German contracting firm Bünger-Lang has developed an anti-theft device to help secure StarFire GPS receivers on a cab roof. It’s fairly straightforward to fit, too, as we found out when we travelled to the inventors for a closer look.
Unfortunately, thefts of GPS receivers, not only from tractors but also from self-propelled foragers and combines, happen time and time again. John Deere’s StarFire 6000 seems to be particularly popular with thieves despite the possible PIN code protection and factory locking solution. In the recent past, Hanover-based contracting firm Bünger-Lang has had over 15 receivers stolen, plus a number of displays. The brazen thieves even broke into the locked machinery shed to steal the units from parked tractors. In total, these thefts have cost the business almost €200,000.
While there is always the challenge of finding a replacement at short notice, there is also the question of who pays for all the damage and to what extent. Thankfully, the insurance company settled the majority of the damage, but the contracting firm cautions to check your policy, to ensure not only the hardware is covered but also the device-based software such as additional unlocked licences. These are often difficult to deactivate after the theft and to transfer to the new replacement.
The insurance company may want to know why the system was not removed at the end of the working day or if additional security measures were taken.
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