Loaning out tractor/implements

[George2615]

For years I loaned out tools, tractor, implements etc. The problem was I always forgot who I loaned things to (mainly tools) and never got them back. Now if I loan a tool I mark it down on a pad in my toolbox. I do loan implements to a few friends and they usually bring them back in a week or so. The tractor or other big ticket items I don't loan out but will usually offer to bring my tractor and do the job for them.

 

[looknlearn]

I'll only let my one brother drive my tractor. Other than that I don't let anyone else drive it. It helps that the clutch you practical have to stand on, the tractor pops out of the third gear and some times the engine needs some tuning 'on the fly'.
I am not set so in my ways to bend the rules a little for some special people who I trust but I haven't come across them yet.


I have had experience where the tools that came back had the some name but were conveniently swapped for a cheaper version or they don't come back at all. Never-the-less I still lend out garden tools to those without. If they don't come back, well, it's the price of loving and helping one another.

Tucker

 

[poldies4]

I let my brother drive my tractor, sometimes. He operates a skidsteer almost daily, so he's a little harder on it than I am. Other than that, I agree with everyone else, if they want/need the help they get me and the tractor, too much at stake.

Reminds me of a motorcycle ride with a buddy a few years ago. We were riding in a pit behind my house, and he rolled one of my bikes. After the dust settled, and I confirmed that he was ok I looked at the bent handlebars, and the 6 inch long crack in the rear fender. His respose as I restarted the engine was "at least nothing is broken". That was the last time he was invited over to go for a ride on my machine.

I work with a lot of different tools daily. I don't lend out anything that I use to make a living. However, my family and close friends have often won the tool lottery, and have been given nailers, compressors etc. I tend to upgrade, or by a tool that wasn't up to par. When the consistency of a tool goes away, It doesn't make sense to keep it as a pro, but my brother has a pretty decent set of my cast offs.

 

[Duffster]

Where I come from you share what you have with those who don't.

 

[Cat_Driver]

One word - LIABILITY.

If you want someone else to own your property lend them your equipment. Like others have said the insurance Shysters will come after you like a dog with a bone.

First question they will ask you in the jury box, "did you train your best friend on this equipment" - "well no I didn't" - " no further questions your Honor, please have him make out the deed to his property to my client"

Here's the line I always use, I can't loan out my equipment because my insurance man will drop me because I'm not covered, but I can pay to rent the equipment from a rental store. That offer has never been accepted. I stay the "good guy' by offering to pay, at the same time turning whoever asks down.

The last time I lent something to a "friend" he wanted to borrow my 4WD. He took it on a 4WD trail ALL DAY and brought it back empty and filthy then had the stones to complain that it had a rough ride. Oh, that was also the last day I saw that "friend"

 

[JJZ 109]

My policy is now that if the equipment goes out, I go with it. Depending on who it is, they may or may not pay "X" amount for the machine to leave my house plus "X" per hour for the operator (me).
Anyone not liking my policy can gladly visit the local equipment rental places and pony up. "Sorry" doesn't cut it if someone tears up machinery that costed me tens of thousands to purchase, especially a boom lift that I need for my business.

 

[Gordon Gould]

I hate to borrow and I hate to lend. But I have borrowed. But mostly if I want something I wait til I can afford it or do without. If I cant live without it then that is justification to get my own or rent it. I do lend some stuff, even though I hate to, and have been burned more than once. I would never loan my tractor or dump truck. If asked I offer to do it myself. Anyone capable of running my equipment already has their own.

 

[wdchyd]

Anyone capable of running my equipment already has their own.

That's a Good Point Gordon!!!!!!

 

[2458n]

Ran heavy equipment for a living. The boss had a policy if he caught you on another companies piece of equipment you were fired. It made sense because you did not know past maintance practices etc. Just moving a piece of equipment with a bad engine, clutch,tires or other problem could be expensive. That is way God made rental companies.

 

[Soundguy]

How many actually loan tractors or equipment to friends?

I'l loan my tractor an implements ( and tools ) out to any of my friends.. provided I go with them to operate them.

In other words.. I don't loan tools, machinery or the wife... ya never get them back in the same condition..

soundguy