Letting the neighbor borrow your tractor...

[npaden]

Well, I let him borrow it yesterday and so far my expectations seem to be in line with reality. He put 2 hours on the tractor and returned in greased and in good shape.

I had gone over everything with him the day before and told him that the trickiest part about borrowing it might be opening and closing my barn door because the opener has been hanging up lately so you have to help it close. Well he fixed that for me too.

We had also talked about replacing the useless right side step with a toolbox instead (there are to many things in the way to get in and out on that side) and he built a bracket to hold a toolbox but just temporarily so I could check it out to see what I thought.

I'm not that worried about scratches and even dents. He doesn't have a lot of brush or trees on his place so I don't think he will be using the tractor as a bulldozer like I have done in the past. I was hesitant to get a cab tractor because how rough I was on my last tractor mowing around trees and over brush and stuff like that. I had a big fire on my hunting property so I've spent a bit of time just moving fallen trees into piles and things like that. I'm pretty sure the first dent or scratch is going to show up when I'm operating it down there.

I am a little concerned about piling up the hours on the tractor with both of us using it. This tractor would last me 10 or 20 years at the rate I've been putting hours on it. That was part of the theory on charging something for it. I'll try to update this thread with any problems that come up or any solutions I figure out down the road.

Thanks, Nathan

 

[big bubba]

sounds as though he intends to make the arrangement ongoing rather than a one time occasion. you are bearing all the responsibility of ownership/maintenance/investment/depreciation. he's reaping all the benefits only w/occasional improvements.... let us know how this works out. best!

 

[Industrial Toys]

That sounds like the arrangement is working. Maybe, the key is that you arn't too fussy, as I would be. I have to confess to being someone that borrows or asks for a favour for a third party. That can be a problem.

I have a neighbour that is just great. We do things for each other routinely. Unfortunately, the man has very little mechanical aptitude, so it's not just about attitude. Yeah, just before it seized up, I kinda thought it was making a strange sound, kind of guy.

 

[SARG]

No way.
I worked a long time to acquire the tractors I have and I've found over the years that the majority of the human herd are not trustworthy.

 

[AxleHub]

NPaden,

I read a bunch of the responses you got. But your neighbor seems to be a willing partner but you don't. My point is . . you didn't seem to this point to have set up an agreement that addresses the needs or solves your doubts and reservations . . and that seems unfair to your neighbor. If you don't want to share a tractir in some form . . then tell him but don't string him along.

If you want to share but have concerns . . Don't make him come upnwith all the suggestions. Solve it but don't have an endless list of objections.

As some small examples:

1. You are sharing a tractor but you already have the implements from before . . Where has your plan been for that or are you waiting for him to figure it out?

2. You only used 375 hours in all the years of your last tractor . . yet you didn't propose any "hours used" concepts in a possible agreement?

3. Fuel used or accessories needed or desired????

My point is simple . . speak up . . right now it seems like you are slowly trying to set barriers in the way hoping he will get discouraged. Either partner/share or don't . . . but don't keep changing your mind or trying to discourage him . . your descriptions sound like he is adjusting, trying, and agreeing to new conditions on a steady vasis to make something work. Politely stated . . decide what you want to do and participate in either finding solutions or stopping the process.

I think your nrigjbor deserves it.


Just my humble opinion.

 

[dragoneggs]

Axle, I read the OP a little differently. It sounds to me that he is a trusting guy and a neighborly one too. Also sounds like the OP's neighbor might be similar except maybe more handy. I agree though if entering into an agreement, put the stuff down in writing... the what ifs, and how you two will reconcile. This will be better for both of you. This isn't fun though and part of why I wouldn't want to partner on something significant. I have discussed arrangements like this with close friends and BILs before considering a shared boat, and a family retreat.

 

[AxleHub]

Axle, I read the OP a little differently. It sounds to me that he is a trusting guy and a neighborly one too. Also sounds like the OP's neighbor might be similar except maybe more handy. I agree though if entering into an agreement, put the stuff down in writing... the what ifs, and how you two will reconcile. This will be better for both of you. This isn't fun though and part of why I wouldn't want to partner on something significant. I have discussed arrangements like this with close friends and BILs before considering a shared boat, and a family retreat.

Agreed. My point is you can be politically correct to the point where someone feels like no matter What they do . . Its not enough and a decent relationship becomes very strained. I wouldn't personally want to share a tractor because its so different than sharing a riding lawn mower. And what happens if one person doesn't want or need it anymore or one person neefs it a great deal? Or how do you take advantage of financing with some long involved agreement?

 

[rbtjr]

FWIW, I would never enter into a sharing arrangement such as is proposed. There is too much downside compared to the upside--especially with the downside including misunderstandings and a falling out with someone with whom you formerly had a good relationship. One aspect is the safety issue. Before loaning potentially dangerous equipment to someone, I would want to be sure that they are fully qualified to operate the equipment. That alone could lead to conflict, because I am a safety zealot. I agree with the posters who have said that they would offer help from time to time with them being the operator. I especially would never rent a tractor to a friend or a neighbor. That for sure makes the tractor relationship a financial one. And to me, any shared-ownership arrangement is just a step away from a rental relationship. I don't enter into financial relationships with friends or neighbors. We have several pieces of equipment and have never shared or rented any of them. However, I recognize that never having done it, we have no experience base on which to advise how well it works when you actually do it.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have heard it said that the opposite to love isn't hate, it's resentment!

Or:

It's all good fun til the tractor looses an eye.

 

[MossRoad]

Hand tools. Yes.
Power tools. Yes, if they are harbor freight. Otherwise, really gotta think about it...
Tractor.... only with me included and the borrower supplies the root beer and gas. This way, if I break it, its my fault and I won't hold any ill feelings towards the borrower.

I plow my neighbor's snow with my tractor and he mows part of my lawn with his. I till his garden with my tiller, too.