Assessing the latest locks, bolts and immobilisers for plant

Unlike contractors, hire companies have no influence on the security of a construction site and cannot guarantee a machine is parked in a secure container. For such owners, it makes sense to fit additional security to the machine itself to prevent it being removed from the site - and that means immobilisers, locks and bolts.

Preventing the machine being started (by immobilising the engine) or being moved by locking the tracks, stabilisers or the hydraulic system puts tremendous obstacles in the way of plant thieves. There are many systems on offer, ranging from severing an electrical circuit or two through the blocking of hydraulic pipes, to full fuel cut-off systems. Such systems have traditionally been left to the aftermarket, but immobilisers (with varying degrees of complexity) are increasingly becoming standard fitment with, perhaps, Komatsu leading the way.

Immobilisers

For Caterpillar buyers, immobilisers remain on the options list, while JCB is making them standard on UK machines.

JCB, which claims to build one in three of the machines sold in the UK, will use a system that isolates three electrical functions, such as the starter circuit, forward/reverse and fuel supply to the engine. Starting the machine is then a case of using a unique transponder key or a standard key and entering a PIN number in a key pad set in the instrument panel.

Fitment begins in November, starting with 2CX, 3CX, 4CX and Midi CX backhoe loaders, mini excavators and side-engined telehandlers.

The plethora of aftermarket systems are available for plant owners wanting to retrofit machines, but many wouldn't delay the experienced criminal for very long - a single interrupted circuit carrying battery voltage is easily bypassed.

Thatcham, the insurance industry's research establishment, has introduced a standard (category P2) for plant immobilisers, which have to cut both the electric circuits and fuel supply and must withstand attack for 15 minutes. Not all available systems have been tested, so currently there are only two (Kosran's ECV and the Garos system marketed by Thiefbeaters) that have passed muster to gain accreditation.

When evaluating an immobiliser, remember the chances of the operator of a hired machine diligently engaging the system every time he leaves the cab are zero. This is a particular problem for companies hiring self-drive plant because if the immobiliser does not set itself automatically, the chances are that it won't be it protecting the machines when the thieves come to call.

Coded tag

There is also the potential to extend the scope of immobilisation using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), whereby each operator is issued with a coded tag that is picked up by a reader in the cab. The tag can be programmed with the class of machine the individual is trained to operate, and a reader will recognise the appropriate category and allow the machine to start. If the operator does not have the appropriate training and category on the tag, the machine will not start.

Immobilisers, however good, can't stop a smaller machine being physically lifted on to a truck or into a container - that will take something more substantial and downright physical. And that means locks and bolts. Like immobilisers, they are only any use if the operator puts them on each night and weekend, but they are a very visible deterrent to thieves. They are equally visible to site managers checking everything is secure before signing off.

Securely chained

Those in the 'lock it up and nail it down' camp put forward a logical argument that a 3t excavator securely chained to a tower crane is far more difficult to steal, and less likely to disappear, than one left untethered. This is true - provided the operator remembers to chain it up at the end of the day. But with so much plant being hired on a non-operated basis, that can't be guaranteed.

Care must be taken when choosing locks, chains and the like to ensure the products are robust and the fastening can't be easily overcome with a battery-powered drill. They must also be used intelligently - chaining a compressor to a 1.5m-high post won't help a lot if the thieves use a Hiab. Allowing chains and locks to lay on the ground allows the criminals to sever them using a sledgehammer and chaining items to easily removed or destroyed anchors such as wooden posts and chain-link fencing is a complete waste of time.

And remember: chaining two items together means that both are available once a criminal has cut the chain.

Towed equipment such as compressors and generators are such easy targets, but a simple hitch lock makes life so much tougher for the villains. Equally, the bucket of an immobilised excavator placed over the towing hitch puts considerable difficulty in the way of thieves.

Lock deployment

Track and stabiliser locks can be deployed to prevent the likes of excavators, truck cranes and backhoe loaders going missing. To make things easier on a practical level, keyed alike padlocks are available but can suffer from the same potential shortcomings as common keys in plant - albeit not be on the same scale. Applying such considerations to each type of plant you own will bring an array of solutions suited to your needs.

Suppliers

Providers of locks, bolts and immobilisers listed:

• Al-ko: 01926818500
• C&J Supplies: 01529240774
• Enigma: 08448009926
• Lincmaster: 0152254484
• Kosran: 08707875687
• MC Plant Services (Protect-it Alarms): 01942323745
• Meck Lock: 08701903090
• Thiefbeaters: 08000833066
• TLD International: 01827262620
• Tramigo: 08456800869