Cheap and easy ways to stop machinery theft on farms

"I was alarmed to see the recent increase in thefts from farms," he writes.

"I understand the extra costs incurred by fitting a tracker are a bit counter productive so not many people actually fit them.

"I couldn’t help noticing the stolen JCB telehandler featured in the November issue was quite indistinguishable to any other of that model so would be very easy for the thief to remove its serial numbers and sell it again. Maybe if it had odd coloured wheels or the plastic trims had been boldly engraved with the owners postcode, this may have discouraged the thief enough to leave it and go and look for a more generic example that hadn't been individualized.

"I don't have any very valuable machines but have taken some measures to deface and individualize my equipment so it will hopefully discourage a potential thief.

"I have melted my postcode boldly into some of the plastic mouldings and engraved my postcode into each window with a little dremel multi tool. I also fitted a micro switch on a vehicle that stops fuel reaching the engine until switched on. These micro switches are tiny and can be hidden anywhere on the vehicle, only the owner or driver knows its location.

"My chainsaw is locked in a very heavy steel site safe that I bought second-hand at an auction and have lifted up onto the barn loft with a telehandler. I realise it's a bit of a faff having to run up a flight of stairs and unlock a cupboard every time I want to use my saw but it should improve its security tenfold.

"I have also melted my name and postcode into the plastic casings inside and out. I know it could be argued that marking and defacing a nice looking item devalues it somewhat, but when I have finished, it will be well worn out so doesn’t matter.

"I remember many years ago a plant hire company foreman telling me they had suffered constant and ongoing theft of machines from the roadworks overnight and it was costing them a fortune. They decided to spray the diggers a shocking lime green colour to deter theft. It worked and from that day they never had another digger taken.

"Yes, it reduces the re-sale value considerably - it also reduces the saleability - but that didn't bother the plant hire company as they considered that when they had finished it would be so worn, its vivid paint colour wouldn’t make a lot of difference.

Take care tilting the trailer (Image: The reader)

"As for trailers, quads and so on, locked gates and sheds, wheel clamps and locking hitches are also a bit of a faff - but it goes both ways as it's a bit of a faff for the thief too!

"On my trailer I have boldly sprayed my contact details on the underside, changed the wheel colours and put some stripes on it with a bright yellow line marker paint. I even drilled some holes in odd places and welded some brackets on to individualize it further. I’m not too bothered what it looks like if it stops a potential theft.

"Finally, a tip when lifting a trailer on its side - chain it around a strong section of chassis and at a central point so it will lift evenly and won't crunch the side marker light and use a strong wooden prop against it so that you are safe - I crunched my side light, oops!

"I hope this has been a bit helpful to you, folks - it is cheaper than CCTV and trackers, so hopefully will get done to more equipment in the future."