Do you grease/maintain borrowed equipment?

[LHF2019]

Yes. And if possible try to return in better condition than how I received it

 

[WranglerX]

My dad always told me when returning something borrowed it was to be cleaned and in good working order (yes greased) ... IF I broke it I was to repair it, if it could not be repaired, replace it..... philosophy has always worked well for me....

 

[hodge]

I don't borrow, so it isn't a topic of discussion for me. However, if I did, I would discuss it with them prior to use. Would you like me to service it? What do you want me to use? If not (I understand and respect why someone would want to do it themselves), can I give you some money for the supplies? My goal would be to respect their perspective and their property.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

I borrowed a tractor with backhoe once. Used 30 minutes, washed and returned. I'll never borrow again, unless he's operating. He borrowed my tractor, same time. I gave instructions on running, specfically the 3ph, as there is an issue if raised to max. It whines as pump is struggling to keep lifting. I showed him what it sounded like etc. Even put marks on panel for max height. Got it back and 3ph was all the way up and whining. He didn't hear it. Not sure that was the start of pump issues, but...
Borrowed another friends wood splitter, washed and changed oil. Next time I washed and changed hydraulic filter. I'll buy a new splitter for me next time.

 

[JasperFrank]

Yes, but it is always a strange conversation afterwards. Cause tire pressures were low, fluids were low, things were off, fasteners were loose or missing, etc. You don't want to be saying to the owner, of the thing you borrowed, that it was in a bad state. And really, if someone in lending equipment, its You, that is going to use it, so things have to be up to maintenance spec. So you look around and do maintenance stuff to it, before you use it. I don't borrow or lend out anything any more, or borrow. Too many crazy stories on that.

 

[duffer]

I try to be a good neighbor. I'll always help people out in times of need, even if they don't ask. But unfortunately, every time I loan a tool or equipment out, it costs me money. Last time I loaned my tractor to a neighbor who's Kubota tranny went out, and when he brought it back, he rammed my garage door with the ROPS and it came crashing down. Didn't even offer to pay for it. Cost me a grand.

Now...I won't loan out equipment to anybody but one guy who is the best mechanic I know and has more "stuff" than I do. And even then, I usually go down to his place and do it for him.

 

[RjCorazza]

...Last time I loaned my tractor to a neighbor who's Kubota tranny went out, and when he brought it back, he rammed my garage door with the ROPS and it came crashing down. Didn't even offer to pay for it. Cost me a grand.

Some people can break an anvil. I can see someone ramming a garage door with the rops, but not paying for the damage is real telling.

 

[AntiqueIron]

I do, so long as I know I'm not going to inadvertantly screw something up. (I'd probably inquire about grease beforehand, in this instance.) Way I see it- a person's property is an extension of themself. If you disrespect their stuff, you disrespect them.

Leave it better than you found it, is a motto I find good.

In the past when I've borrowed a brush hog, it went back with preexisting scratches touched up, greased, and clean.

I find it's easy to get permission to borrow stuff when the expectation is that they will be treated with the same care and respect I show my own.

Just my .02

 

[5030]

Only thing I borrow is my wife's Suburban but then I pay for it's upkeep anyway (at the dealer) because it's way too complex for my backyard mechanic's mentality.

I have borrowed my good friends Cat D6 dozer in the past but my 'borrower fee' was always a full service on it. She's a monster dozer. No cab however and it's a twin stick old gal. Problem is, when I borrow it, he has to have it delivered as I have no way to haul a 60,000 pound machine. Pony motor as well. Just the ticket for high level suburban renewal. He also has a midi-ex I've borrowed. Same deal.

I'm always touchy about loaning any of my equipment to anyone simply because mot people are very lax about how they treat equipment when it's not theirs.

He's borrowed my engine drive welder in the past and has brought projects over to the shop he wanted TIG welded and I let him do the welding himself. He's a certified nuclear welder so he can do it better than I could ever dream of doing. It's a joy to watch him at work. A true craftsman.

Hope everyone had a pleasant Memorial day. We did.

 

[5030]

The ONE thing I never loan out, no exceptions, are my guns. Don't even consider it.