Battery Disconnect Switch

[Tarmy]

Nope no need when you remove the ground you remove the loop that kills it.

Thank you sir…

 

[mcmxi]

I've looked through both operator's manuals and WSMs for the MX and M and there are no special instructions for replacing a battery or disconnecting the terminals for either. The only warnings that pertain to batteries are the danger or acid burns, poisoning or shorting the terminals when loosening the nuts on the terminals. There's the standard "always disconnect the negative terminal first and install last" but nothing about any risk to the ECU.

I will continue to disconnect the batteries whenever and wherever I want without any concern re the ECUs. Everyone else can do what they want.

 

[JRHill]

A dog or two works well. We like Catahoula dogs as they have other uses than security. Honestly, this is their place and they just keep us around for their convenience.

Actually, the dogs are 7 years old now. The Wife told me last week that she found a breeder and bought a female pup. It'll be ready for pickup in 3 weeks. This will certainly work for winter entertainment value. Expect some pictures of our security system.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I've looked through both operator's manuals and WSMs for the MX and M and there are no special instructions for replacing a battery or disconnecting the terminals for either. The only warnings that pertain to batteries are the danger or acid burns, poisoning or shorting the terminals when loosening the nuts on the terminals. There's the standard "always disconnect the negative terminal first and install last" but nothing about any risk to the ECU.

I will continue to disconnect the batteries whenever and wherever I want without any concern re the ECUs. Everyone else can do what they want.

There was no "special" or "in manual" instructions to do this on any of them.
Like i said it's just a OOPS in the ECU/ ECM design of a certain limited number of Units.

 

[eserv]

There was no "special" or "in manual" instructions to do this on any of them.
Like i said it's just a OOPS in the ECU/ ECM design of a certain limited number of Units.

I think most of the ecm failures were due to low voltage from the batteries going dead or trying to start the tractor in very cold weather. I use a battery disconnect switch on my 1996 campervan both as a theft deterrent and to keep the battery from discharging during long periods when I'm not using the van. The battery being totally disconnected and then reconnected shouldn't be a problem. That said I'm not going to make any guarantee's! The problem on my van is the ecm has to relearn every time I reconnect but I eliminate the "lot-rot" problem and save my battery. Any lock or battery disconnect will only keep out the "honest" thief anyway, A determined thief will easily find a way around it

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I think most of the ecm failures were due to low voltage from the batteries going dead or trying to start the tractor in very cold weather. I use a battery disconnect switch on my 1996 campervan both as a theft deterrent and to keep the battery from discharging during long periods when I'm not using the van. The battery being totally disconnected and then reconnected shouldn't be a problem. That said I'm not going to make any guarantee's! The problem on my van is the ecm has to relearn every time I reconnect but I eliminate the "lot-rot" problem and save my battery. Any lock or battery disconnect will only keep out the "honest" thief anyway, A determined thief will easily find a way around it

Oh I totally agree, I think low voltage is more likely than anything else.

I've never personally had one fail on me, I've only dealt with the aftermath of one failing.

 

[eserv]

Oh I totally agree, I think low voltage is more likely than anything else.

I've never personally had one fail on me, I've only dealt with the aftermath of one failing.

I replaced 3 of them, all on L series tractors and all during cold weather and not plugged in.

 

[Brazos]

I haven’t checked back back in a few days and this thread totally took off. FWIW my tractor is a L2501 and mower a Z725. I like the idea of the fuel cut off. Pulling fuses isn’t a bad idea either and cheap. Where my equipment sits they won’t be getting a truck & trailer to it. They would have to drive it out the back way thru some terrain. I have no power down there so no WiFi, security cameras, etc. if I could afford to build a building I would have.

 

[Brazos]

I guess another option would be to mess with the seat safety switch. Someone else mention engaging the PTO. Throw that in for kicks. Maybe put a lockout-tag out tag on the steering wheel so when it won’t start they come to the conclusion it’s broke.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

remove a tire and rim ?

 

[JRHill]

Sometimes the easiest stuff is the most effective. So I still say dogs. But removing a tire is excellent.

 

[Moose7060]

How about a sticker that says "Sold and Serviced by Joe Smith"?

 

[JRHill]

How about a sticker that says "Sold and Serviced by Joe Smith"?

This is the stuff of a cultural Icon in these times: Repairs by Joe Smith. Security by Joe Smith. Cultural remediation by Joe Smith. Humor by Joe Smith.

Lastly for 2028, Joe Smith for President - Independent. We don't need no immigration laws, just melt them into the population. We don't need nukes. Just do Ace-Oxy balloons.

 

[mcmxi]

I have a Kubota tractor and zero turn mower. Here recently the land around me was sold and is a new housing development. Where I was once secure in the middle of nowhere where I am now dealing with houses being built along my fence lines. I am worried my tractor or mower will be stolen. I would like to prevent that or at least slow the stealing process down. I was thinking some sort of battery disconnect. I see some on Amazon with a remote key chain type deal. That would be ideal as long as that cheap chinese crap doesn‘t set my tractor on fire. Anyone have any ideas on the best way to achieve what I am trying to do?

How about a shipping container with a good lock? They were very expensive during Covid but now the prices for 20ft and 40ft containers have somewhat returned to normal.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

seacan is EASY to remove ( hint... it was put there...... )
Took driver less than 5 minutes to scoop up the 20footer next door....

 

[mcmxi]

seacan is EASY to remove ( hint... it was put there...... )
Took driver less than 5 minutes to scoop up the 20footer next door....

I don't think that there are a lot of thieves running around with the necessary equipment to load up and haul away a shipping container that has a tractor and mower inside. And if that's a concern, it'd be easy enough to anchor the container to the ground so that it couldn't be easily moved.

 

[JRHill]

I don't think that there are a lot of thieves running around with the necessary equipment to load up and haul away a shipping container that has a tractor and mower inside. And if that's a concern, it'd be easy enough to anchor the container to the ground so that it couldn't be easily moved.

Yup, it depends where you live. Like so many things, targets are selected for convenience and success.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

3 decades ago, thieves drove semi/trailer into clients building and removed 10s of 1,000s of $ of copper wire INCLUDING 3 phase to power the 10T overhead gantry cranes. done on a long weekend.
nobody saw nothing......