Tractors are being STOLEN!!! - How to protect your equipment - TMT

[@Quantalume]

You guys do a tremendous public service. Most of us are too far away to ever buy a tractor from you, but we nonetheless get a lot of benefit from watching your videos. Thanks for your efforts.

[@botabob]

Quantalume - They have a great online part catalogue

[@djmiller5563]

I couldn't agree more...

[@davesmith8936]

Absolutely! Thanks for your efforts!

[@josephwyse265]

I want to thank Neil for all the education he provides. I was in Philadelphia visiting a college with my high school daughter and after we were done for the day we drove 90 minutes to go visit Messick a week ago. I am looking to buy an L4701 and talked with one of the helpful dealers at Messick. When I told him how much I appreciated the videos and Neil’s articulate videos he said “do you want to meet him”. In two minutes Neil came down the stairs and said hello. What a wonderful, friendly guy doing a great service for Kubota and the tractor community in general. Thank you for all your efforts. Wish you were in the Illinois/Wisconsin area so I could buy the tractor from you!

[@MessicksEquip]

It was nice to meet you 😀

[@TheVexCortex]

1. Buy a new key-switch, put it someplace discreet you can still reach while seated. 2. Rewire the original switch to a claymore under the seat.

[@jesseamaya4413]

Oh I LIKE the claymore idea.😃

[@scottjohnson9912]

A claymore might be a little big ( there is 1/4 lb of C 4 in them ) and I wouldn't want to damage my machine , therefore mabee a smaller mine like one of those toe poppers would be better . That way all you have to do is clean the blood off the seat .

[@scottjohnson9912]

The US M 14 would be perfect .

[@edouardgluck9588]

So good…I just almost spit my coffee out. This was a good laugh and much appreciated

[@nacholibre1962]

How about a pressure switch under the seat that initiates a wifi signal to my phone?

[@robotpizza]

I have a warning sticker on mine. It states...”Warning: Wife Comes With Tractor”. It’s worked well for me so far!

[@randygerman2176]

Your tractor must vibrate a LOT !

[@tooleyboi491]

@Summit X She probably feels the same about you!

[@redneck5356]

Wife and mother in-law comes with tractor

[@NativeBowhunter1965]

My grandpa always came up with very unconventional ways to stop thieves on his farm. All his tractors used 1/4” plugs like the ones used to plug into the old sound equipment like guitars and keyboards. The female end is usually flush, or nearly flush, and it’s very easily concealed about anywhere. The male plug had the 2 internal contacts soldered together by a very short wire. It was wired into an ignition wire well before it in the wiring. Without the male plug into that socket the equipment wouldn’t do anything, preventing it from being stolen.

[@mrgearheadfromhell]

I work for a International truck dealership in Ashland Virginia, a few weeks ago now we had a brand new rollback stolen right off our lot. They cut the outbound gate lock and the cameras actually recorded the guy with a key ring trying one key after the last, when he got to the key that opened the door he got in, started the truck and away he went. International only has like 20 different key codes so if you have every key you can start any truck. After working in the heavy equipment field for 10 years I have my own set of equipment keys, because CAT uses one key as does VOLVO and other manufacturers. John Deere has one for their equipment and one for the skid steers, the keys are actually cut on opposite sides; However they look almost identical. If a thief wants something bad enough they are going to get it, so it is in a owners best interest to install one or more disabling features. As you mentioned they look for soft targets, if they have to go through a bunch of obstacles or try to figure out how to get it running, chances are they are going to look elsewhere. The trick to installing a electrical disabling device is you have to make it look like it is supposed to be there, a missing fuse or relay can be figured out rather quickly, much like switches that were customer installed. Rewiring a 4X4 switch so it would have to be in 4X4 LOW RANGE to start isn't something a thief is going to think about, they want to go so they aren't looking for slow speed. As a technician I'm used to master switches, even with a lock the cables can be moved to the same stud and power is on. My point is if they can see it they can figure out how to bypass it. Something that is already there is much harder to figure out. Years ago some GM vehicles had to flash the high beams before they would start, however anyone that had one knows that. The best solution IMO is to hard wire GPS in the ECM, this would be something that wouldn't be able to easily be removed and would locate the equipment; However it would require it's own power source so even if the battery was disconnected it would still work. Pre electronic engines don't take a lot to start, the fuel shut off is either going to be mechanical or electrical. For a mechanical you really only have to jump the starter solenoid after opening the fuel control. The electrical is a bit different however it usually only requires a jumper wire to the fuel switch prior to jumping the starter solenoid. As for removing a fuse, that's a no brainer, don't leave a empty space; replace the good fuse with a blown fuse. If a thief was to see all the fuses they aren't going to pull each fuse to see if it's good, and they probably didn't bring a DVOM with them. Much like a relay, if it's missing, here's your sign; However if you cut one of the terminals off a spare relay and put it in, then it just doesn't work.

[@kevchard5214]

Thanks for the ideas I never thought about the blown fuse or relay.I remove the battery since my tractor doesn't get used very often I keep the battery in the garage on charge and also unplug the seat and neutral start switch.

[@MustangsTrainsMowers]

Modify a seat with positive voltage to the seat and negative voltage to the steering wheel. And when it goes off the thief gets their private parts shocked. I rent some pole barn storage that’s away from where I live. The barns sit 1/2 mile back from a through road. I used to part out riding mowers part time. People would give my number to other people and I was some days getting multiple calls a day asking if I had this or that part. One day this guy called up and but he wasn’t looking for a specific part,,, he just wanted to see my storage. I got a bad gut feeling and I said no. He continued to push and I again said no. I usually meet people at home, Walmart or a gas station. I get the rare idiot or no show or time waster who offers $50 for something I have at $100 firm.

[@gkk2001]

mrgearheadfromhell I like your last paragraph best, the use of a blown fuse or relay. Excellent ideas. Overall, great comments. The world is getting to be a place where diligence pays to fight the too many thieves.

[@LarryTait1]

A terminal off an fuse sounds like a good idea. Yes the bad boys now likely know this, but again if they have to pull fuses,etc it slows them down! I’ll try that and I have a special chain that cannot be cut with a bolt cutter of any size; it has to be cut with a noisy angle grinder and an abrasive wheel. Those showers of sparks are very visible at night. Spectacular fireworks 💥

[@superdupergrover9857]

Reminds me of a product. It is a battery disconnect terminal but has a jumper fuse-wire; keeps computers happy for normal use but burns out if started. (I know that's more cars than equipment) My point is to use the same principal for the fuse box. Find something needed to run the equipment then replace that fuse with something underrated. So long as the thief hasn't memorized the fuse ratings he just thinks whatever system just failed for no reason. Put it on something really expensive and hard to replace and maybe it's more trouble than it's worth. Just make sure it's something the thief will find out WHILE HE'S STEALING and not after, although the later is better than nothing I suppose.

[@y2kxj]

I've seen once a guy make a wood plug and jam it in behind the air filter. No air no run.

[@mcmark9780]

One thing you can always count on. Dead people don’t steal

[@jayanddenissejones6648]

Thanks Neil. It's sad that you even need to do these type videos but as someone that has been the victim of theft in the past your info was much appreciated! Thanks again. Always love your videos.

[@bobcat1]

Real punishment for thieves would reduce crime dramatically. I not talking about extra probation time. I mean hands cut off for first time and death penalty for repeat offenders.

[@gkk2001]

bobpuddyy Are you from Iraq or Iran. Got to be one of them. But funny thing is, you are right.

[@Alibeysuleimanoglu]

@Bobpuddyy Do you want to introduce barbarec shakira law to the liberal united sates? C'mon go live and Saudi Arabia

[@oakld]

The first one is a punishment to the society, apart from a violent part. Why not a prison with hard labor? Work is the ultimate punishment for people trying to avoid working to make decent living.

[@superdupergrover9857]

I think the punishment should fit the crime, but that maxim cuts both ways.

[@jpoppinga8417]

@@oakld good point. Either way the current "justice system" is a joke. For all sides involved.

[@hughezzell10000]

A self-contained gps button is a good idea for an older machine. Although it certainly wont work all the time, I'd suggest an owner to carefully think out where he parks his tractor. If you can put it behind something where it's not visible from the road or inside a clients shed, that's better - maybe down in an excavation or behind a pile. If it's a little machine, like mine, put it inside a grizzly if that's available. Behind some bushes might work too My machine is blue color. Orange or yellow yells out "here I am". I think green would be best. What a thief cant see a thief cant steal. A little sign noting to the thief on the dash that the machine's got a hidden gps locator might dissuade him. Also my machine is older - I've done all these things - bat disconnect, fuel line shutoff, lock on the injector pump, clutch lockout, etc . You also can make the handle for the implement controls removable. Then leave it with the bucket down, and the hoe outriggers down. Thinking about all this, maybe I'll put a loud horn rigged to a switch on the hood on it and isolate the battery so the terminals cant be disconnected easily. Another thing and this is important - do something to your machine that makes it stand out differently from others of the same model - paint the front bucket a different color - put a different seat on it - paint the roll bar white - something that, when you're looking at it from 1/2 of a block away you know instantly that it's your machine. You DONT want to have to go check the id numbers before you call the cops in to repo it for you. Dont stomp in or ride in on your steed with your guns blazing either. They've got guns too and if you're lucky, they'll open up on the cops when you send them in, which will be far better for you because the cops will get them all for you and clean up the whole nest. If it's lost, call the cops fast - including the highway patrol so they can watch for it at weigh stations. Let everyone know - auction houses (Ritchie Bros, etc) local dealerships, etc. Then start watching ebay and craigslist every night. Watch the newspaper for it too. I keep either the front or rear tires on mine purposefully in bad condition so maybe a call to a tire company might identify someone buying replacements. The thieves are probably going to move it out of the area to unload it. Either that or they're going to use it themselves. Drive around several days later and watch for it. You never know - you might get lucky.

[@gbrinks1957]

Is it possible to have a locksmith re key the ignition switch to a unique, non manufacturer master key compatible, key? The only other way I can see to attempt to keep your equipment safe is to never leave it at a job site. I was given that advice by a landscaper who told me his tractor ALWAYS went back to the shop every night.

[@townsendliving9750]

Yea you can re key it. The problem is they are so simple to hot wire. Unusually two jumper wires will start most tractors

[@glenkelley6048]

30-06 is hard to outrun on a tractor!

[@AStanton1966]

The easiest fix would be throw your PTO switch in the on position when you leave the tractor. For long term, remove one of the front wheels.

[@cbboggs6459]

Great video. I have installed a fuel solenoid shut off which prevents the solenoid from opening. Each machine is different but it's relatively easy. I'm not saying which machine I have but it does have a Kubota engine. Learned the hard way after having a machine stolen. I got it back 2 years later but it was only after I bought a replacement.

[@spyder000069]

Automotive air bag under seat wired to start switch with hidden disable switch.

[@tomn7087]

Thanks for taking your time to make videos. Good information and a good sign of a quality dealer with, what appears to be, excellent customer service. Keep them coming

[@TheRonald6524]

Excellent video!!! Some very useful tip’s!!! I just purchased A B 2601 I absolutely Love it!!!!!!! Nice 👍 little unit!!! One add detergent I have is a 357 Magnum 🔫! My youngest daughter is also ranked #1 at the shooting range!! I feel Comfortable!!! I Like the hidden fuel ⛽️ shut off valve idea!! Another Great video!!

[@garybulwinkle82]

I started using my tractor back in the 80's, and without many exceptions, needed to take my equipment home every day to keep it safe! With these compact tractors, it's not that hard, with a car trailer behind your average pickup! I also find it much easier to do daily maintenance and prep at my shop than in the field! With these pieces of equipment, it's hard to keep the vandals out, and one "attack" can destroy a valuable tool which may be impossible to just replace!!!! Also most contractors have very little in the way of security or theft insurance, and any damage to your equipment is the subcontractor's responsibility!

[@semco72057]

In my area here in Arkansas the thieves usually steal really heavy equipment like bulldozers, and saw mill equipment. I am retired so I am around my home most of the time and keep a lookout for everything around home. Most people around here know that I am close by and don't stop to steal anything, but they have stolen from my brother who live across the road from me.

[@naomionlynaomi893]

Great video and great tips - the one thing I would add is to tape a “TILE” somewhere inconspicuous in the cab, you can get ‘em for about $15-20 and the free app allows you to track your tractor to its new location

[@_P0tat07_]

12 Guage 😉

[@MLJenkins]

Connect the seat switch to a relay that remotely plays a sound of a shotgun pump. May have to clean the seat.

[@ginomanshit2365]

just use the real sound kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3ullq2IrN2bjqM

[@danburch9989]

A sniper on the roof with an AR-15 and scope. One warning shot. If the thief tried to flee and inadvertently steps in front of that shot, too bad.

[@danburch9989]

Are you serious? You can't tell sarcasm even if it slaps you up side your head!

[@ginomanshit2365]

+Dan Burch well it is called autism for a reason

[@krixig]

Whenever you have something nice, theres always some piece of garbage out there that wants to ruin it for you.

[@G.I.JeffsWorkbench]

Great list, as expected from you Neil. My large dogs each have a GPS collar. Small GPS trackers have come way down in price. Also consider etching your serial number in unnoticeable locations; under PTO shroud or steps. If the crook steals then removes your serial number plate, it will be easier to identify your tractor. Corded etchers are also inexpensive. Lastly, good neighbors can be a great first line of defense.

[@kennethbailey2616]

Just about every farm and ranch in my corner of Montana has tractors and other equipment sitting in fields. I guess some get stolen occasionally but I read about it much in our weekly newspaper. :)

[@damham5689]

Might be to expensive for a dealer unless sold as an featured device with the equipment, but SPOT makes a small and easy to install type of lojack system that can be set to alert you whenever the machine is moved and track it anywhere in the world. I think the unit is about $140 upfront and $100 a year fee. Which is cheap for what it does.

[@herpnderpn2484]

Black vice grips on a soft fuel line under the cab in a way you have to feel but cant see it. Got a loader attachment, pop the front wheels off and take em home. 3 minutes with an air gun will have em back on/off.

[@Zimmerdf]

I was hoping you would discuss Lo-Jack. Been wanting real world experience and stories regarding how effective it is. Our local Kubota dealer had a few brand new tractors still in the crate stolen a few years ago, so I don't think anything to disable a tractor will be effective if they are gonna steal it.

[@byronharris358]

I've turned the wheels and ran a lock through the steering linkage. It's pretty tight to the linkage, so it will be difficult to cut off the lock. It will go, but only in circles.

[@PaulLadendorf]

Ever hear of a cordless grinder?

[@adamdnewman]

Thank You for the excellent videos and all the great information.

[@chuckk458]

The idea I had is using a weatherpack connector, spliced in somewhere before one of those seat safety switches. Then you could disconnect the switch, disconnect the weatherpack, and you could take that piece of wire (with the special switch connector) with you.

[@jxxslxxh8592]

I have a M7040 open station. I have 2 switches hidden on the tractor for kill switches linked to the 5 amp fuse for the starter relay. Both switches need to be closed for the tractor to start up. All I did is make a long loop with 14 gauge wire from the fuse block around the engine and behind the head lights and back to the fuse box. I blended it in well with the wire looms already there. So if they find 1 switch, they still need to find the other as well to start the tractor. This is a huge time killer and the crooks would move along to the next tractor is my thoughts here. 1 is hidden under the hood near the head lights on the hood itself and its a standard on off switch. The other is the horn button on the dash that's red and marked "horn" and has to be pushed down the whole time while starting to complete the circuit to start. So far so good. True I just told my secret but, I hope to help others so there ya go.

[@ls8354022]

SO WERE DO YOU LIVE?

[@TallTexasGMan]

Just jumper over with a screwdriver at the starter. Problem solved.

[@rubenjames7345]

Just wanted to echo the appreciative comment below. I am seriously considering my first compact tractor and I wish that I was able to do business with Messick's. On the topic of theft prevention; I'm very surprised that Kubota doesn't employ some of the generally available technologies that the auto manufacturers utilize. Equipment theft has been around forever. I hate to sound cynical, but maybe someone who gets his tractor stolen needs a new tractor. Cha-ching!

[@ferencbrown7090]

if there is a compression release lever on the engine you can put a tube with one side cut out between the lever and the cable housing and lock it on with another tube to go 180 on top of it and a lock to keep them together. you can also name the front pully so it will seem like the engine is locked up, or put a switch in the tractor to interrupt the starter solenoid wire.

[@olfart7902]

i like battery "disconnect" , also prevents fire, from rodent chewing wire.

[@larrypatterson3957]

As always, thanks for your great advice and taking time to share your knowledge with us.

[@scottfoster2487]

I run a dozer that if started and you are not aware there is 4 150 decibal piezo sirens plus a strobe light and a special switch ,and no you can not see the them they look like factory parts :P Time for Kubota to start doing serial numbers on machines . You want to make it take the most time to get the tractor running,time is the enemy of a crook. Engage the pto(S) and park the tractor in a way towing is not a option. You know a piece of plate steel machined right for a padlock to secure the hydrastat pedals could be a awesome accesory for Messicks to design and then sell to consumers.

[@MessicksEquip]

There are serial numbers, and a list of stolen machines.. but its very easy to avoid detection.

[@____________________________.x]

Odd that you never mentioned any form of GPS tracker, pretty common in the UK on high value items. Use a timer delay on a fuel cutoff, just enough to run it for 10 seconds and then cut the fuel.

[@mkgunnells2987]

When we bought our tractor, I purchased 10 feet of heavy duty 3/8ths inch chain to secure it. I run it through the rear wheels, then over the deck. I know it can be cut though with enough time and tools, but the idea was to make it just hard enough that a thief would decide to look for an easier target. And for the more determined thief, we have the Kubota insurance.

[@brandoncaldwell95]

MKGunnells2 We done the same with our mahindra. Also engaged the PTO, put it into high gear, 4 gear and the shuttle control into reverse. Id love to see the poor bastards try and figure all those knobs out and turn the tractor over by the PTO with a chain throgh the front tires and the loader cross member.

[@court2379]

With cordless angle grinders and a cut off wheel, chain only lasts 30sec. It does make noise though, if it is somewhere it can be heard.

[@jhonjhon1740]

we live in iuka IL and a local John Deere dealer got a tractor stolen. the man sold it at an auction and the guy that bought it went to look at the year which is where the serial # is. the plate was ripped off and there was a serial # stamped under the plate that they missed. all the rest were grinded off and notified the police and gave it back to the dealer

[@453tye65e65e65e65]

a lot of John Deer heavy equipment has gone keyless. They have a keypad that you can set a code on. Some CAT equipment have after-hours timed lockouts if you don't have the chipped key that came with it.

[@BornRandy62]

My winter boss lost a skid steer attachment that required a skid steer to remove from where it was. Then a trailer for both the attachment and machine used to rip it off. Left at a farmhouse behind a shed so it is a definite head scratcher as to how they knew it was there . Uh huh they will mess up and be using it when it is checked on

[@billsmith9610]

How do you know they didn't just use a flatbed ?

[@KingSlimjeezy]

great info. been hearing about equipment theft a lot more recently. particularly landscaping/ construction stuff (more of an urbanized region)

[@JohnSmith-dj5gf]

Conceal a satellite based tracking device discreetly wired to 12V. Lots of options for cheap trackers on Amazon.

[@tigerman7286]

You could turn the throttle lever all the way down and then remove the lever at the dash or on older tractor remove the bar that connects it to the pump. Also locking the fuel stop lever in the kill position will also help.

[@ronalves9118]

Not quit the same but sometimes, something like a LoJack or GPS locator can help recover if the thieves get past the other things you do to protect your equipment.

[@superdupergrover9857]

You can't make it impossible to steal. The idea is to waste so much of the thieves' time, effort and risk that it isn't worth stealing. One thing that isn't directly mentioned here is increasing his risk. The use of physical barriers, when properly designed, will increase the visual and sound exposure of the theft. Use this in combination with a security system to increase the thieves' risk. I know money is tight for many of you, but it doesn't have to be a "security system" as you normally think of it. Use trail cameras. Give your neighbors your phone number and tell them whenever you are out of town or about to do something out of the ordinary with your equipment; this way they know when to call you or the police. Don't just make it hard to steal, make it hard to get away with stealing it.

[@aspitofmud6257]

So some of to things I've used security wise are 12ga trip wires (Blanks ), motion sensors, trail cameras and best of all dogs who are very territorial. And a super high lumen flashlight. I love mine! 🔦

[@KiotiCS]

All great tips ! just got done watch a video from Tractor Time With Tim channel he got a tractor from a Public Auction and found out it had been stolen from a John Deere dealer. Have a Happy Easter ! Kioti Curt :-)

[@nathanbrodeur]

Just recently within the last 3 months a Indiana John Deere dealership had a John Deere 3046R tractor get stolen by a thief that ground the vin tags off the egr can the loader frame and the chassis of the tractor and painted the exterior vin tag locations then took the tractor to a farm ag club that auctioned the tractor without looking for vin tags to see if it was stolen so I would advise you to reach out to auction houses in your area and walk there employees around the different models to where the vin tags are so they can properly know if a tractor is stolen and that your dealerships and the auction houses are on the same page

[@wiedapp]

As an electrician I do have my ways to ensure a thief would touch my equipment only once and then never again. Literally.

[@Allworldsk1]

👌👌👌

[@nacholibre1962]

I have a Rhodesian Ridgeback who refuses to take his meds. If someone wants to come on my property uninvited, they are going to have an unpleasant time and figuring out how to steal my tractor will quickly become the least of their problems.

[@frankcarroll2557]

I have used the master switch/battery disconnect but I put it on the hot wire for the starter so I don't lose my radio presets.

[@danosullivan2313]

You need my house key and and a battery disconnect thing to start mine people have tried but failed all cought on camera and one got cought there.

[@jeffking]

Could you put a boot on a wheel?

[@Foofrarf23]

Try what rental car facilities do and that is to install tire spikes for dealer/ parking lots. Also keep your tractor (if it's small enough) in a garage, barn, shed or some type of out building so it can be out of sight and out of mind of a thief. If your equipment is stolen, keep in mind that if you had stamped some type of non factory marking or unique code under the frame, that machine won't usually be able to be sold to someone because of that.

[@reiniervanderheijden1260]

On our tractors on my job (the big ones for a farm) we just hid a button somewhere and leave the keys, if they want to start it a alarms goes ringing and it wont start, very simple and doesnt need alot more time to start a piece of equipment (if you know where the button is ;p)

[@CopperCettle]

Sort of like what Biff Tannon had on his car

[@Jerry-ko9pi]

My mom and dad said I should take off a tire! I have a cable on steering wheel and another chain around front axle and front loader. I'm planning on putting on some sort of GPS tracker or air tag too.

[@donradomski3487]

How about secreting a gps tracking device somewhere on the tractor? I believe some cars have them, and can disable the car remotely if reported stolen.

[@BiffsEquipment]

I always wondered how those guys in India drive brand new kubota’s, John Deere’s, new Holland’s, ETC.. this explains everything! LOL

[@Allworldsk1]

Good point. I see those videos too

[@BiffsEquipment]

@@Allworldsk1 haha, I made this comment before I even started my KZbin channel I think lol

[@alexhickey5633]

If its a hydrostatic you can find a hose and disconnect it. If its a manual you can disable the clutch

[@fx3vette1]

Another awesome video - Hadn't even thought about securing my B2650 w/cab model other than putting a steering wheel lock in place and locking the doors when done. Maybe a fuel shut off switch wouldn't be a bad idea, Thanks again for the information.

[@haroldwaig2242]

It would help if the manufacturer's made a different "KEY" for every machine, instead of one fits all, of that model tractors. It would be a start.

[@danstevens2204]

Harold Waig the amount of owners that loose their keys would make that a logistical nightmare. I’m speaking from 17 years experience in spare parts at a dealership.

[@michaelbender9709]

The electronic pinned ones like the ones on Bobcats and the Spartan mower seem to be better than a traditional keyed system

[@matt89447]

Hate to tell you but camping trailers are same. About a dozen keys and anyone can have access.

[@0xFF48]

Aside from the fact that many large farms or construction companies that own or rent many tractors or heavy equipment, having a different key for each piece of equipment would be a nightmare. Universal keys does reduce management issues. For the home owner or small homestead, the tractor isn't used daily, and easy to lose. Plus frankly keys aren't much of a deterrent, out in my area, car thieves use shaved or bump keys to steal cars all the time. KZbin search for Honda bump key, you'll see how easy they are to make. A tractor is going to have even fewer security features on their key and ignition lock. I would bet a thief with a bump key can get into my house faster than I can with the real keys.

[@glennso47]

I didn't know tractors even had key starters. Should have the starters like John Deeres used to have where you had to turn a large flywheel to start the tractor?

[@SimonTekConley]

Starter disconnect? The fun part of infosec, figuring out how to bypass things, so I can secure them better.

[@merlinelgato5638]

Try this: keep your equipment indoors, if you have the space, just like my Corvette, and have a 44. Magnum locked and loaded , at the ready. It most certainly slows down the majority of thieves.

[@andrewtory6819]

A good idea is to unhook the range linkage in neutral so it won’t be able to drive

[@austinseubert6047]

I think a good simple thing to do would be to unplug the pto safety switch

[@wi11y1960]

I have a greater problem with some one siphoning fuel from my equipment. On older equipment that has an ignition coil. Get a piece of ridgid molded plastic see through case. Cut from a corner where the plastic makes a 90 degree fold. Cut a piece that is a half inch long. When your done with the tractor, drop this piece of plastic into the ignition points. Nice thing about clear plastic is that unless you know it is there? The thief may not see it when they are trrying to steal the tractor and just give up as it isnt worth stealing.

[@robertwingate650]

wi11y1960 I fixed a FUEL THIEF once. Guy kept stealing gas cans, so I filled two cans with well drip.(DISTILLATE).. Found him a couple miles down the road with the pistons melted out of the engine on his truck. Come to find out it was a guy that lived a few blocks away. Never told him what I did. But he clearly got the message.

[@dumper87]

Little things that cause commotion work well. For example, parking under a motion light, wiring an alarm to the glow plug switch, and installing a hidden switch on the backup alarm (when you park the tractor, switch it so the alarm runs constantly if the ignition is on).

[@inthewoods5640]

GPS Locator

[@Ghis1964s]

These guys often get their equipment from DOD surplus or straight from the store etc. They have non-reflective clothes, night-vision, GPS jammer, radar scrambler, etc

[@inthewoods5640]

Most criminals really aren’t that smart!

[@SledgeHammer43]

I like hidding GPS locators so many places to hide them.

[@dpd16790]

i have a cellular and gps system on my excavator... it also needs a passcode to start it... my local cat dealer is always tracking these things through the gps and pretty much finds all of em.. the thieves aren't too smart around here... it seems they actively monitor their rental fleet too.. a guy down the road from me that is renting a cat 305 e2 on a job decided to use it while he had it at a property out of town and cat called him because it wasn't in the area it was supposed to be in.. he told them that it was him that was moving it and everything was all good but the fact that it was going down the road when they called him says they keep a pretty close eye on em...

[@MrFakit]

A large dog in a fenced area works well

[@steveholton4130]

Please, NOT Your Pet. Any harden criminal will be ready to deal most unkindly with even trained guard dogs. In my book, my tractor Is NOT worth the Life of My PET. A hardened criminal may well be armed with silent weapons that will kill any dog such as a spear gun or a bow and arrow. No muss, no fuss, do dog bite. Sdh in CT

[@67dueceman]

"You can get past a dog, nobody fucks with a lion"

[@1001-u6r]

Dogs don’t work anymore. Thieves just kill them. There are much better ways to keep equipment safe.

[@damham5689]

The just drug or kill the dogs nowadays. Dogs are like locks. They only keep honest people out

[@Mikes600r]

You can add a motorcycle style security system that disables the ignition if it goes off.... I installed one on a street bike I had for a few years, pretty simple. It has a shock sensor, a siren horn, and the unit itself. Came with two key fobs, you tied it in to your ignition and if the alarm is activated, the ignition is killed! I want yo say it was less then $300 and took about 3-4 hours to install neatly and cleanly!

[@strzeldrob6422]

I changed up one of the air conditioning switches with the emergency shutoff on my Deutz dx 6.61 and no one can turn it on except for me. If the air con and lights are off it won't start.

[@matt89447]

My toys as well as farm equipment have alarms. I had the normal ignition switch wired to an alarm which sounds and activates all lights. Then I had a new ignition switch added that will start the engine. I also leave keys in it. Might as well save item from further damage. I test them periodically to make sure they work.

[@jaketalbert8396]

have a lockable steel pipe you can put through the rims or disconnect the drive lines

[@jamesphillippe3653]

I use a cable through the steering wheel and secure it to the side bar. We did this type of security in the Army with the trucks.

[@lh98]

Can't you quickly cut the steering wheel being mostly plastic? A length of pipe and enough leverage you could snap the steering wheel to remove the chain. This would prevent being stolen for about a minute this idea is not very helpful

[@randomthoughts1001]

it's 2018. 12 key patterns is unacceptable. A chip and disabling system is needed as these machines are expensive and in demand.

[@MessicksEquip]

they actually did implement a key chip, other countries have it and it was introduced here shortly on some models. People here hated it.

[@fhuber7507]

@@MessicksEquip Yes the thieves were writing all kinds of bad reviews about the inconvenience it caused.

[@paulpreston9555]

Take steering wheel off each one, Park your biggest tractors around the smaller ones...

[@_P0tat07_]

Haha i often see construction sites where they park the little tractor between the tracks of the excavator and then block it in with the boom.

[@brandoncaldwell95]

P0tat07 Its funny when they take the welding and equipment trailers and stack them ontop of the shipping container.

[@railfanjames7699]

Paul Preston just had to laugh at that first part you said " take the steering wheel off each one"

[@jbkaufman3621]

Snipe Stud00 Or when they hang all of their ladders and generators 30 ft in the air from the crane.

[@brandoncaldwell95]

jbkaufman I watched them do that to a service truck. Threw some material in the back as it was hanging over and hooked the sling to it. Sucker must have been 45ft up. Put all the generators on the storage container and parked the dozer blade against the doors with about 4 locks. Most secure site i ever saw, especially for TxDot!

[@pbb986]

The problem I see is the police will either not try to track a tractor down and even if located will not even try to make arrests in remote sheds and barns.

[@wierpkevin]

Engage the PTO lever and put a bike lock and chain in the track of the lever so the lever can not move out of the engaged position.

[@brandoncaldwell95]

Kevin Wier Spin the pto fast enough ant itll start any tractor with the ignition on.. Ive done it in a pinch on a mahindra as the stores were closed and requiring a battery.

[@johncollado1151]

I suppose if they had a bolt cutter they could remove that chain and engage the PTO lever, if they thought to look there first.

[@brandoncaldwell95]

John Collado If someone is determind to steal something, youll never stop them. More of a discourage as the reward isnt as great or as clean of a getaway.

[@johncollado1151]

Snipe Stud00... All true. Anything mentioned here helps deter a thief, but if determined and knowledgeable, they will succeed for sure.

[@LDee01]

It's sad to say but you basically need to make yours harder to steal than the other ones.

[@justloggit22]

I wonder if you could use something like Milwaukee’s (Tick) tracker

[@MrMflynn4]

Neither a Tile nor a Tick are GPS locators. they are Bluetooth locators that rely on someone who is part of their network being within Bluetooth range the item to be located. A true GPS tracker would be great on a piece of equipment because they usually require power or recharging. Having one hidden on a piece of equipment would be super easy. Used car dealerships that self finance cars use them on the cars till they are paid off. Makes it easy to repo. Bluetooth trackers --you'ed have to get extremely lucky to ever get a hit. If their half smart the thieves could use a cell phone with the service on it to see if any of their "inventory" had a tick on it. If the Ticks/Tiles/Dewalt tags --if all of them used one unified app it would be more effective too. Each has their own app..if the target has tile on it and someone passes within range with the milwalkee app on thier phone....no hit.

[@robertwingate650]

There are battery disconnects that have padlock provisions, downside is you will have to install them in an enclosed that limits access to the electrical studs or a thief can simply bypass it. Definitely remove the key, if it's got a loader, always leave it fully down, and lock the hydraulic out (if equipped) Several companies make permanently attached GPS transponders so it can be tracked once stolen. Putting a unique identifying mark on the tractor will help identify it if the serial/data plates have been removed. In reality, thieves will work really hard to steal something because if they get away with it, it's all 100% profit in their mind so keep insurance on your equipment and don't make yourself an easy target.

[@nickj6275]

i store mine inside with ADT and a motion detector next to my bed with my 308 bolt action along with a ATN x sight night vision scope. Inside the garage sleeps my loader rtv and my 4 full blood german shepherds. Full trained to attack anyone besides me.

[@emrythompson]

Take the spark plug out, unplug the seat weight sensor, and if it has a loader, put it down, then unplug the hydraulic hoses.

[@colinkennedy7542]

In NZ a lot off gear now has GPS . How good would it be to see the police track it.

[@Ghis1964s]

A good electric-link (electric-fence hack) Have the machines link with #1 cable to a beefy(hacked: just a few dozens ignition coils in series) electric-fence box, fed with 240V. They're gonna jump so high they will land right in their box-truck even if parked 1/4 mile away ;)

[@marilynmullen8140]

220?

[@robertl.fallin7062]

only issue is the application of lethal force when a life is not in jeopardy can be a cause for civil lawsuits . ya never know how a jury will see things. (been on juror duty three dozen times)

[@heathbrockway9040]

I'm surprised these larger dealers don't have night time security with issues like this.

[@cactuscamo9685]

I don’t know if this will help but take out the spark plugs like it’s not going to start with out spark

[@OldManandtheSuperC]

Simple bicycle chain lock with the chain in a plastic tube to keep it from scratching. Pull out the end of the plastic tube and fill it full of super glue. When the thief cuts the chain the glue goes everywhere. Come back in the morning and see if the thief is still attached to your tractor or just left the skin off his hands.

[@sylviadugdale1035]

Like your ideas this equipment is far to easy to take

[@robertbrown3355]

I got a Spot Trace on my tractor and my dump trailer.

[@55jplock]

I chain up my forward reverse gear in the reverse position along with the steering wheel on my L2501

[@greggmacklin4222]

Wire the seat to a fence charger. Put a false seat on with a bear trap under the vinal.

[@Trainmasterstudios]

GPS and a 30-06

[@ROTAXD]

Odious Ktenology much simpler to simply put a round in their cranium or just take their knees out with a (few dozen) shots with a loiusville slugger.

[@ibberman]

What is the blue dye for?

[@timbcarlson]

I know someone who hides kids tracker watches somewhere in the machine so if a tractor does get stolen he has the GPS coordinates for it.

[@daviddenman7479]

Can’t you change the ignition so if some thief shows up, his Kubota key won’t work?

[@superdupergrover9857]

I just came up with a truly evil anti-theft device. Run all or some of the computer and/or instrument grounds to a common switch or a 1amp fuse. If under-fused it may start, but a few seconds later the whole thing shuts down or at least has flashing lights everywhere. The bonus is you now know where all the ground leads are, so you can fix them later! Also, on newer equipment, aren't the emission controls require to be functional to run the engine?

[@BeingMe23]

Use a over sized cable on it NOT chain. Cables are hard to cut vs chain.

[@court2379]

How do you fasten the chain/cable? Check out how worthlees locks are at the lockpicking lawyers channel. Also a cordless angle grinders takes care of it in seconds.

[@dphillips705]

What about what i have heard about disconnecting the ecm and that will make it turn over turn over turn over but just not start?

[@ChristopherPaulBacon-m2l]

What about a finger print sensor on the ignition?

[@brownnolen9160]

Is there any type remote control kill switch, similar to a car remote, that would connect and disconnect a electrical circuit?