Attempted Tractor Theft - Prevention Tips?

[m39fan]

Hello,
It's been an interesting day! I was scheduled to be gone today but ended up having to stay home and fix fence so the Llama stops getting out. The Lord must have known I needed to be staying home, and used that goofy little Llama to make sure I did! Just before lunch, a truck and trailer came up our drive. Before I could get out there the guy had dropped the ramp on the trailer and was sitting on our Ford tractor. Needless to say, he was VERY surprised to see me. After telling him in no uncertain terms what I would do if he came back around, I took down his plate # and kicked him off the place.

I think this happened because I had listed our Farmall on eBay. We han't had any issues before then. A couple of bidders wanted directions to come out and see the tractor. I gave them my cell number and when they called, set up a time to come out. One of them was all eyes when he came out. I mean it looked like he looked like he was at a farm sale - eyes everywhere at once. He wasn't the one that showed up today but I wonder if he was working with the guy that did show up today. I received a phone call (on the same cell #) early asking if the caller could come out and see the tractor I had for sale. I told him that Saturday or Sunday afternoon would work. He wanted to know if I wasn't going to be available today and like a dummy, I told him I was going to be gone! Next thing I know (thanks to the Lord and the Llama I'm starting to be fond of) I get to watch a stranger calmly drive up our long steep driveway, stop and drop his trailer ramp and jump up on our tractor! I can't prove that it was related to eBay, but it's something to consider if you're thinking about selling a larger, vulnerable item on an auction site.

Obviously, I'm going to have to limit access to the property when we're gone. At this point, we have two possible entrance points. The first is our current driveway. It's extremely steep with 2 humps and a platau in the middle. It's dirt/gravel and (I'm told) is usable only with 4WD in the winter. Unfortunately, Southern Indiana hasn't had winter! The second is a old overgrown drive we cleared thinking we'd turn it into our primary as it's a gentler slope. It's still grass/mud as the gravel costs didn't work with our budget this year.

I'm thinking just 4x4 posts and a chain for the grass/mud drive. The gravel drive actually has quite a bit of open ground on either side of it, enough that I doubt I could really use a chain that distance. I wondered about putting posts (short telephone poles) on either side of the drive at one of the humps in the drive, running the chain between them and putting "wings" from the first posts to another set of posts and nailing boards accross. Tasteful, ranchy, western style kind of thing. Funnel shaped to deflect hits. Anyone done this? Would this work? Any other suggestions? We're a ministry family, so I can't easy just put up barbed wire/"we don't dial 911" signs/No Trespassing signs, etc. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

The second question/concern would be how to make the tractors and implements less "stealable". I don't have a machine shed or shop big enough to put the larger items into. What do the rest of you folks do???

Thanks for your time, suggestions and listening to me rant!

Take Care,
Mike

[gspig]

Anything with an engine can be disabled. Just remove the coil wire. Other items, screw a mobile home anchor into the ground and chain it up.

[MICHAEL B OHIO]

I would report him to the police. they might go to his house and find all kinds of stuff. Mike

[m39fan]

I like the anchor idea! Very creative! Now I won't have to worry about implements walking off.

I hadn't thought about the coil wires for the tractors, guess I was a leetle too upset. As long as they didn't know about them in advance, it'll work great. Dad tried that a time or two when I was a teenager and had been grounded from my car. Being aware of the situation, I of course just bought another and, other than that last time, just pulled the replacement off before he got home! Bad Boy!

Thanks,
Mike

[highlands]

A gate and big dogs are the solution. Big unfriendly dogs. We have big livestock guardian dogs. They stop people at the gate, fence, etc. The dogs do not take kindly to strangers and are very territorial.

[Fire-Man]

Originally Posted by m39fan

Hello,
It's been an interesting day! I was scheduled to be gone today but ended up having to stay home and fix fence so the Llama stops getting out. The Lord must have known I needed to be staying home, and used that goofy little Llama to make sure I did! Just before lunch, a truck and trailer came up our drive. Before I could get out there the guy had dropped the ramp on the trailer and was sitting on our Ford tractor. Needless to say, he was VERY surprised to see me. After telling him in no uncertain terms what I would do if he came back around, I took down his plate # and kicked him off the place.

I think this happened because I had listed our Farmall on eBay. We han't had any issues before then. A couple of bidders wanted directions to come out and see the tractor. I gave them my cell number and when they called, set up a time to come out. One of them was all eyes when he came out. I mean it looked like he looked like he was at a farm sale - eyes everywhere at once. He wasn't the one that showed up today but I wonder if he was working with the guy that did show up today. I received a phone call (on the same cell #) early asking if the caller could come out and see the tractor I had for sale. I told him that Saturday or Sunday afternoon would work. He wanted to know if I wasn't going to be available today and like a dummy, I told him I was going to be gone! Next thing I know (thanks to the Lord and the Llama I'm starting to be fond of) I get to watch a stranger calmly drive up our long steep driveway, stop and drop his trailer ramp and jump up on our tractor! I can't prove that it was related to eBay, but it's something to consider if you're thinking about selling a larger, vulnerable item on an auction site.

Obviously, I'm going to have to limit access to the property when we're gone. At this point, we have two possible entrance points. The first is our current driveway. It's extremely steep with 2 humps and a platau in the middle. It's dirt/gravel and (I'm told) is usable only with 4WD in the winter. Unfortunately, Southern Indiana hasn't had winter! The second is a old overgrown drive we cleared thinking we'd turn it into our primary as it's a gentler slope. It's still grass/mud as the gravel costs didn't work with our budget this year.

I'm thinking just 4x4 posts and a chain for the grass/mud drive. The gravel drive actually has quite a bit of open ground on either side of it, enough that I doubt I could really use a chain that distance. I wondered about putting posts (short telephone poles) on either side of the drive at one of the humps in the drive, running the chain between them and putting "wings" from the first posts to another set of posts and nailing boards accross. Tasteful, ranchy, western style kind of thing. Funnel shaped to deflect hits. Anyone done this? Would this work? Any other suggestions? We're a ministry family, so I can't easy just put up barbed wire/"we don't dial 911" signs/No Trespassing signs, etc. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

The second question/concern would be how to make the tractors and implements less "stealable". I don't have a machine shed or shop big enough to put the larger items into. What do the rest of you folks do???

Thanks for your time, suggestions and listening to me rant!

Take Care,
Mike

To start with---I would have called the police about the attempted stealing of the tractor before they left. Second you have to remember that you are trying to stop the Honest man from becoming a thief by putting up gates etc and fixing your equipment so its harder to steal. A Thief will get it---if he sets his mind to it. Things you can do to the tractor to slow down a thief is------
1-remove the key
2-turn off the gas
3-put in a concealed switch for the ignition wire so it want crank
4-chain the back wheels together---can't even push it then.
5-chain all your equipment together or
6-screw down some mobile home anchors beside each piece of equipment and chain/lock to them/pour concrete around the anchors if needed
7-Get A Big Bad Dog to watch over your place

Good Luck!! Randy

[farmergirl]

Originally Posted by highlands

A gate and big dogs are the solution. Big unfriendly dogs. We have big livestock guardian dogs. They stop people at the gate, fence, etc. The dogs do not take kindly to strangers and are very territorial.

Hubby and I are considering getting a mastiff for this purpose. Do you know anything about the breed? Know anyone who has them? Would they fit in on a farm with other animals?

[Michael W. Smith]

Yes, a call to the police is certainly in order! I'm sure they will pay that guy a visit to find out what exactly his "intentions" were. My guess is they might find a stash of stolen tractors at his place. REPORT HIM NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[m39fan]

Thanks for the ideas guys. I'd love to get a couple of big nasty dogs, but all it'd take is one little old lady or kid from the church getting hurt (or just a really bad scare) and things could get problematic quickly.

As to the police, I've turned in the plate # and description of the guy as a "person of interest" but really couldn't do much more than that. He had a feasible story, the property is not posted and hadn't done anything definitively illegal yet (hotwiring the tractor, etc). At most, they may have ran his info and if they didn't find anything, gave him a verbal. Word of that may or may not have affected our ability to minister in the area depending on the spin put on the story. I also did suggest bodily harm might occur to him in the event of his return. With a holstered sidearm visable (dog packs have been killing livestock out here). See the issue? I never threatened to shoot him, never brandished it, pointed to it, etc but HE could have said I did. I might have only gotten a stern talking to, but that DEFINITELY could have an adverse effect should I decide to apply to be a cop again. Catch-22. Do what everyone else would have down here and I lose out one way or the other. That's why I'm wanting some tangible security measure. If he, or others, cut cables or chains to get what they want, I've got them where I want them. See, I still think like a cop! (Drives my wife nuts!)

The tractors will probably be chained up in any event as one, the Farmall, doesn't have an ignition switch on it. It doesn't even really have a place to hide a kill switch. I guess they didn't worry about tractor thieves too much in '49. The '63 Ford has a remedial ignition switch but It could easily be bypassed with just a short wire. Neat huh?

Take Care,
Mike

[swampgirl]

I've had trouble by my place also. Got so much equipment stolen, now have to keep my new tractor down the road at the deputy sheriff's house. I took a little dremel tool and clearly wrote my initials on all the equipment, even like the starters & alternators, because they steal those off if they can't get the whole thing. Still hope that this might at least prevent them from fencing the stuff.

[grannygardner]

Originally Posted by m39fan

He had a feasible story, the property is not posted and hadn't done anything definitively illegal yet (hotwiring the tractor, etc).

It makes no sense for the police to say that the guy hadn't done anything definitively illegal. Even if the guy had responded to a listing on ebay he obviously wasn't on the tractor that was listed. If he's really intent on buying a tractor he should find out how to tell the difference between a Ford and a Farmall. If he was the one that you had talked to he knew you wouldn't be available and had already dropped the ramp to the trailer. To me that shows definite intent.

[Windy in Kansas]

Hm, won't a tractor that is worth a darn be able to pull a lock apart as it drives off?

Won't a tractor that is worth a darn be able to pull a mobile home anchor from the ground, UNLESS as described with concrete around it?

[m39fan]

granny - Right or wrong, it all depends on your county prosecutor. He sets the tone for what cops will and won't mess with. In the county that I worked in as a Town Marshall, the prosecutor wouldn't have been real happy with anything stemming from this. Therefore, the cops would have kept his info for future reference in case he showed up elsewhere. There are NO grounds at this point to enable them to go search his property. The rule of thumb is reasonable doubt. This may or may not have flown. I can't prove that he was the one that called. I can't prove that he is one of the ones (or working with one of the ones) from eBay. Some of the neighbors also knew I was selling a tractor and have my #. The little old lady down the road doesn't know one tractor from another and would have just said I had a tractor for sale. I doubt it was a neighbor as they will usually let me know when they've given out my contact info. You and I agree that it looks suspicious and have no doubt to his intent. But if the prosecutor has been having a bad month (overturned cases) then the rank and file officers aren't going to want to potentially ruffle his feathers. That also doesn't address the fact that I'm concerned about local opinion here. As it stands, he has now been told by the property owner to not come back. IF he does: 1) he's and idiot and 2) he CAN be ticketed (misdemeanor) if not arrested depending on what he's doing. Stealing a tractor is grand theft (felony) and WILL result in an arrest. I'd rather have him cooling his heels in the jail than just mad because I caused him to get a ticket. Thus, I'm wanting to give him (or others) just enough rope to hang himself.

Hope it makes a little more sense (or at least that my reasoning does).

Take Care,
Mike

[ace admirer]

hmmm, in the country its too ramdom to be able to protect yourself 100%. dogs are ok for the easily discouraged. there isn't a dog made that a 22 semi won't fix in two seconds. a 10,000 winch or good bolt cutters will take care of all other attempts to protect your equipment. the guy is guilty,,,,if not of stealing your tractor,,,,of doing it to others,,, report and hound the police. put up camera's

i have old tractors,,,,nobody wants my junk....

sorry for the trouble,,,your timing was good, sure would have been more impressive if you had had some firepower with you,,,i would not have approached with out it.

[grannygardner]

Your view on this made sense all the time. I was just stating my opinion for what it's worth. I hate a thief, don't care if they're stealing a dime or a hundred dollars. If it's not yours, it's not yours.

[Clifford]

Locks were made to keep honest people honest. If someone want's to steal something bad enough, a lock will not stop them.

Looks like you may need to take a more firm stand on your place, instead of worrying what people will think. I understand the whole ministry thing, but are you supposed to be a victim and not protect yourself or your property?

[dcross]

What was his feasible story?

Sounds like you should have laid low till he was leaving with your tractor, and followed him with a cell phone.

[neolady]

Originally Posted by farmergirl

Hubby and I are considering getting a mastiff for this purpose. Do you know anything about the breed? Know anyone who has them? Would they fit in on a farm with other animals?

You need to be more specific - there are many breeds of mastiffs. You need to do your research on each breed to make your decision. I have neapolitan mastiffs and they have fit in well with the horses over the years, have minimal tolerance and are well known as personal guardians. All mastiffs are generally guardians of some type - and this does not mean necessariliy watchdogs and definitely not "junkyard" dogs. Mastiffs generally require copius amounts of human contact.

[mightybooboo]

A serious gate with a protected padlock.Large barking dogs. Motion lights.

I would have pointed my gun at him,that felon would know in no uncertain terms next time he will be shot and killed.

End of story. If I see you here again,no questions asked.All this would have been said AT GUNPOINT!

In a very loud and agitated manner.

I dont think the Sheriff would have had much problem with that either.You stopped a grand theft FELONY in progress.

BooBoo

[m39fan]

farmergirl - most people out here use Newfoundlands. Big, fearless and protective. The thing to remember is they're working dogs, not a pet. The people that own them all agree that human contact has to be kept to a minimum to bring out the desired traits. Keep them with the stock 24/7 and they'll guard the animals and area to the death if necessary.

ace admirer, Clifford - actually, that was part of the potential problem. I DID "make a stand and DID have firepower with me. My Glock was in plain sight on my hip. I did the verbal "shock and awe" that I always do with scumbags. No cursing but plenty of "promises" should the unwanted behavior happen again. He could have easily said he felt threatened (he should have) and that I used the pistola to do it (not true). All complaints such as that have to be investigated and could put my carry permit (or upcoming renewal) in jeopardy. If you meant that I should have gone gun in hand to great him, that is chargable. It's brandishing and is taboo in Indiana. Indiana law specifies that use of, or threats to use, deadly force is only justifiable when the person is in fear for their lives or impending bodily injury (or the same for a third party). So, if he was threatening myself or anyone else with great bodily harm or death I could go gun in hand. Use, or threat of use, of deadly force in defense of property is never justified under state law. That doesn't mean it doesn't even happen and that people don't get away with it, but would you want to take the risk? To compound the problem, we're trying to start a church in the area and I'm wanting to get back into law-enforcement. Neither areas would be accepting of someone perceived as "gun-happy". Stinks, but we're in a position where opinion could affect my career. He wasn't worth it. As it is, this little meth-head probably called all his friends to warn them of the new "crazy guy" in the area (right after changing his pants). The men in blue (and brown) now have his info and so if he's caught doing such things again, I can be called in to testify and help show a pattern. Better a nail in the coffin than a potentially a defenseless jobless person! Reality stinks, but that's the way I've seen it worked out time and time again.

Take Care,
Mike