GPS security device for tractor

[crsides]

I have a JD tractor that lives at my cabin about 3 hrs away from the house. I'm away a week or two at a time and constantly worried about someone stealing the tractor. Apparently one JD key will fit most any JD tractor. My BIL suggested I get a GPS tracting device mounted out of sight. Anyone have experience with one of these, know what to look out for?

thanks for your help.

Charlie

 

[bullmack]

SPOT Devices : SPOT Store

I use SPOT Trace units on several pieces of remote equipment. Never had to actually put them to real use in a theft. I did leave one on the top of my car once, forgot it, and drove away. Immediately upon realizing my mistake I started tracking it from my smart phone app. Someone had found it that was headed into the local park for a walk. Chased them all over the park but the tracking refreshes were a little slow. Eventually they returned home, I walked up and knocked on the door, and he handed me the unit.

Unit is slightly smaller than a pack of cigs. Can be run of AAA or hooked to you equipment battery. If you're using AAA it will report when there is a low battery and once every 24 hours it will send you an email stating that it is operating correctly and show the location. As with anything like this there is an annual fee for the service. Devices are pretty cheap and on sale.

 

[crsides]

I like what I'm hearing, except the annual fee thing.

thanks for the info.

 

[bullmack]

I like what I'm hearing, except the annual fee thing.

thanks for the info.

I know but something has to pay for the sat access, the cloud storage, and the software. It's pretty cheap tech if it recovers your stolen equipment and hopefully put someone in jail. I lost a $30K (new) tractor and $5K trailer before I started using these devices.

 

[bullmack]

One other thing I left out that could be important. The SPOT Trace units do not communicate very well through metal. Plastic is no problem. I have one device on an ATV that is in a remote location. ATV is in a locked shed that has a metal roof. Inside the shed it cannot get a signal but if it were stolen I would get messages as soon as the ATV moved outside. Another unit is on a tractor. The tractor has a plastic hood so no issues. Obviously they need to be placed in an inconspicuous location.

 

[GaryS]

Check LoJack and see if they make a unit that will work.

 

[billwill]

Insurance, game cams at several location on the drive and good neighbors. How about a camera in the house looking out at the shed or one of those old steering wheel bar lock things.

Find a spot to put some ID type markings or paint it that gol..awful NC Carolina Blue. That would stand out in Hokie country! If you have a long drive somebody or the cam will notice.

 

[bullmack]

Insurance, game cams at several location on the drive and good neighbors. How about a camera in the house looking out at the shed or one of those old steering wheel bar lock things.

Find a spot to put some ID type markings or paint it that gol..awful NC Carolina Blue. That would stand out in Hokie country! If you have a long drive somebody or the cam will notice.

This can all be considered but - my equipment was inside a gated community. The perps used their beater truck to smash through the gate and were captured on video. Sheriff's (in my opinion) didn't work it very hard. Tractor recovered a year later by accident and, yes, they drove it like they stole it. Trailer never recovered. With the SPOT tracking device that I now have LEO's can follow it to wherever they bring it (so can I). I also now have 5 game cams setup. Lots of nice critter shots so far. Hope it stays that way!

 

[Arik]

We used to use them on cars. They work fine except......

1) it costs money to track
2) it drains the battery. Signal has to come from some source of power and once that's done no more signal. Doesn't count on daily driven vehicles since the battery charges. But sitting for a month it may drain the battery
3) in your case someone can steel and unplug the battery. Unlikely but can happen

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[Memphis]

This post really interests me. I have recently (since June) acquired my dream acreage. 86.25 acres within an hour of my home here in Memphis. I will be eventually stationing a tractor and maybe a 4 wheeler or two on that property. I WILL be investing in some form of video monitoring. I also was wondering if there were devices that one could attach (inconspicously) on property that would track it without basically having to pay a monthly cellphone-like bill for the service. As stated above, obviously I'd have to pay something monthly or yearly. But I'll not be able to be at that property even once a week. The neighbors are quality but I want security. I'd like to be able to view in real time a live shot of my property on my cellphone. I guess I really just need to get educated on what's out there. Right now I'm just ecstatic on having this much acreage of God's country.

Merry Christmas!!

Roger

 

[krallstar]

Lojack

Check LoJack and see if they make a unit that will work.

When i worked for them we installed a unit called a ruggedized unit. Comes with its own backup battery. Install blended in to look like factory.

 

[Retired LTC USAR]

What about installing a hidden switch that disconnects the power from the ignition?

 

[eveled]

Milwaukee tools, makes a tracker that can be attached to anything. Has its own batteries. Says it will last a year.

 

[bullmack]

Milwaukee tools, makes a tracker that can be attached to anything. Has its own batteries. Says it will last a year.

The Milwaukee device is bluetooth and only has a tracking range of 100'. It's a different (ruggedized) version of Tile and other similar devices. Other then lost devices in your own home they essentially rely upon lots of people using their app and looking for you device should they happen to be in range.

 

[oldbrownhat]

A bit of old-fashioned gear wouldn't hurt, either- some ABUS hardened chain and a suitable lock around the wheels. Then there's FithOps perimeter alarm bangers...

 

[bullmack]

There's no "one-size-fits-all" answer for the OP's question but he did specifically ask about GPS. A person's final choice depends on other security options, comfort level that theft is unlikely, and their $$$ pain threshhold. What's it worth to secure $25-50K in your equipment?

Another option is Revelco. I have one of their units installed on my tractor. The Revelco unit only makes it impossible to start the equipment. If they can winch it on a trailer - you're screwed. They are a one-time install charge similar to LowJack.

 

[bullmack]

A bit of old-fashioned gear wouldn't hurt, either- some ABUS hardened chain and a suitable lock around the wheels. Then there's FithOps perimeter alarm bangers...

Everything helps. My equipment and property had 7 padlocks that were cut to steal the equipment. They were "higher end" masterlock padlocks - there are other really expensive padlocks that probably would have helped.

 

[oldbrownhat]

Everything helps. My equipment and property had 7 padlocks that were cut to steal the equipment. They were "higher end" masterlock padlocks - there are other really expensive padlocks that probably would have helped.

Yep... now that there are good battery-powered angle grinders, even hard chain will only slow 'em down a little. . Reliable electronics (GOS, trail cams) is the way to go.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Me, I'd ask the guy I buy my insurance from. I suspect these guys know a lot about tracking devices, etc to recover stolen insured property and can probably steer you to a good reliable one. Might even get a break in premiums for installing one.