Midlands January 2021
Machinery
Farm thefts prompt plea to ‘Lock up your 4x4s’ • Thieves target iconic Land Rovers • Traditional Defenders in demand • Criminal gangs scour countryside
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surge in thefts of Land Rover Defenders has prompted warnings for farmers to increase security measures as criminal gangs scour the countryside. Thefts of the iconic vehicles are back on the rise after a decrease from AprilJune. Land Rover ceased production of the traditional Defenders in 2016 – and thieves are now targeting the 4x4s for spare parts. NFU Mutual rural Affairs specialist Rebecca Davidson said: “Defenders continue to be a target for thieves and every week farmers and enthusiast owners are waking up to find their precious Land Rovers gone – or stripped of bonnets, doors and wings.” The cost Defender theft increased by 34% to £2.1m in 2019, according to NFU Mutual insurance claim figures. The level of thefts then dipped but over the past few months they have risen once again. Ms Davidson explained: “There’s
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Farmers are waking up to find their Land Rovers gone.
a burgeoning black market for parts, with many of these beloved classics getting dismantled in driveways and farmyards, or being whisked away to chop shops.” At least four Defender thefts a week were being reported to NFU Mutual in January 2020, with numbers falling to six per month from April to June. But thefts have risen sharply again and are heading back up to pre-Covid levels. Ms Davidson said NFU Mutual was warning people in the countryside to be on high alert. She added: “Trackers, alarms and storing vehicles out of sight have all been effective measures protecting these British icons.” First launched in 1948, Land Rovers have become a prized choice for classic vehicle owners – as well as still being used every day on farms across the country long after the last Defender rolled off the Solihull production line.
Vintage value NFU Mutual has insured thousands of Land Rover Defenders from the days when the first Series I models appeared in the nation’s fields. It is advising owners to use a mixture of physical security and sophisticated electronic measures to protect vehicles. “With prices of Series I models
Partnership helps streamline Trimble Agriculture support. See p38
TOP TIPS
VEHICLE SECURITY Keep the vehicle locked at all times when not in use Fit an accredited alarm for security and tracking device to your vehicle Fit a mechanical immobiliser such as a steering wheel or pedal lock Mark component parts using a forensic marking solution or system Keep the vehicle in a lockable building or park in well-lit areas Have the vehicle identification number etched on windows Consider fitting a hidden battery isolation or a fuel cut-off switch Take photographs of unusual features, modifications, damage or repairs Ensure valuables are removed from the vehicle Don’t share information about your vehicle on social media [Source: NFU Mutual]
soaring due to their vintage value, organised criminals are scouring farmyards and country properties to spot examples they can steal,” explained Ms Davidson. The insurer also works closely with the National Vehicle Intelligence Service (NaVCIS) – the national police unit that works to protect communities from vehicle finance fraud and associated serious and organised crime.
Wheel following for trailed sprayers
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Land Rover Defenders and older series vehicles are being stolen
uhn has introduced an automatic steering axle system as an option on its Metris 2 and Oceanis 2 trailed sprayers – enabling more precise driving and reducing crop damage. Fitting a machine with steering axle technology is usually a timeconsuming task, with brackets to make and the linkage to attach to the rear of the tractor. The Track Assist system replaces the mechanical connection with a gyroscopic sensor, which is fixed to the rear of the tractor with a magnet. Sensors detect the steering angle of
the tractor and the sprayer follows the tractor’s trajectory. Track Assist has an operating angle of 23º on the Metris 2 and 28º on the Oceanis 2. The system activates across a forward speed range from 2-22kph. This ensures efficacy working at the headlands and safety when in transport mode. The Track Assist system also realigns the sprayer with the tractor when reversing, to increase the ease of manoeuvrability. It is priced the same as a mechanical wheel following system for these Kuhn sprayers. JANUARY 2021 • MIDLAND FARMER 37
