Would You Loan It Out?

FERLING · May 13, 2022

D2Cat said:
I had a brother-in- law would go to an auction with me and openly say, "You buy it, I'll borrow it!" When I realized he was serious I parted company.

I have seen him one time in 35 years!

At least he was honest!

How Harris · May 13, 2022

Avenger said:
A neighbor who lives down the road from me, a neighbor who I've only met once or twice, finds out that I have a tiller. I have a Woods RT72.40 6ft tiller. Last spring, he "hired" me to till his garden plot, about a half acre. And by hired, I mean, I drove down the road about 10 minutes, tilled up the sod where he had marked, and drove home unpaid. He suddenly had to leave and never did pay the agreed amount of $50, which, in my opinion, was a steal. I really didn't care about the money, and didn't push for it.

This last weekend he calls me, first time I've spoken to him all year. He asked to borrow the tiller and informed me that he has recently purchased a new tractor.

Being the nice and helpful person I am, and realizing that this wont take much of my time, I reluctantly agreed. The tiller has been sitting all winter, so I brought it up to the shop, checked the gear oil, greased it, and slipped the slip clutch. I checked it all over for damage and set it next to my garage for an easy hook up to his tractor. He shows up in a small Branson 2400 21 HP at the PTO.... and backs up to my 6 foot wide tiller. Upon learning that his new tractor is only 24 engine HP, I advised that his tractor is simply not enough. I offered to use my tractor. He scoffed and said that he knows what he is doing, and he cannot afford my high prices! I left him to his work of hooking up to my tiller, hoping, at this point, that his 3 point wouldn't even lift it. But it did and he drove down the road.

He sends me a text message that afternoon: He said that the tiller worked very well. He was able to till at "15-1800 RPM, 1/1," and he needs to borrow it a bit longer. I needed clarification. Why so low of RPM? What is 1/1? Why does he need it longer?

Apparently, he is running as slow as the tractor could go: first gear, first range (1/1), and had to slow the RPM of the engine down to move slow enough across the ground, to do a good job. He needs it longer because he has decided to not only do the garden, but expand his garden, and also put in a big back yard.

My wife called me an idiot. Am I too nice? Too helpful? Would you have loaned your tiller (or other attachment) out to someone like this? He still has it, and I haven't heard anything back. I drove by his house this morning and I saw his garden is bigger, all tilled up, but couldn't see his back yard.

What kind of damage could I expect on my tiller of running it at low RPM on virgin soil? Its gear driven, so I assume the gears are taking a beating?

Guess you’ve seen enough “no” replies. Good thought on the hell no!
I agree, a large pry bar would be the only exception and with that guy, I’d get a deposit on it!

frcnLS · May 13, 2022

The list or reasons to say NO is previous to mine. You are lucky he did not wrap 20 feet of galvanized pipe around the tiller and tell you to come get it because it doesn't work. He made a deal the first tiome then stiffed you. That was all you needed to know. It if was me, when he came back the second time I would have turned on the voice message recorder on my phone, told him to get off my property because he was a tresspasser, and next time he showed up I would take photos and call the sheriff. You gave him an inch and he took a mile.

cullenskink · May 13, 2022

Avenger said:
A neighbor who lives down the road from me, a neighbor ....

I think it's really unfair to call you an idiot. Your are a very kind guy and you've helped out a neighbor who really doesn't deserve that much help. Unfortunately there are some big pitfalls in 'lending' stuff out. I'll do it with someone I know well, like a friend, but with friends I'm very clear about what "the deal" is. You break it you you fix it, no excuses no exceptions, and give them an idea of what that cost might be. I also try to get that written down, even if it's just email or text, with a "do you agree?" in there.

The other pitfall, which I haven't personally experienced yet, but which puts me off the most, is litigation. This can end up costing you 10 times more than the item you loan out. Let's say this twit manages to damage his tractor, or worse, himself or somebody else, then he can pursue you for all sorts of things. You're not making money from each transaction or have insurance for this kind of thing like a rental company.

So the potential down side can be very high and the upside for you is nothing. You're not an idiot you're a really decent fellow, unfortunately this world is full of a$$ hat$ and you might end up putting their kids through college.

FERLING · May 13, 2022

5030 said:
I'd loan my wife out before I'd loan ANY if my tractors out.

....and you can bet with your luck they would bring her back promptly!

Jonsdeere · May 13, 2022

A wise friend told me a long time ago that the devil resides in borrowed tools!

matthewconnors · May 13, 2022

You sound like a real nice fella. Get your wife to handle all future negotiations.

redobbin · May 13, 2022

Nope, no lending, he can rent or buy his own. “He can’t afford your high prices”, but he will take your 2.8K implement and run over and into who knows what.

I would get it back for some task I need to do now and post pick up let him know I can’t lend out implements in the future

JRH02 · May 13, 2022

You DO know that there are people who will ask for something just to see if they can get away with it? What is next? And if you resist in the future then the chatter spreads because you are inconsistent and did them wrong.

~5 years back I had my nearest neighbor ask to store his TWO Kubotas in a brand new pole barn over the winter. I had this building erected so I could get my 410j inside without extending the backhoe if I needed to work on it. Oh, no problem, he'll leave me with the keys so I can shuttle his equipment around if I need to use my own building. I said no thanks. He hasn't talked to me since.