Loaning out tractor/implements

[Riderguy]

I agree with the above poster about liability. If friends need the tractor, I come with it. I think also the insurance I bought with the tractor (JD 3720) appreciates it more if I operate it. At least that is what I am choosing to believe and pass along to others that need the tractor.

In all fairness though, I have only had one friend need the lift capability of the tractor, and he didn't want to operate it himself. I was more than happy to help, and we have a very funny story that we can share with others about that experience. It was a good bonding moment!

Scott

 

[Jeepnford]

I'll loan it out if I go with it. My homeowners insurance only covers it on my property. My tractor insurance only covers it with me operating it and me towing it with my truck. I might drop the extra policy,it's really not worth keeping,I don't leave my place often enough.

 

[Redbug]

In general the answer is "No".

However, I have a couple close friends that treat their own stuff with care. That's the way they treat their friends, too! And I know they would be the same way with my stuff. I know they would have it fixed properly if something got broke. So for them, I would not even give it a second thought...Just a "Yes, any time".

 

[horse2292]

Thats how I work.. If the tractor goes, im driving it..

b

:thumbsup:

 

[AlanB]

I am the oddball here I guess.

We regularly lend and borrow equipment amongst several of us, even to the point of lending borrowed equipment (which we try not to do)

Right now there is a Trackavator and a Gehl (Takuchie) Skid steer in my back yard that is borrowed, and a trencher on my Dingo that is borrowed.

My tiller (actually my buddies tiller that I have possession of) is lent to a friend, and my Backhoe came back a bit ago from a month or two of being at the guys house whose trackavator and big skid steer are at my house now.

Dad is driving one of my trucks now for the limited amount he drives, and he keeps keys to three of them I think. He of course is using anything in the shop, much of which was his previously.

I used to worry about stuff, and yep, when the trackavator developed a massive oil leak and the lights came on I had fears of replacing a trackavator engine but so far, we have been might lucky and able to do a lot more than if any of us just had to do it with what we have alone.

As to the liability end of things, something is wrong in the American system at present, if nothing else because everyone is so dang afraid of getting sued. While it is certainly a possibility, I bet statistically that I am much more liable to get struck by lightning (or certainly in a bad car accident) this year than sued over equipment use. I will run the risk and address that problem IF, and when it arises.

 

[scoutcub]

This has been a great thread/discussion, and really got me thinking.

I just moved from a subdivision near Detroit to the country in Ohio. When living in the subdivision, I had one neighbor that operated just as I do, return it ASAP in the same or better condition. We would borrow tools all the time, our running joke was between the 2 of us we had every tool needed for any project covered!
On one occasion, I used a few (size specific) drill bits of his for some tough drilling, and broke both of them....immediately ran down to Ace and purchased 4 bits, 2 for myself and 2 new ones (higher quality) for him.
On another occasion he borrowed my edger and noticed the oil a bit dirty, so changed the oil for me and filled it with gas.
Conversely, another neighbor still has my hedge trimmer that he borrowed a year ago. (And I'm 250 miles away now) He would borrow items that I would forget about, and when he would eventually bring them back, I'd say, "oh, so that's where it was".

Now, living where I am living, I'm able to use all my tractors & equipment. I have one brother-in-law that wanted to use a tractor for "about a week" to do some various chores around his house, in exchange for storing it in his pole barn.....I ended up putting it in storage.
The other BIL has requested the keys to my excavator sitting on our property.....and I just can't do it.
Now I like these guys and get along very well with them, but what one poster mentioned about the insurance company coming after YOU to recover medical costs if something were to happen...that keeps sticking out in my head. And, what if someone else blows a final drive out of the excavator while I'm gone....can he afford it? (no)

What I've done is offered my tractor (and myself) to the BIL needing the tractor work done. The other BIL I went and did the job myself, clearing an area for a food plot.

SO I guess it depends on the situation, as many have said "I go with my equipment" each scenario is different. Small stuff, sure. Big stuff.....which is expensive to repair and could cause injury.....be careful!

 

[w6ada]

Basically my power tools (including tractor) come with an operator.....Me..

Plus 1

 

[CentralNC]

This discussion was very timely for an experience I had this weekend. A neighbor's son wanted to borrow my tractor to do some digging around their house. I just do not like to loan out my equipment to anyone other than my brothers, because no one will take care of it like I do. Of course....I know how much it costs $$$ so that is an incentive.

I had several good reasons (insurance, liability, insurance company lawyers, etc.) ready for an immediate response. I offered to come over and help with my tractor, but I would not just loan it to them.

Good post.

 

[robs660]

Only loan my stuff to 2 people. My father and my neighbor (who waxes his garage floor every Sunday and has touch up paint for e everything he owns). I try not to ask to borrow, and I would rather help out a bud them loan them my gear. Figure i could always use an extra hand on my projects

 

[luscsmith]

I loaned out my backhoe once. I had to go retreive it myself after a month; It had not been used much at all. A swing cylinder had blown and I guess he could not afford the $25.00 repair. If he would have told me I would have brought a seal kit and oil over, we would have fixed it and he could had finished his little job. Now no loaning equipment.

Scott

 

[Soundguy]

that is the kind of reason why I don't loan equipment without me going with it anymore..

soundguy

 

[JoelD]

I will loan tools to friends only if trusted currently that is just one person

Tractor truck trailer boat etc only to my brother and no one else although he rarely takes me up on it usually we'd be doing what ever it is together

Joel

 

[keeney]

I kind of have the opposite sentiment of many here. I am happy to loan out my truck, trailer, tractor, other tools, but "labor" is not necessarily included, and generally neither is delivery. In other words, if they want to drive over, pick up the stuff, and get it returned in good working condition before the next time I need it, without taking up too much of my time (other than shooting the breeze over a beer or two at the end of the day when they return it) I am happy to loan it.

If they want me to come help with the project for the weekend, that is when the real favor starts to kick in.

When stuff gets returned broken or missing pieces - generally, people are pretty good about at least offering to pay for parts...

- Rick

 

[Duffster]

I kind of have the opposite sentiment of many here. I am happy to loan out my truck, trailer, tractor, other tools, but "labor" is not necessarily included, and generally neither is delivery. In other words, if they want to drive over, pick up the stuff, and get it returned in good working condition before the next time I need it, without taking up too much of my time (other than shooting the breeze over a beer or two at the end of the day when they return it) I am happy to loan it.

If they want me to come help with the project for the weekend, that is when the real favor starts to kick in.

When stuff gets returned broken or missing pieces - generally, people are pretty good about at least offering to pay for parts...

- Rick

Nice post, very refreshing.

 

[captaincrab55]

Several years ago, a poster IIRC named cowboy doc spoke to the subject of loaning equipment. Based on that post and subsequent threads, I decided to not loan anything to anyone IF they needed to use it off of my property. A terrible way to live and to treat neighbors, friends, or just about anyone.
Here is why: If I loan something to my neighbor and friend Fulano, who takes it home and Beltrano (who could be anyone from anywhere known or unknown, related or unrelated, to me or to Fulano) injures himself/herself with the loaned article, I pay. WHAT??? Fulano does not sue me, and Beltrano does not sue me. The insurance company (or entity that put Beltrano back together) sues me. Big time. Of course, if Fulano hurts himself, I would also pay. Again, Fulano may or may not sue me, but his insurance company will. They want their money back and they will take everything I have to get it. My homeowners' policy does not apply -- well, maybe the first $5k.
Even after reading the posts I could not believe it. So I asked my State Farm agent about it. He confirmed it. I quit loaning anything to anyone. I could loan something and hope that my umbrella policy was large enough, but why go there?
I did a quick search for those threads, but didn't find them. If they can be found, they are really worth reading very carefully.

I'll second that...

 

[Soundguy]

I guess I need to modify a previous post.

I -HAVE- one time, loaned out my 16' flatbed trailer to a friend who needed to make a red eye trip out of state to grab his broke down car... .. though I usually don't loan things unless I go with them..

soundguy

 

[looknlearn]

Originally Posted by keeney
I kind of have the opposite sentiment of many here. I am happy to loan out my truck, trailer, tractor, other tools, but "labor" is not necessarily included, and generally neither is delivery. In other words, if they want to drive over, pick up the stuff, and get it returned in good working condition before the next time I need it, without taking up too much of my time (other than shooting the breeze over a beer or two at the end of the day when they return it) I am happy to loan it.

If they want me to come help with the project for the weekend, that is when the real favor starts to kick in.

When stuff gets returned broken or missing pieces - generally, people are pretty good about at least offering to pay for parts...

- Rick

I agree:thumbsup:

 

[600rider]

I loan anything I have to my BIL and he will loan me anything he has.....except his Corvette (LOL) but thats about it. My SIL has been schooled in driving my B7510 to brush hog his 5 acre medow so I do loan it to him but most of the time I just go do it for him. If someone askes me I will usualy loan out a hand tool but express that I want it back asap!!
I do have a few friends that I know would lend me or I would lend them most any tool in the garage but we know it will be returned in the same or better condition as lent.
My wifes cousin will lend out anything he has and then when it either doesn't come back or comes back broken he complains and I tell him he needs to get some better friends!!!
At work if someone asks to borrow a tool they can, ONE time and if they ask again I tell em they need to buy their own, thats the way I am if I borrow it once then fine but I will not borrow it again I will buy the item needed!!

 

[MKL1980]

All I can say is don't do it !!! We sell and repair any farm equipment and most of the time the person loaning it will have to spend money when they get it back. But on the other hand I seen people borrow equipment and end up spending lots of money either to male it work or the loaner says that person broke something. So I do not advise it to any one !!

 

[MESSMAKER]

I grew up on a farm and I am not sure that a month went by without borrowing or loaning something. Money was tight and farms were small. Not everyone needed a bushog,post hole digger,water pump,fence stretcher or a few other things. They set unused most of the time. I guess you are going to meet that person sometime in your life but it has always worked out for me. Loaning a tool to someone you consider a friend is a good way to determine character. I have a friend that I like a lot but after a loan, I learned that he is just a good time guy that is not to be counted on for things of importance. I consider this valuable info.