Ram Lock stops thieves

Preventing plant and equipment theft is now a major concern and a whole new market is being developed to combat the would-be thieves. For one company the question of how to best safeguard its machines requires no further deliberation.

West Sussex-based plant hirer and contractor, Charles Muddle Ltd chose, after considered and lengthy evaluation, to protect its fleet of five backhoe loaders with the TLD Ram Lock system. It was not too long before the company's decision was vindicated.

While on hire to Sussex County Council, it was only the Ram Lock that prevented one of Muddle's MF 750 backhoes from being stolen during the night. Judging by the state in which the Ram Lock was found the following morning, the thieves had come fully prepared.

According to company director, Stuart Muddle: 'The Ram Lock had been butchered. It looked as though they had taken to it with sledge hammer and chisels, yet it remained in place and fully effective. There is no doubt that without the Ram Lock, the machine would now be either out of the country or stripped for parts.'

Backhoes are one of the most popular targets for thieves since they can be easily removed from sites and also command high prices on the open market.

Muddle has a fleet of 30 machines and has a turnover approaching œ1 million and is well aware that the loss of just one machine would make a sizeable dent in company profitability. 'It was one of the wisest investment decisions we have ever made.'

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