How to Pinch a Backhoe

Construction’s Billion Dollar Equipment Theft Problem

Kevin returned from a five-day business trip on the west coast. He made it to his Manhattan apartment late in the evening. He unlocked the door and felt for the light his apartment was empty. Every single possession was gone, even plumbing fixtures. He knocked on the next door down the hall to get help. The neighbor said he thought you moved the other day. The moving company was here Thursday. I even helped them move some of the boxes. Kevin STOOD IN THE DOORWAY stunned. He was wiped out. The movers were professional thieves posing as movers.

Sounds like an isolated incident. Look for the same strategy in other contexts. Construction equipment thefts follow the same storyline. A team comes to the job site, loads equipment, and drives off. You never see the equipment again. Conservative estimates put the loss at $300 million each year. Thefts of equipment can reach much higher. Some reports peg the loss at over a billion dollars.

·Only 25% of stolen construction equipment gets returned to the rightful owners

·Professional theft rings have their eye on your skid steer loaders and utility carts

·Construction equipment can be stolen from wherever it sits

Heavy equipment is a favorite target of thieves. Stolen parts are easy to resell. Prices on a new wheel or track loader can go well over $50,000. Thieves use stolen equipment on their projects. This is not a new problem and is not limited to a specific place. Construction equipment disappears from sites around the globe. It is as common in Saudi Arabia as it is in Texas or New York.

Jobsites, equipment dealers, and rental lots must protect their assets. Equipment owners protect their investments with fences, video cameras, and movement-sensitive lighting.

According to the NER list of Top Ten States for theft, 33% of theft occurs in five states. California, Florida, North Carolina, Texas, and Georgia are the hardest hit. While the NER gets theft reports from all fifty states, theft is higher where there is a lot of equipment. Professional theft rings go where the action is.

Construction equipment rental yards alter their business practices to deter thieves. Home Depot no longer has trailers loaded and ready to go. Also, chains are replaced with tire locks. The idea is to make it noisier and more difficult to get away undetected. When thieves see extra steps involved, they may think it is not worth the time and trouble.

Equipment registers

Using an equipment registry is an effective way to recover stolen equipment. Both CESAR and NP&ER give companies a chance at recovery when they register their equipment. NER, in the United States, registers equipment purchases and watches trends and statistics.

What gets stolen

Skid steer loaders are the number one target of thieves. Over the last 30 years or so, these loaders have grown in capabilities. There are many attachments available to make the skid steer versatile. This equipment is not only valuable, but it is also easy to transport. A thief can make off with this high-value target with a small truck or even a pickup. Replacing one of these can run well over $35,000. NER says it is the most often reported stolen.

Thieves are on the prowl. Equipment disappears at dealerships, rental yards, and worksites. Even while a unit is in transit.

Prized brands are John Deere, Kubota, Cat, Bobcat, and Polaris. Whether it is a utility cart, a skid steer, or a tractor, valuable equipment is sure to draw the attention of thieves.

Yard managers know positioning equipment while in storage protects their valuable investments. Position the smaller assets with larger making it harder to move in an attempt to thwart thieves. Construction job theft and vandalism cost the industry tens of millions of dollars.

Equipment theft is a crime of opportunity. Professional theft rings do not look to make off with heavy equipment only. Scrap metal, copper, lumber, drywall, and power tools, are also targeted.

Portable generators, forklifts, quads, trailers, excavators, and site dumpers, top the list. Selling stolen equipment is lucrative. Criminals are getting better organized as time goes on. Stolen equipment is sometimes used to commit other crimes. For instance, a backhoe was used to break into a building.

How to steal a backhoe

Whether it is a construction site, a storage area, or a rental yard, a theft ring gets a leg up with planning ahead. There are several signs to watch for. This must not be a one-person effort. Everyone on the team needs to be aware and involved. Teamwork, communication, and common sense can save the operation thousands of dollars.

Theft rings use a variation on the fake customer scenario. A thief could be posing as a delivery driver or customer. Sometimes the owner of the equipment knows the thief. He may have the authorization to be on-site.

Rental businesses are wise to establish the identity of that leasing equipment. Knowing what you are doing is a business imperative. Due diligence is a priority. Verify first, then trust. Personal identification, proof of insurance, or company papers to establish a working relationship. Thieves will not want to go that far into it. Thieves may move on to an easier target. Verify the intended worksite. Do not release valuable equipment headed to a fake site and then have items vanish.

Your equipment is the prize. Thieves like poor security on sites and in yards. Stolen equipment is easy to conceal or disguise. Very few think twice when they see a bulldozer going down the road. The visual does not sound the alarm! Depending on what pieces you have, prices can run into six figures. Backhoes, trailers, skid steers, small carts, attachments, and can cost up to $50,000 when new.

Stolen machines are a source of parts for the black market. In any case, professional theft rings love to steal heavy equipment. For a thief, is there anything better than an easy getaway with a high-value item?

Ownership of stolen equipment is not easy to prove. Many pieces are not registered like cars. Most do not come with anything more than a bill of sale or receipt. It is no different than buying a set of fry pans and proving they are yours a year later.

Getting the piece off the property is as easy as running over the security fence with the equipment. Thieves get easy access through open cabs with one size fits all keys. Thieves will remove or alter identifiers when they are present. Experts suggest new owners add number stamps as a way to differentiate a piece of equipment. Keeping accurate, up-to-date records is paramount.

What to watch for when no one is watching

Be on the lookout for unusual activity. There are dead giveaways that may tip you off that a crime is impending. Watch for an activity that looks out of place for the situation.

● Watch for trucks parked close by with logos that do not match up with the surroundings. This is especially true of rental trucks like u haul, a box van, or a race car hauler with a closed box.

● Watch for small groups of people who appear to be loitering in a vacant lot or parking area. Hanging out next to an equipment-filled yard after hours is a good indicator that it may be a target.

● Thefts soar over long weekends and holidays. If the activity looks unusual, it may be a theft in progress. Open gates when a facility is off closed for the day or weekend are a hint.

● Why is that truck in such a hurry? Look for overloaded rigs and half-secured loads. A legitimate haul will always match a rig with its load. A huge loader riding on a smaller rig is a red flag. It is also a danger to fellow motorists.

Preventing the theft of your equipment

Be aware that high value and low or no security are attractive to thieves. Securing your fleet will slow down or deter criminals. Keep accurate records of serial numbers and unique paint schemes. Photos and maintenance records can help you identify your gear later if a problem arises.

Secure your lot with motion detectors, cameras, and 24-hour surveillance. Hiring armed guards for holidays and long weekends will keep your equipment in place. Frequent false alarms may be thieves casing your lot and testing your security. Use tracking devices to locate stolen items. Know who you are dealing with Many thefts are by people known to the yard or company. Inside jobs are real. Stay up to date on security practices. Have a written job site security plan and be aware of recent thefts in your area.

Going forward

Fly the company colors! Everything in your yard should have some sort of identifying mark. Start with an inventory and keep it up to date. Develop a number system and a paint mark scheme and use it. Keep a log of marked pieces. Place an identifier in a hard to locate area. Mark larger pieces in a visible place and include a second mark where it is unlikely to get attention. Paint hand tools and add a logo.

A contractor I spoke to for this story grew tired of seeing his scaffolding in use on competitor sites. He decided to paint his scaffolds a horrifying lavender color. Since the colors stood out like a sore thumb, it was easy to spot someone using his supply on their projects. Unauthorized permanent borrowing stopped dead in its tracks. The coloring was an identifier and settled the argument. Do not hesitate to mark your inventory.

Thieves love stealth. With an open view from the road, patrol officers and passersby can and will spot unusual activity. If you are using armed guards over a three-day holiday, make sure to let the local police know they are armed and on the premises.

To sum up, equipment theft is not going away. High-value equipment that is easy to haul off and resell is an ideal target for thieves. Spotty security on job sites motivates bad operators to pay attention to your site. If there is a chance to convert stolen items into cash, equipment will continue to disappear.

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Douglas Pilarski is an award-winning writer & journalist based on the west coast. He writes about luxury goods, exotic cars, horology, tech, food, lifestyle, and workplace issues!

You’re welcome to share your thoughts or tell me your story. Email me here. [email protected]

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