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Any ideas for cheap antitheft system

08 Ford Roush

Active Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2015
Messages
28
Location
upstate NY
Hi all, been on here a few times with different questions, never got any responses though, hope someone has some ideas. Just bought a hardly used Takeuchi TB250 and was wondering if i could wire in a switch to the ground side of fuel pull off switch on the injection pump to act as a poor mans antitheft device. Would also like to hear of other ways i could do this . Thanks, Stephen
 

CM1995

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Joined
Jan 21, 2007
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13,375
Location
Alabama
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Running what I brung and taking what I win
I like battery disconnect switches, not bullet proof by any means but makes it harder to steal - makes them have to have 2 keys to start the machine.

Used something similar on the fuel pump solenoid on a Bobcat that the code panel quit working and we left it locked on - no need for a code to crank it. There is a wire quick connect to the fuel pump solenoid you could unplug and hide amongst the other wires. The machine would turn on but not crank.

IMO, anything that makes it more difficult or time consuming for a thief is a step in the right direction.

Oh yeah, Welcome to the Forums!:drinkup
 

Hardline

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Joined
Nov 29, 2009
Messages
340
Location
Waxahachie Texas
Occupation
Small business owner
If you have someone that is familiar with that machine then they will know how to easily bypass that with a jumper wire. Get a inline gas shut off valve from a dual fuel forklift. Install this in a place that is out of the way that can not be seen. Wire it in to a kill switch that is out of the way. If they get the machine started unless they figure out how to get fuel to the pump it won't go far enough to load. JJ.
 

08 Ford Roush

Active Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2015
Messages
28
Location
upstate NY
Thanks all for your ideas. I was told the fuel pump kill switch was not good because there might still be enough fuel in the system to get it on a trailer, then away she goes. I do have a battery disconnect switch on it but not a lot of places to hide it well and think it would be found rather quickly. Guess i'm just looking to keep the honest people honest as if they really want it they will find a way. I might look into the starter side of things not sure if there is a there is a starter solenoid with a wire that i could splice into. Thanks again all, Stephen
 

CM1995

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Running what I brung and taking what I win
Guess i'm just looking to keep the honest people honest as if they really want it they will find a way.

Yeah the thieves will, unfortunately that's what insurance is for..:(
 

08 Ford Roush

Active Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2015
Messages
28
Location
upstate NY
That is another problem my homeowners only covers the Tak on my property. I won't be using it in a business but if i use it at my daughters house it won't be covered. Guess i better start looking for that too:eek:
 

pajibson

Senior Member
Joined
May 29, 2013
Messages
312
Location
metro detroit
I've installed kill switches in a variety of places. Fuel solenoid circuits, fuel pump circuits & starter circuits are the most common. Put one in a park brake circuit once too. They could get it started but it wouldnt go anywhere was the theory on that one. I agree with the other comments though. If they really want it they'll get it. best bet is insurance.
 
Last edited:

melli

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2012
Messages
260
Location
BC
Pull the fuse that supplies power to the pump and keep it with the key.

Yeah, I used to take a fuel pump relay in the fuse panel...was a pain to unscrew lid to fuse panel, but at the time, I left my machine all alone on property for days...I thought I was devious, but maybe not.
My machine also came with a hidden toggle on starter (didn't notice it for a year)...that was a pain too, as I forgot if I flicked it, and I could never remember which way was on. :D
Wasted a lot of time...I couldn't even steal my own machine.
I think my greatest defence is the fact my driveway is an absolute nightmare for a flatdeck or trailer. One look at it, and I'm sure they will move on...
I always wanted to get a gps tracker...but feeding my dirt addiction is more important I guess. Nothing like getting 48 tons of dirt to play with...sunny weekend to boot...:notworthy
 

08 Ford Roush

Active Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2015
Messages
28
Location
upstate NY
Thanks all for your input. Guess i'll just put the old sign on her , i'm sure many of you have seen it , the one that says ......... THIS PROPERTY PROTECTED BY SMITH & WESSON 4 DAYS A WEEK , YOU GUESS WHICH 4:D
 

caterpillarmech

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Nov 7, 2011
Messages
533
Location
Florence Texas
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Field Service Supervisor
The starter solenoid signal wire is a good place to break it. Just put a remote toggle switch somewhere not so obvious. I have had many customers put some weird stuff in to keep there machine secure. They always flip when they arrive and I already have it running to work on it.
 

Scrub Puller

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Joined
Mar 29, 2009
Messages
3,481
Location
Gladstone Queensland Australia
Yair . . . In these days of inexpensive motion activated camera's are think there are a few options . . . I found a length of strategically placed 50 pound flexible trace wire with a 2/0 treble swaged on about every foot could give interesting results.

Cheers
 

joispoi

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Joined
Mar 1, 2008
Messages
1,284
Location
Connecticut
The starter solenoid signal wire is a good place to break it. Just put a remote toggle switch somewhere not so obvious. I have had many customers put some weird stuff in to keep there machine secure. They always flip when they arrive and I already have it running to work on it.

lol:notworthy
 

monster76

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Aug 14, 2013
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526
Location
Miami Fl
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Contractor
You want simple make a boom lock that would leave the arms all the way up in the air
 

Steve 650

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Joined
Mar 23, 2013
Messages
83
Location
Canada
a little hidden ball valve on the fuel line. They will be able to start and run untill filters empty, most of the time the machine is stuck just before getting on trailer. Trust me it really works fine.
 

ericscher

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Joined
Sep 12, 2014
Messages
196
Location
Central Ohio
My grandfather always said that nothing dissuades thieves quite like a rotting head mounted on a pike by the front gate.

Of course, he was from Romania, so your mileage may vary...
 

08 Ford Roush

Active Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2015
Messages
28
Location
upstate NY
Never tried the rotting head. Thinking that should work lol. Thanks again to all but keep those ideas coming maybe i'll use a few of them, if this old brain lets me remember them all LOl:drinkup
 

Randy88

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 2, 2009
Messages
2,149
Location
iowa
As small as it is, and since you don't have insurance when its away from home, how about loading it up and taking it home with you at the end of the day, then your insurance is good. Most smaller stuff we take home at night, its more of a hassle to try to secure it, than just to strap it down on a tag and tote it home, that way its ready to go in the morning, even if its back to the same job.
 

Queenslander

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Apr 5, 2009
Messages
1,248
Location
Australia
If you can't stop them stealing your gear, there are tracking systems that are getting cheaper by the day.
To be effective, I would think they would have to be well monitored.
Worked to perfection here recently when a landscaping business grew tired of losing large specialist mowers, so installed one of these systems.
Owner was alerted as soon as the thieves loaded a mower onto a trailer, and notified police.
Cops were able to intercept the thieves with a road block, which they tried to crash through.
A few shots through the windscreen quickly settled the matter.
After a lengthy stay in hospital the driver eventually had his day in court.
Cheers, Greg

http://www.news-mail.com.au/news/reports-man-shot-head-police-outer-brisbane/2426190/
 

The Learner

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Jul 22, 2012
Messages
200
Location
SE Victoria Australia
Occupation
Hydraulic specialist
i have seen a few different ones
you can wire up a press button switch somewhere in cabin that breaks the start wire from the ignition barrel
hide it on underside of seat, a panel or in plain sight using a quick hitch switch or something similar

wire up a relay from horn circuit so that to start machine u need to sound horn in order to contact the relay so that start signal can reach starter motor

another one is a joystick lock of some description
some hold left panel down (some machine dont start in such position)
some hold travel pedals in opposite direction and fill up cabin footwell
others link left and right joysticks together and block seat
or a more expensive solution is vandal covers over windows (cab machine) or over seat and console (rops machine)
 
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