Ethics on clearing neighbor's drive ways and private lane

[Regaj]

I'm more than happy to help my neighbors. It's the sense of entitlement that seems to emerge from a very few that's sometimes a bit annoying.

I take care of my own 1/4-mile gravel driveway. And then I take care of the neighboring 1/4-mile gravel lane which has four families living off it. Usually my ATV w/plow is enough. With the 30+ inches we got from Jonas, I had to use the front-end loader on the tractor. As everyone here knows, moving snow with a FEL is tedious work. It took me the better part of three days.

Most my neighbors are effusive in their thanks. We talk and laugh throughout the year and they're quick with a choice cold beverage or a hot dish or having the wife and I down for a cookout. Even that's not necessary, but it's nice to know they appreciate what you do for them.

The one family that irks me a little is the one with a 300' feeder driveway to get to that lane (the other three families live just off the lane). I end up doing his "special" driveway too. He waved at me while I was slowly working up to his house. But he hardly mentioned it otherwise. And, unlike all the other neighbors who were out with shovels digging out what they could, he did almost nothing. Waiting, apparently, for me to do it all.

I joked later with my wife that maybe he thinks I'm the contractor for the HOA (the joke being that there is no HOA).

There is also an additional stress that comes with plowing out a neighbor's property. Even with good equipment, it's not a given what will happen in dealing with a major snowstorm. If I get my tractor stuck on my driveway, it's an aggravation. It could remain stuck there for days and it is still just that... an aggravation. If it happens on my neighbors' lane, though, I now have an urgent sense of obligation to get it unstuck and not "block" them from getting out (assuming they could or might have someone else come and dig them out). And since I'm the only one around with a tractor - there is no bigger tractor to go get - that consideration is constantly with me while over there.

All that said, I would never not try and help. For the first 30 years we lived here, long before we had any proper equipment, my wife and I used shovels to dig out. All during that time there was a different neighbor altogether who lived down at the end of my driveway. Despite being only 80' from the road, he had a full size tractor which he used. Not once in all those years did he try and help us or anyone else out.

I never want to be that neighbor.

 

[paulfun9]

All that said, I would never not try and help. For the first 30 years we lived here, long before we had any proper equipment, my wife and I used shovels to dig out. All during that time there was a different neighbor altogether who lived down at the end of my driveway. Despite being only 80' from the road, he had a full size tractor which he used. Not once in all those years did he try and help us or anyone else out.

I never want to be that neighbor.

Did you ever ask for help?

 

[PILOON]

You can always look at it this way.

If your tractor breaks down clearing the neighbor's drive, will he help you fix it? or pay for the parts?
(kids do leave bikes and toys around, or worst, firewood delivery, or frozen bundle of newspaper; happens)

 

[Regaj]

Did you ever ask for help?

No. Some things are self-evident.

 

[PILOON]

You can always look at it this way.

If your tractor breaks down clearing the neighbor's drive, will he help you fix it? or pay for the parts?
(kids do leave bikes and toys around, or worst, firewood delivery, or frozen bundle of newspaper; happens)

 

[jlgurr]

No. Some things are self-evident.

Amen!

Sent from my iPhone 2.0 using TractorByNet

 

[Dftodd]

County only plows main roads here. They leave the secondary to melt on there own. I plow our road to the gate for the last house up to the road ours ties in to. With tree coverage, our road turns into a skating get rink for a week after a snow fall. I clean out my driveway and the old lady at the beginning of our street every storm. Ours are the only ones that are concrete. The rest of the driveways are gravel, and the kubota makes to much of a mess usually. The rest of the neighbors it really depends on the conditions and the storm.

The lady at the end of the road usually hooks me up with some sort of baked goods She makes the best dutch apple pies the rest of the neighbors is usually at least a thank you. Sometimes a gift card to a local restaurant, or help later on for one of my projects at the house. I usually at least clean out the end of there driveways after I plow, so they aren't trying to climb over an ice bank.

 

[Buggs67]

My neighbor (and friend) help each other out. When my plow broke I borrowed his (which then broke and I had to fix it). When my back went out he plowed for me and if he's at work I do his driveway. We also help another neighbor whose wife is disabled; he appreciates the help and demonstrates so.

After I'm done with my drive and helping my immediate neighbors out I plow the lake assn parking area and cruise the neighborhood to see if anyone needs assistance.

I don't plow if they aren't out there to give me the OK.

 

[Buggs67]

My neighbor (and friend) help each other out. When my plow broke I borrowed his (which then broke and I had to fix it). When my back went out he plowed for me and if he's at work I do his driveway. We also help another neighbor whose wife is disabled; he appreciates the help and demonstrates so.

After I'm done with my drive and helping my immediate neighbors out I plow the lake assn parking area and cruise the neighborhood to see if anyone needs assistance.

I don't plow if they aren't out there to give me the OK.

 

[rankrank1]

..... For the first 30 years we lived here, long before we had any proper equipment, my wife and I used shovels to dig out. All during that time there was a different neighbor altogether who lived down at the end of my driveway. Despite being only 80' from the road, he had a full size tractor which he used. Not once in all those years did he try and help us or anyone else out.

I never want to be that neighbor.

I have zero problem with the neighbor who had a tractor but did not help anyone. He made the sacrifices to buy his tractor so he can use it as much or as little as he wishes. Anyway you slice it buying a tractor and maintaining it is a financial sacrifice on a household budget for anyone short of a farmer or business who will actually make some money using it.

If others want that convenience of owning a tractor then let them sacrifice going out to dinner all the time, buying a new car every year, kids college fund, their retirement 401k payments, new household carpet and remodels, etc to buy their own tractor. (note: I am not saying it is a smart business decisions to skip some of these to buy a tractor because it is often not a smart business decision to skip your retirement contributions to buy a tractor that you really do not need but simply want).

If they do not want to do that then they should expect to be out there shoveling with their own back muscles and traditional manual shovels, alternatively hiring a pro service to do it at business level rates, hiring local kids to do it, or if they get lucky find a generous soul who is willing to do it for free for them (assuming the generous soul enjoys doing it).

I own several tractors I use for my needs. I bought them all for my enjoyment and to help me alone. Regardless, I had to make sacrifices elsewhere to buy them. Any side jobs I do with it are my choice alone and it has to be an enjoyment for me or otherwise I am not interested. I learned quick to put an hourly rate on what I will charge if I use my tractor. Cuts way down on the freeloaders looking for something for nothing.

My neighbor owns a backhoe for his enjoyment (not business). Is he obligated to come dig my holes cause I do not have a backhoe? Heck no. I dig my holes by hand with my sweat because my needs are not currently worth me owning a backhoe. f I have a bigger job then I expect I will to go to the rental yard and pay to rent a machine to do the job. If I have a really big job then I fully expect to pay to hire a pro to do it for me.

This entire thread has been enjoyable reading....