Borrow my tractor......

fishman · Dec 15, 2003

I have to tell you, I read the other thread regarding loaning out tractors and thought, Wow, I'm glad I don't know anybody around here so crass as to ask to borrow my tractor. Well I was wrong.

My newest neighbor sent his pregnant wife over (oh, she was carrying their other child too) to ask if he could "borrow my tractor for tomorrow". Previously, I had offered to help him clean up the horrendous mess he made by cutting down half the trees in his yard and leaving the tops lay, but that is another story. She asked it in a way that sounded like she was asking to borrow say, a cup of sugar or something.

Anyway, I was a bit stunned, but I remembered the advice I read here so I said I couldn't loan it out for liability reasons. Anyway, she said that's what she thought I'd say and she would go back down there and tell him. I said I'd be around on the weekend and that I could probably help with a small chore then. She said well maybe, but he really wanted to clean out the pig pens tomorrow. Pig poo!? On my tractor!? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif No way!

Actually, I've seen the guys "pig pen" and it's just some pallets nailed together. They're full of mucky water and stink to high heaven (don't ask me how I know) /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Seems he'd shoveled all of the poo from one pen to the other to make it easier to get to with the tractor, BEFORE sending her up to ask me to borrow it.

Did I mention this was the same guy that laughed at my tractor to my face the week before and said "Oh, I thought you had a real tractor like a big Case or something". He wasn't joking, he was serious. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Anyway, they haven't been up to the house now for about three weeks so I guess I must have ticked them off. Oh well.

JDgreen227 · Dec 15, 2003

Fishman,

If you have neighbors who laugh at your choice of tractor but still want to borrow it to clean up a pig pen I have to REALLY feel sorry for you. I can't imagine living near someone that inconsiderate and hope you will not let them borrow anything in the future, or offer to help. If they are ticked off at you it shows what kind of people they really are AND you can do without their kind.

cowboydoc · Dec 15, 2003

I don't think I'd ever loan anything to anyone who would send his pregnant wife with kid in tow to ask. Doesn't say much for his character.

dieselsmoke1 · Dec 15, 2003

Just to provide the rest of the story and show how cloudy the "borrow my tractor" issue can get, I had promised to help my friend with his project and time comes and I've got the funk. I think jwpinck said it best "**** I'm in a tight spot". Do you go back on your word to a friend because you are sick and can't participate while the piece he really needs sits parked in the garage, with or without you?

I couldn't do it.

Jeff396 · Dec 16, 2003

Do you go back on your word to a friend because you are sick and can't participate 

If you told him he could borrow your tractor then you don't go back on your word.

If you told him "you" would use your tractor to help him and you pulled up sick it's not the same thing. You wouldn't be going back on your word. Wouldn't be any different than if the tractor broke down and couldn't be used. Stuff happens!!

When they start making the payments I'll start feeling guilty about not being available when they need it. Until then, it's at my convenience. That's still gotta be better than the wheel barrow/shovel alternative. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Jeff

Junkman · Dec 16, 2003

( ..................... they haven't been up to the house now for about three weeks so I guess I must have ticked them off. Oh well. )

I think that you made better neighbors out of them!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

fishman · Dec 16, 2003

I think that you made better neighbors out of them!!!!!


/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Thanks Junkman, that's a good way to look at it!

fishman · Dec 16, 2003

JD and Cowboy,

Thanks for the support. Never had to deal with such inconsiderate neighbors. It's not like I haven't tried to be a good neighbor, but good grief. I could go on and on, but I don't want to highjack Diesel's thread.

Hopefully, there won't be enough problems to warrant starting my own thread. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Mdbarb's problems come to mind for some reason. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Docsknotinn · Dec 16, 2003

Sounds like you sure handled that one right. Personally I'd never loan my tractor, no way. I sure wouldnt loan it to any one who sent his wife, let alone a pregnant wife to do his light work. Good grief. I offer occasionally to help out others but even than can be a real pain if you damage your equipment hel;ping some one out you just didnt want to loan yopur tractor to.

Docsknotinn · Dec 16, 2003

Sounds like you sure handled that one right. Personally I'd never loan my tractor, no way. I sure wouldnt loan it to any one who sent his wife, let alone a pregnant wife to do his light work. Good grief. I offer occasionally to help out others but even than can be a real pain if you damage your equipment helping some one out you just didnt want to loan your tractor to.