We were outside today and first think I knew DH is on the Massey Ferguson (small tractor) in the barn.. I tried to talk him off and couldn't so came in the house and called daughter who was at the Mall. She had me take the portable phone out there and she would try to distract him. By this time he had the tractor running but couldn't remember what else to do so he was getting down to talk to her and I slipped the keys out of the ignition. After talking to her he got the keys away from me and slipped them in his pocket. I thought that was the end of it. We went in the house and he forgot he had the key in his pocket and demanded them from me. I grabbed the phone and he chased me around furniture, which wasn't too hard because he can't go very fast. He was angry so I slipped out the door with my phone. He locked the door. I called grandson who then came over and like a normal 18 yr. old asked what he was to do. I had a key hid outside so he went in and told his grandpa he was over to do some work.

He is tired now and dozing in his recliner but he remembers about wanting the key but not that he still has it in his pocket. Daughter will be here soon and will figure out how to get the key and it will never again be left in the ignition. He never attempted to start the tractor last year. But, the urge is still there. He is very weak and I really don't think he could hurt me but I am going to keep one eye open. He was fine until he decided he wanted on the tractor.

Good idea. When I removed the key I accidently turned on the blinking caution lights so that may take care of the battery. It is sitting in the barn with all lights blinking. I have the outside doors locked so he can't go out. Another surprise. He doesn't remember about the deadbolt.

SIL disabled the tractor today. He got the key from DH yesterday with instructions to return it to him when finished and he did so today after having a duplicate made for him. He decided it would be better in this case to let him have the key but he cannot start anything.
All very mysterious and quiet. I didn't even see the transaction.

I'm nearly afraid to comment on this because the same thing might happen to me.
I do know that when they are determined..there's not much that can stop them.
Glad to hear that maybe your daugher and son-in-law can actually divert his attention etc. whew.. I've been locked out but not deliberately. DH thinks I'm 'not here' if I'm not in sight.. so he locked the doors for the night.. I was outside
walking the dog.. fortunately had extra key outside..
Our tractors have been rendered inoperable because DH has ruined them.
Our lawn mowers only work for one mowing and then they have to go back for repair. DH doesn't pay attention to obstacles and breaks blades and belts and whatever else is on a mower. Right now two mowers are in the shop and when they return.. they'll only last for one mowing round. We are paying huge repair bills just to keep DH happy on the mowers. It keeps him occupied..BUT at what cost, risk. etc.. Our challenge is that he is physically healthy and active. He's happy when he's 'working' outside..right now we're praying he has 'forgotten' that he wants to dig a pond with the bulldozer.. That is entirely too dangerous.

or if some neighbor kid needs money so you're going to pay him to do it, for HIS sake.

Judy, SIL purchased a item to install on our tractor to make it inoperable unless enabled. He said it was under $20.00. You might check and see if similar is available for your bulldozer. He can insert the key but it won't start. If you need more info. I can call SIL tomorrow. There should be a similar way you can do at least a riding lawnmower. If you have to leave him something at least a push mower would be less dangerous. You know your dh better than we do. The ideas above sound sensible if you can pull it off. Our Neuro told DH plain out he should not be using a mower/weedeater, etc. and until this week he hasn't challenged that order. I took my eyes off him and after he had mounted the tractor he became defensive and told me I was not going to tell him what not to do.

Right now I am trying to get rid of his pickup that is sitting in our garage. He was ready to sell it a couple weeks ago and I had it detailed and then he changed his mind. I have been letting it go but am going to try again later this week. He does not have a key and it has been over a year since he has driven a vehicle except for a golf cart on our property only. and by himself.

We were originally going to do the dummy key but SIL decided, under the circumstances we would be better to do the disable thing. He still has a key that will turn in the slot but the tractor won't do anything. It is farily simple for SIL to enable the tractor to run. With a dummy key it won't turn in the ignition. Will watch and see what happens.

Lois, you are really going through it right now! I am so sorry! I'm relieved that your SIL was able to resolve this issue for you! Hopefully, when it won't start, he'll fiddle with it for a while, then give up and come back inside!

Mowers are indeed very dangerous, and if you forget that the motor is running, feet and hands can disappear in seconds. I am in the lawn maintenance business, and these machines are extremely powerful, have high rpms on the blades, and when the safety interlocks don't work, it can be dangerous. I have seen people lose fingers because they tried to clear the blades while still running, people who ran into tree branches and fell of, with the mower still going strong. A dummy key does not usually work, because most keys are too generic, and a screwdriver will start it...The mowers can be suicidal if an alz patient forgets something.......