Who Should Pay?

Diggin It · Jan 21, 2019

That's why those details matter in the opening post. If they offered, there is no reason not to accept.

HarryVanderpool · Jan 21, 2019

Option: 4 NEVER, EVER loan your tractor to anyone for any reason.
If you have a hole in your head and do, ANYTHING that happens is on you.

Woody65 · Jan 21, 2019

Avenger said:
Let me clarify a point. The break down is neither operator error or simple wear and tear. It just happened, and would happen to anyone. No one is at fault. Think of something like a hose blowing or sheer pin breaking, etc. But bigger.
So this did happen to me this last Saturday. The tractor catastrophically broke down while mowing brush for my neighbor. It broke in a way that the tractor cannot move on its own. The repair is simple and will cost about $250 for the broken part.
My neighbor immediately told me that he was very sorry and would cover the cost of repair, and assist me in repairing it. Should only take about 30 minutes when the new part comes in. I suggested option 2, since its my tractor. We agreed to split it. I am just curious about your opinions. This whole thing is resolved.
The break is nothing anyone could have foreseen.

I think you and your neighbor handled it perfectly. You don’t feel put out by having to pick up the whole tab and he doesn’t feel too bad about your tractor breaking cause he is paying for half the costs and helping repair the damage.

zzvyb6 · Jan 21, 2019

So why can't the actual failure be mentioned ? Maybe some other owners here would like to know what could happen to their machine. Did a cup-holder break because you jammed a 16 oz. into a 12 oz. spot ? come on fess up.

Trillium Farm · Jan 21, 2019

Diggin It said:
#2 ... UNLESS .....Something the neighbor did (or didn't do) led to the issue. Maybe they didn't tell you about some metal rods that might be in that brush pile you needed to drive over.

That's how I feel too. There has to be negligence on the part of the neighbour to hold him accountable.

Trillium Farm · Jan 21, 2019

Avenger said:
Let me clarify a point. The break down is neither operator error or simple wear and tear. It just happened, and would happen to anyone. No one is at fault. Think of something like a hose blowing or sheer pin breaking, etc. But bigger.
So this did happen to me this last Saturday. The tractor catastrophically broke down while mowing brush for my neighbor. It broke in a way that the tractor cannot move on its own. The repair is simple and will cost about $250 for the broken part.
My neighbor immediately told me that he was very sorry and would cover the cost of repair, and assist me in repairing it. Should only take about 30 minutes when the new part comes in. I suggested option 2, since its my tractor. We agreed to split it. I am just curious about your opinions. This whole thing is resolved.
The break is nothing anyone could have foreseen.

I think your neighbour was very generous and that both of you handled it well to keep future relations in good term.
Just because the machine broke down on his property doing normal work doesn't make him liable unless there is negligence on his part. Otherwise he'd be responsible for your negligence in maintenance or just your bad luck.

TnAndy · Jan 21, 2019

countrybumpkin said:
It痴 your tractor, you fix it and move on.

My vote as well. You're using it and breaks, it was going to break at your house too.

Only exception I could see is if the neighbor asked you to do something really stupid with it, and you were stupid enough to agreed to do it....then he might be on the hook for some partial amount.

CobyRupert · Jan 21, 2019

zzvyb6 said:
So why can't the actual failure be mentioned ? Maybe some other owners here would like to know what could happen to their machine. Did a cup-holder break because you jammed a 16 oz. into a 12 oz. spot ? come on fess up.

That would be catastrophic!
I understand why you couldn’t use the tractor if there’s no place for your 16oz!

Avenger · Jan 21, 2019

zzvyb6 said:
So why can't the actual failure be mentioned ? Maybe some other owners here would like to know what could happen to their machine. Did a cup-holder break because you jammed a 16 oz. into a 12 oz. spot ? come on fess up.

LOL! Yes, how'd ya know?! Those pesky 12oz cup holders.

I am hesitant to tell because it will be well documented in videos and on here in a future post when the the repair is completed. I am currently waiting for the part to come in. There has to be some sort of suspense.

But if you absolutely must know, the right-hand steering arm broke at the tie rod when I was turning around. It's 4 bolts and a castle nut, easy to get to, and should only take a few minutes to repair. The questions I pose have nothing to do with the actual break, but your opinion on what you would do if you were in this situation.