[@PatrickKQ4HBD]

@@WYO_Cowboy_Joe it's a $29 little disk made by Apple that provides location within 6' anywhere in the world, whenever ANYONE'S iPhone gets within range of it. The phones owner never even know that it passed the data back to the cloud servers. $100 for a 4-pack.

[@a.saintango1311]

God bless country Justice. Chains and binders’ll be used for something much different up the holler if you get caught stealing.

[@jeffhollingshead8299]

Trust me they won't be found

[@wesbrackmanthercenthusiast4695]

If it don't run you can't steal it lol

[@PatrickKQ4HBD]

All you need is a rollback.

[@theChiz]

Q: How do you prevent tractor theft? A: Mossberg 590.

[@coulstonscove]

So macho!

[@waynep343]

Lockable master battery disconnect switch. Morse cable operated battery master disconnect switches are available. Fuel shut off valves, Hidden GPS tracker. Somebody stole my friends car with GPS. Cops had the thief on the hood in 5 minutes.

[@swampwhiteoak1]

Much repetition and redundancy.

[@CamppattonFamilyCompound]

First Comment

[@michaelchan188]

GPS? GPS jammers cost only $5.

[@MrDdaland]

Not overly concerned with someone stealing my old Ford 841- it's a std transmission.....

[@LisaMedeiros-tr2lz]

Isn't it equipped with neutral?

[@fhuber7507]

I installed a generic replacement car ignition switch like those from 1950s (in the dash, not steering column) Not the one key fits all for the brand. Hiding a GPS locator can be difficult. Not many places that you can't look within 5 minutes.