Hi Alan, I used to look after the tractors at the local club and yep seen all of the above happen and more.

Some people use things and except the responsibility when things go wrong and others don’t and hide the results and damage and don’t tell anyone.

One thing I have seen makes a difference when it comes to tractors is have machines that are way over engineered for the purpose. Larger later model tractors with axle extensions to lift them up in the air so all the engines and electric’s are away out of the water. Dual wheel setups so they don’t get stuck and locking them into low/low gears so they can’t be driven faster than a crawl.

And the other thing that works really well is charging the tractor users a large fee for an annual key that can in some cases include a deposit to cover any unbudgeted maintenance, that can be refunded at the end of the year if all members look after the equipment properly.

Alan L wrote: Thanks KAndrew. So how does the key system work. I have pondered this and can't come up with a solution. What does the key give access to? I set up trickle chargers in our tractor shed - not so much for o/night charging - but weeks where they won't be used, winter etc. The plug in was in front of the steering wheel. And they drive out still connected. I painted it in dayglo. No difference. No one ever owned up of course. Regards Alan

they have to pay a deposit to get a key which could be say $500.00 for the year. The key gives them access to the shed and the same key starts one of the tractors. You can have it so if you have 2 tractors only one group of members get the key to tractor A and the other group of members get the key to the other tractor, then you can see who the bad drivers are. Refund some money back to the group that has the lowest maintenance costs and the other group will get the message.

Security cameras in the shed are another good way to keep an eye on things you’re see the guy’s who don’t look after things and don’t unplug the charger’s.

I’ve had trouble a work with staff driving forklifts and trucks damaging products, security cameras fixed that problem. I’ve got them everywhere, wireless ones that record back to a hardrive not expensive to setup.

Alan, our club has similar issues and share your frustration.
Our club has 2 tractors available for members to use and its a constant battle to get members to report any damage or issues with them. Our tractor shed is monitored with cameras both inside & out that record any activity for a month before being over written, so we are able to see just who used the tractors last. The committee has implemented a policy that if you damage any of the tractors without reporting it, you will be liable for any restitution for repairs and if they don’t pay they will be banned from using them until done so.
We charge members for keys and also change the keys every year to minimise keys getting copied but we are now looking at having one key that opens the shed & starts the tractors plus they will be security coded so they cannot be copied.
Tractor etiquette is that you launch the boat in front of you and retrieve the boat behind you, this works well most of the time. We have just spent 10K on doing one of the tractors up and the 2nd one is due this year.
These are our rules
Tractors are to be used carefully and responsibly and in compliance with the rules below. Should a breach of the rules occur, the member at fault will forfeit their key and the right to use the tractors and also compensate the club for any damage resulting from the breach.
•    You must be a full club member to purchase a tractor key.
•    Tractors are ONLY for the launching of FINANCIAL members boats.
•    The Driver of the tractor must be a financial member.
•    Don’t drive the tractor too deep, the front wheels axle should be above water.
•    Don’t lend your keys to anyone else or have a spare key cut.
•    No passengers to ride on the tractors.
•    Tractor drivers must have a full drivers licence.
•    Do not take the tractors across the state highway.
•    Tractors are not to be used for commercial purposes.
•    Report others you see abusing the tractors to the committee.
•    Report any problems with the tractors the club office or to a committee member.
•    The person getting the tractor out of the shed is to check the level of diesel in the fuel tank, report to the office if it is low, do not use if low – don’t run it out of fuel.
•    Tractors are an asset of YOUR club, please look after them.
•    Last person using them to put them away in the shed, if in doubt - put them away.
•    DO NOT LEAVE THEM OUT OVERNIGHT.
•    As a curtesy – launch the boat before you, and retrieve the boat after you.  
Should you have a problem with a tractor please contact the club office 06 8684756, straight away, don’t go fishing and worry about it later.

By paying the membership for and accepting the key you take full responsibility for the tractor, its operations and any situation that may arise while you operate the tractor. You are also aware of your responsibility to operate the tractor in a safe and responsible manor at all times and agree to abide by the tractor rules and any amendments that may be notified from time to time.
REMEMBER SAFETY FIRST, BE MINDFULL AND CONSIDERATE OF OTHER ROAD/RAMP USERS, WATCH OUT FOR CHILDREN.

You can buy better quality ignition switches but you won’t stop the guy’s who really don’t care.

That’s why I gave it away as well just had enough.