Do you loan your tractor

[2manyrocks]

Ain't nobody asked and if asked, the answer would be NEGATIVE. I'd rather do it for them than have my tractor torn up.

 

[Abe460]

Let's see...

Loaned out large crawfish pot and burner. MIA

Loaned out lawnmower. had to go get it sitting out in the rain.

Loaned out truck. found upside down.

Never loaned tractor. broken, but I did it so I'll fix it. Plus I can't loose friendship with myself.

 

[Western]

I usually wont loan anything, they can't afford the interest.

But like many of you have said, I will offer to help with my equipment, especially if it's FUN

 

[warhammer]

The folks around my place all farm as their profession and work up to a couple thousand acres.

My DK45 is small compared to the large Deere's and Case's that seem to predominate in my area and I would be pretty surprised if one of them ever asked to borrow it.

I would not casually lend out my tractor or implements for a couple of reasons.

One is potential liability.

The other, to parpahrase 3rrl, is that this stuff gets used hard in the normal course of events. If I break it I won't be happy, but since the fault would be mine it gets chalked up to experience and I move on as best as possible. If someone else broke or damaged it the situation can become strained. I don't borrow things much for the same reasons.

For family or a good friend I would go along with the tractor and/or implements and help out.

Warhammer

I have always tried to be a good neighbor or friend. I have loaned my tractor out to neighbors, Son in law, sons and a few other friends. It seems that almost every time I have it comes back with another dent, some thing broken or missing. While I am not a very picky owner I do try and keep my equipment in good running shape. Over the past 5 years I have had this tractor (since new) it has returned with broken head lights, broken tail light, broken trailer lights, missing turn buckle, covered in mud and a few more dents.

I loaned it out yesterday with the PTO tiller and it returned with wire and other garbage wound up in the tiller tines. This friend always fills the tractor back up with fuel so I guess he did not notice the tiller.

While I still want to be the good neighbor it seems that when it comes to my tractor I will need to offer to do the work for them other than loan the tractor out.

 

[Cat_Driver]

I could go on and on about how my stuff came back but the one that sticks out the most was a friend borrowed a jeep I had and then I found out he took it through an off road area then brought it back EMPTY, filthy and then complained about the comfort in the jeep.

That was a good thing because it marked the last time I ever loaned anything to anyone.

I have several excused / reasons that work for me.

# 1 - Sorry I had to get a special insurance rider on this equipment and it states no loaning of this equipment or they will cancel my insurance.

#2 - Sorry I don't loan out my stuff because I want to keep you as a friend, and if you brought it back less than it is now we would stop being friends, and it's not worth it. What I will do is loan you some money if you need to get the same equipment at a rental store.

#3 - Sorry my liability insurance won't cover any loss if it's loaned.

#4 - I stop lending equipment , then I tell them the Jeep story.

 

[capi75rs]

I'd have to say it would depend on whos asking. My brother, never, he is a city boy even though we grew up on a farm. Certain neighbors, yes, they are farmers who take care of their equipment. Certain neighbors, NO, they are farmers who DON'T take care of their equipment. So I guess it depends on who you are. If they're on the no list then I'll let them borrow a tractor with driver if I have the time to help.

 

[framer]

I would rather do the work my self to.Been getting some good seat time with
that kind of thinking.I have loaned trailers and skid steer before to people
that have experience.Not much of a problem.Framer

 

[laen64]

I agree with Rob and KT. Now I know why my wonderful neighbor takes care of my property for me, instead of lending me his New Bota!

 

[vsteel]

Same as the rest, I don't loan out my tractor (or much of anything.) I just offer to do the work for them.

 

[PILOON]

I am the good samariton type and do loan stuff!

Always read out the rules first, reminding them that the item is to come back in the same shape as when it left.

However my experience has been that very few get a second 'loaner' from me.
Have seen everthing from bashed parts to 'I modified it to work better'!

On my tractor once (last time) I OK'd providing he trailored it to and back.
Days later I heard a machine howling along the road and the sound of gears grinding as he attempted to downshift 'on the run' while climbing a hill.

At my age my 'good loaner's list' is VERY short!

Also most often (and even year later) you end up having to retrieve your property as the elastic band is never long enough.