"Can borrow your tractor?"

[DT86]

Very few close friends and family would I even consider loaning to or even let use under my supervision. They all have their own tractors and equipment and figure if they can take care of theirs they'll do the same for mine.

I've been on the other end, borrowed a tractor while mine was down and ended up jerking his loader hoses out of the valve block under the cab. I was at the parts desk Monday morning and he was back in action that afternoon.

 

[s219]

I have had a couple people ask to borrow my 3-pt woodchipper to run on their tractors. Both times they'd need to buy a PTO shaft because mine was too long, and the ~ $100 cost was enough to deter them. One had the nerve to ask if my PTO shaft could be cut shorter! Yeah, sure, I will make it useless for myself so you don't have to spend $100.

In the process of requesting to borrow something, many folks will knock themselves right out of the running by being selfish/greedy/inconsiderate/stupid. I rarely have to say no because the potential borrower makes it obvious to both of us that they are not competent or worthy enough to be trusted.

On the other hand I offer to take my tractor to neighbors properties to help out with stuff like grading, culverts, putting in driveways, etc. I usually get beer in return and am happy. Several times I have caught neighbors in the act of busting their butts on a job that would be a lot easier/safer/faster with a tractor, and I ask if they want help. I remember what it was like before I had a tractor and can't stand to see someone else struggling without one.

 

[tcartwri]

My neighbor constantly offers his backhoe to me for various things... I always decline. I would find a way to break it...

 

[Ed of all trades]

I have a friend camping group that offered me the use of a bunch of scaffolding which I accepted and it worked great for my new addition on my house. He also let me use his sheet metal bender just out of the blue. I told him I was looking for a pole saw to buy and he just told me I would use his new Stihl pole saw and he said it was just sitting there anyway.

I declined because I understand how things can happen with saws. Fast forward to Thursday after checking out forums on what to buy I decided to buy a Stihl pole saw.

I took it home and showed my wife and she said, "You pain $650 for that. Are you nuts?" I told her it would pay for itself in no time.

She went away so I went to the edge of the woods and found a branch about 10" in diameter and 12' off the ground to practice on. I under cut it, top cut it half way through then went on the other side to finish it off. No sooner than I started cutting the branch came down and slammed the saw to the ground. It happened that fast. I bent the telescoping pole section on maybe a 30 deg bend. I took it to the house and bent it sort of straight but didn't work right.

After dinner I told my wife the saw had a vibration in the saw so I took it back to the dealer to fix it. I did not tell her what happened for very obvious reasons; she would rip my face off.

In hindsight I should have used my friends saw.

That is why i don't loan things. You bent yours so you should have used your friends? WOW. Ed

 

[stevevdw]

I just tell them my insurance will not cover accidents or issues that may occur with my tractor off my property. Even if you friend won't sue you their insurance company may to recover any claim they pay. My policy has a statement reserving their rights to recover a loss without my consent. I suspect this is common for that industry. If someone needs help I will come over and do it for free or politely decline. As soon as you accept payment there are legal implications. Too bad we have to worry about this stuff but it's the world we live in.

 

[C4Ranch]

I just tell them my insurance will not cover accidents or issues that may occur with my tractor off my property. Even if you friend won't sue you their insurance company may to recover any claim they pay. My policy has a statement reserving their rights to recover a loss without my consent. I suspect this is common for that industry. If someone needs help I will come over and do it for free or politely decline. As soon as you accept payment there are legal implications. Too bad we have to worry about this stuff but it's the world we live in.

Yes, very wise words and unfortunately this is very true. My PSA for everyone is to carefully consider your liability limits and look into umbrella. Even a no fault auto accident if you roll over a separate vehicle puts u in jeopardy. Sadly, I have experience here.

 

[Paystar]

Just keep a printed copy of that Iowa Farm Custom Rate Survey that someone posted on here a long time ago. As soon as you show them you need to get $55/hour or more, they won't bother you again, LOL.

 

[ovrszd]

BTW- their are some good folks out their, I have a new neighbor who asked what my thoughts are on getting yard drainage around his new to him home fixed, he has some really bad drainage problems that is allowing water into his basement, I showed him my drain arrangement around my house and figured that is what he needed. Next day, he is out digging around his house with a shovel and pick, I go over and ask to help him and he politely said no, he would get it done and did not want to burden anybody else, I told him no burden on me, so we dig hard for about 8 hours that day, he never complained once. We might have got 15' about 6' down dug in some really hard clay. The next day, I bring my shovel and pick over, the backhoe, he was concerned that he could not afford to pay me, I told him no money, just be a good neighbor. I finished the dig out that day, he seemed overwhelmed that someone would do that. His wife baked me some bread and painted a watercolor of me on my backhoe, hmm, better than money to me, good neighbors that do not believe you own them something...

I have a very good neighbor at my farm. We borrow each other's equipment including tractors all the time. I have no concerns about it and neither does he. Although that might be rare, it does exist as you explained in your situation.

 

[Code54]

S219 - "I remember what it was like before I had a tractor and can't stand to see someone else struggling without one."
Same here, ends up making me a lot of work every year..... LOL

 

[Zerk]

I'd dig the hole for them and have a couple of beers together afterwards. Neighbor building.

New tractor owner, I thought the way I would handle this is by saying I will do it for you.

There are some people that are stricter then me on here.