1. Home
  2. Equipment
  3. Bobcat Digital Products
  4. Machine IQ Telematics
  5. Case Studies
  6. Stolen Bobcat E26 Recovered in 48 Hours (Best Line Equipment)
Case Studies

Machine IQ Recovers Stolen Bobcat E26 Excavator in 48 Hours

When Bill Baxter’s Bobcat E26 compact excavator was stolen from his secured yard, Machine IQ’s GPS system was the deciding factor between getting back to work and total loss. Despite the thieves’ attempts to disable machine tracking by disconnecting the battery, the telematic unit remained operational, providing crucial location pings that allowed his servicing dealer, Best Line Equipment and law enforcement to locate, recover, and restore the machine. 

Stolen from a Side Hustle

Bill Baxter took a significant personal risk investing in the E26 compact excavator. 

“It takes a lot of nerve to spend the money to buy it, since it was just for side work in the first place,” he recalls.

So when he returned to the yard after the long Memorial Day weekend to discover the machine - with barely 100 hours on the meter - was gone, you can imagine his reaction: “My heart sank to the pit of my stomach” he said. As if the situation wasn’t bad enough, the thieves had also disappeared with attachments borrowed from his full-time employer, ratcheting up the stakes for a swift recovery. 

Telematics Tips the Scales for Recovery 

Once Baxter discovered his machine was stolen, he immediately called his servicing dealer. Because Machine IQ provides near real-time insights to equipment location for both dealer and customer, GPS coordinates were extracted within hours and relayed to law enforcement. After a brief investigation, the authorities discovered the excavator in a forested area concealed by pallets and branches. Although the thieves were able to remove some components, they abandoned the machine before major damage had been done, and Baxter was able to return to work in short order. 

The Time for Protection is Now

In today’s jobsites, equipment security is no longer optional. Opportunistic insiders and criminal organizations target high-value equipment like Baxter’s E26 every day. That’s why it’s critical that you protect your investment with Machine IQ.

Ask your dealer about Machine IQ's advanced security features that deliver peace of mind and ensure you stay in the drivers' seat.

Download Case Study 

Do you find this case study useful? Unlock its full potential by downloading the PDF document to easily print and share. 

Download Case Study

 

Related Case Studies

View All Case Studies
View All Case Studies