Equipment Today...
Each manufacturer has its own ignition key system but uses a "construction key" for convenience - making all of them keyed alike. Therefore, contractors, rental stores, and dealers do not have to fumble with different keys when dealing with individual equipment. Anybody who has operated or has had access to heavy equipment could have a key that will run any machine from that same manufacturer! Since the machines are typically left on-site and unguarded, they are easily stolen. Additionally, they are not required by law to have a title or visible identification. To a thief, these machines are easy to resell and very profitable, therefore, very hard to pass up
...until NOW!