Fair Rate for Tractor Usage

[bill747]

A friend loaned me his 45 HP Tafe tractor with loader and chipper. I used the tractor for 1.5 days to chip brush and move some firewood and put 9 hours hours on the tractor.

Of course I returned the tractor full of diesel and cleaned everything but what should I pay for the tractor use?

The best part is that after watching me use the tractor, my wife decieded that I needed a tractor with loader more than she needs a new car.

 

[Buck]

RE: "The best part is that after watching me use the tractor, my wife decieded that I needed a tractor with loader more than she needs a new car. "

You owe him a sales commission.

 

[KiotiJohn]

If you feel you need to pay for the use, check with a local rental company to find out how much a similar tractor rents for per day and go from there. You must be good neighbors, or the man would not have "loaned" you his tractor. It's not something I recommend anyway, so you be the judge on how much it was worth to you. How much would you have had to pay someone else to come in and do the work you did with your friend's tractor? I suspect he's going to say, "Oh that's ok, maybe I'll need your help some day." John

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( A friend loaned me his 45 HP Tafe tractor)</font>
What is a "Tafe", I haven't heard of this brand. Have I been under a bush that long?

You owe him, plus a sales commission. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

My buddies wife loves it when her man is up on the "big tractor". Does something a bit funny to her.

 

[GerardC]

My first thoughts were as John stated. You can find out and make him the offer or you could maybe buy him something for his tractor or them as a couple (if he's married). Gifts, whether monetary or tangible, come from thoughts and that is what he did for you. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Inspector507]

TAFE tractors

 

[bill747]

Kyle

The Tafe is an imported copy of a Massey Ferguson 243. The owner has basically declined payment but I beleive I will offer $100 and take it from there.

Bill

 

[surfran]

If it were me and he declined payment, I would get a gift of some sort as mentioned above. I wouldn't want to offend him if he already said no to money.

 

[755inNY]

<font color="blue"> The best part is that after watching me use the tractor, my wife decieded that I needed a tractor with loader more than she needs a new car.
</font>

Priceless!
/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Gatorboy]

If he is your friend, I'm sure he loaned it to you not expecting anything in return. So, what I would do to show my gratitude would be to get him a gift. Depending on what kind of a guy he is, here is some suggestions:

- Bottle of Booker's Whiskey
- Box of cigars
- Some steaks from Omaha Steaks
- Gift certificate to a nice local restaurant

I think a gift instead of cash shows your appreciation for his kindness much better.

 

[lablovers]

Rather than money, I tend to think that a dinner at one of the finer resturants, would be a nice gift. If no money was discussed prior, I doubt he will accept. I know I wouldn't. In my opinion, you did what I would expect. That is a full tank and a clean tractor. Based on the fact he has given your wife reason to believe you need a tractor, a cruise might be in order. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[AndyMA]

Bill

I know you came up with this number later, but I was going to suggest the $100 number. Just tell him it's to cover sharpening a set of chipper blades (or new blades) and to go to tractor maintaince. If you figure it out the $100 would just about cover his out of pocket expenses for 1.5 days use w/ blade dulling. And besides when he thinks of it he'll be inclined to let you use it again.

Andy

 

[smilingreen]

Hey, if he still declines the money, and it is really burning a hole in your pocket, here's my mailing address.......... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[JimR]

You should not need to ask this question. Take the couple out to eat at your expense to the finest restaurant around. It would be much cheaper than what it would have cost you to rent a tractor for that amount of time. If your neighbor fusses about the check, let him pay the tip. I always repaid my neighbor for his tractor lending one way or another. Now I miss him as he has moved back to his home state.

 

[SCDolphin]

It cost me 225/day to rent a kubota 3130 with fel, box blade and trailer to haul it in SC

 

[ljh2]

I like Gatorboy's thinking... hmmm I just may have to lend him something. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( If he is your friend, I'm sure he loaned it to you not expecting anything in return. So, what I would do to show my gratitude would be to get him a gift. Depending on what kind of a guy he is, here is some suggestions:

- Bottle of Booker's Whiskey
- Box of cigars
- Some steaks from Omaha Steaks
- Gift certificate to a nice local restaurant

I think a gift instead of cash shows your appreciation for his kindness much better. )</font>

 

[keeney]

I find it is much more valuable if the person who borrows the tool actually does something to maintain the equipment. The cash is nice, but I am still the one who (theoretically in the above example) would have to take the time to go get the chipper sharpened, buy new blades, whatever.

A buddy of mine recently borrowed my utlity trailer. When he came to pick it up, I noticed/remembered that the lighting connector had a broken pin that I had neglected to fix for a while.

He said "no problem, I can put a new connector on". I think the part was worth about $12. I think his actually taking the time to repair my stuff for me was priceless.

Beer is acceptable payment for borrowing most of my stuff. I would think it would have to be a very nice piece of equipment to get up into the fine Whisky, Cigar, or Steak dinner level.

- Rick

 

[frank_f15]

Why not just get him a gift cert. to a nice restaurant or something like that? makes him know u are grateful, but he won't feel like he is taking $$$$. makes folks feel good to know their good deeds are appreciated.

 

[bcarter]

<font color="blue"> Why not just get him a gift cert. to a nice restaurant or something like that? </font>

A friend of mine did exactly that...

I did some excavating work for him (he rented the equipment and I ran it for him). Took about 2 and a half days of time and he wanted to pay me but I had way to much fun to take any money from him. He ended up giving me a gift certificate for dinner, which made him feel better about the time I spent and I appreciated the gesture (although I still insist that the fun I had was compensation enough /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif).