Any ideas for cheap antitheft system

Thanks all for more great ideas. When i get it into the shop to service it i'll take a good look and probably put 2 or more switches or cut-out devices on it.It's great to know there are a lot of helpful folks here ,Thanks again, Stephen

Queenslander said:

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/

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I wish every machine came with a tracking device. It's one thing to stop them from stealing it but it's even more satisfying to make them pay for the crime one way or another.

Make a switch panel with about 6 switches all wired in a series with some turned so up is on and some so down it on amd make kind of a combination lock lol most will get in and see all the switches and not know what they are all for or which way is on or off. Some will think they are for extra lighting or something

Thanks 1466IH i did that once and then had a brain fart and forgot which needed to be up or down. Then i made a cheat sheet and forgot were i put it.Old age has that effect i guess

This has become a serious issue in our "enlightened society". Secrecy is a thief's ally. Several years ago we installed a home security system due to a rash of burglaries in the neighborhood, and having a machine shop in a building behind our home. This system had a local alarm that screamed about a burglary, in a voice that would make you liable for the poor thief's death. A combo of sound and flashing lights may derail any attempts to pilfer your machinery.
If thieves are not becoming extinct, why do they have a closed season to allow further breeding?

Trip wire flare

Wire a GOOD fence charger from your daughter's house, to the machine. With 10kv, it is hard to touch or disconnect. I no longer have raccoons living in my tool shed.

Pulling key fuse

buckfever said:

Pull the fuse that supplies power to the pump and keep it with the key.

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I tried this on my one year old JD Tractor. It was blocking a wagon someone had stored in my shed. Guy called JD dealer and they walked him to the fuse on a tractor that was not his, over the phone! I come home find my $80K tractor not where I left it! Smart guy no longer had free shed storage!

I just got done servicing the Tak. I installed 3 remote switches and scattered them about the machine. Tied them into 2 different circuits. Might not completely stop them but it sure will slow them down.Thanks to all for your great ideas

Vandalism was an issue for us. We repurposed a steel fuel tank from a gas station job and cut a door into it big enough to drive the JD 350 into after work. Used road base to make a flat bottom then added shelving along the sides for storing supplies. The door was secured with powder magazine type lock boxes. The tank could be moved with the same trailer as the 350. Ended the problem, but needed better ventilation for the early morning start-ups.

I know some who use the cargo box type trailers like is used to ship from China to the USA for equipment that will fit in them. I have found a slightly misadjusted safety switch is simple and works especially in a system that has a few (tractor). Was told a few months back the newer machines at least many do have GPS devices to the point they are now stealing the older machines since they do not. Price your insurance carefully, check and see if you can add to your homeowners if so probably lowest cost option as a extra rider or endorsement. Along this line there is small subdivision about a mile from me a min was stolen in daylight why the owners crew was in there working. It was even seen being loaded as they first went to the one that would not start and then to the one that would...paying attention is one of the best preventions.