Letting the neighbor borrow your tractor...

[drivadesl]

For me I would be hesitant. My next door neighbor is a great guy and would do anything if asked and sometimes even when not asked. I've always done the same for him. So when he asked to borrow my little NH 1520 I said fine. He wanted to move back a 8' high compacted dirt pile so I explained how to use the bucket to scrape the pile from the bottom to top to fill the bucket. I guess he didn't like that approach and before long was driving full bore into the pile trying to bury the bucket. I was not happy and even after explaining it could damage any number of parts, he continued. Fortunately he did not damage anYthing but so what. He was beating on it in way I would not so that was the last time he asked.

You're better off doing the work for them since do you really want to find your transmission mounts cracked or bucket arms twisted? And if you're having them pay you by the hour they may feel they can beat on it anyway they want and not obligated to pay for repairs. Just not worth it to me.

 

[Tonyinohio]

I'll give away my extra tools but not lend. I'll even do the work with my equipment for free. It's cheaper and less hassle than lending.

 

[MESSMAKER]

It depends on the guy. Nobody will be much harder on my tractor than me. The question is do they know the limits of the machine. One of my neighbors is a master welder and has fixed things for me several times. He has access to my tractor whenever he wants it. Just remember, things break.

 

[Kubota 2350]

I have a few close friends that I will lend things to, my tractor is not one of those things,
If my tractor gets driven, I'm in the seat.

 

[Alien]

I loaned a Makita saw to a neighbour recently. He bought it back but he doesn't realize he blunted/stuffed my blade. I had a spare and put it on and threw the other in the bin. Guess what, he came and asked to borrow it again yesterday.
I told him I was about to start making shelves so I needed it. (now I guess I will have to make some shelves)

Don't loan a tractor. Too much scope for bad feelings and fall-outs.

 

[varmint]

The opinions/experiences run the gamut! I really liked Eddie's tale about elk hunting in what is sadly increasingly rare circumstances. Sounds like these ranchers had a very tight, if spread-out, community.

I have had a few friends over my lifetime that I would loan pretty much anything to, but they have, I am sorry to admit, been very rare. In general, I guess I will help out as needed, but I do the tractoring, or sawing, or whatever. That way, no disappointments. Sometimes, you will need help, and that means you have to give help, when needed.

Good thread!

 

[Professor Marvel]

Your situation sounds about as good as you can get for a tractor lending situation. But still don't be surprised if you find yourself looking back on it with regret.

 

[Tinstafl]

I will loan mine to a few people. Most of them already have one and use one a lot and are farming lots of acres. If one of their machines goes down and no loaner is available and they ask, they can use it. I know I will get it back washed and clean.

 

[fxdb96]

I lent mine this weekend .... But my neighbor is my cousin ... But my tractor is quite new (20hrs). The way i see it - if it brings someone else as much joy as i get from it then no harm done as long as no big mistakes are made haha

 

[Alien]

Fair enough, but tractors can be dangerous things to the unaware. How would you feel if someone got injured or worse on your tractor. Nope, I would never loan mine.