Time shares...

[charlesw]

When I moved here, a year ago, my neighbors mentioned wanting to get a neighborhood tractor. I didn't broach the subject with them again until, well, until I had purchased a tractor of my own. Somehow, I figured I'd just share it with one other family and I'd still have it any time I wanted it. Well, ha. Yeah. Broaching the subject wasn't a great idea. All of my neighbors want of piece of my tractor, now. Well, hey, I'm no dummy! The tragedy of the commons is real. Besides, how can I run my farm without having my tractor available at my every whim? And it's not like I can't afford to own it - it's just that I don't like having a loan that big for that long!

Sigh. Ok, so, here's the deal... I want to hear all of the wonderful ways in which tractor sharing has worked out great and how you've set it up so that it did. Get it? No horror stories! I can surely imagine things much worse that what happened to you! Besides, what's the point in sharing them? I'm trying to think of interesting and creative ways that this -might- be made to work for all us!

c

 

[Dusty]

Have never heard of it for a tractor, but I have heard of people going in on shares of a private airplane. Possibly that is where you might be able to research it. Personally, I don't think it a good idea, but that is your own personal decision, and what I think doesn't count.
Dusty

 

[johnk]

Just like everything else. When it breaks thats where friendships are tested. Did you do this . Did you do that. I'm not paying. If your neighbors need a tractor or tractor work done let them pay you { A reasonable Fee } or buy their own. If it's a 20K tractor when something breaks, everyone might not be in the position to pay for the fix... Just my thoughts....

 

[thcri]

Just like everything else. When it breaks thats where friendships are tested.

And everytime you go to use the tractor you will find the last guy broke something, you can't use the tractor because of it and it has to be fixed first and your task does not get done.


murph

 

[machmeter62]

Partnerships usually never work, and if females are involved that is another issue? This situation isn't tractor related, but a neighborhood debacle! Many years ago now, we leased a ski cabin in the Sierra- Nevada Mts. for the winter. I was ultimately responsible for the care, maintenance, utility bills, and etc, since the owner wanted to deal with one person only! I collected a "slush fund" for the utilities, based on the owners estimates. We were in the cabin the second month, and when the utility bill came, we had already exceeded the winter estimate. But trying to collect from others was another matter!! The cabin was never opened or closed properly, because the water lines had to be filled and drained on coming and going. Two hot water elements were burned out, and other problems, that fell on my shoulders. I became the maintenance man also! Another time, one of the members gave the keys to one of his friends, who was a non-paying member, and they were sleeping in the master bedroom when we arrived!! It will cause friction with the neighbors, and may destroy the friendships also! Good luck with your decision!!

 

[charlesw]

Good luck with your decision!!

Oddly, my wife (who will never drive the tractor) told me not to do it. I think that the scariest part of all of it for me was that the first person I told was very excited - and wanted to get another 5 people in on the tractor. I was thinking maybe sharing it with one other person! Someone nearby and appearing, at least to me, reliable...

 

[dgl24087]

Oddly, my wife (who will never drive the tractor) told me not to do it. I think that the scariest part of all of it for me was that the first person I told was very excited - and wanted to get another 5 people in on the tractor. I was thinking maybe sharing it with one other person! Someone nearby and appearing, at least to me, reliable...

I agree with the poster who says if anyone wants work done, they pay you to do it. That's the way my brother and I do it, one neighbor who didn't like to pay for brush hogging went out and spent $14k or so on his own tractor and mower to avoid paying a couple hundred a year to get us to do it.

 

[Gator6x4]

When I moved here, a year ago, my neighbors mentioned wanting to get a neighborhood tractor. I didn't broach the subject with them again until, well, until I had purchased a tractor of my own. Somehow, I figured I'd just share it with one other family and I'd still have it any time I wanted it. Well, ha. Yeah. Broaching the subject wasn't a great idea. All of my neighbors want of piece of my tractor, now. Well, hey, I'm no dummy! The tragedy of the commons is real. Besides, how can I run my farm without having my tractor available at my every whim? And it's not like I can't afford to own it - it's just that I don't like having a loan that big for that long!

Sigh. Ok, so, here's the deal... I want to hear all of the wonderful ways in which tractor sharing has worked out great and how you've set it up so that it did. Get it? No horror stories! I can surely imagine things much worse that what happened to you! Besides, what's the point in sharing them? I'm trying to think of interesting and creative ways that this -might- be made to work for all us!

c

Just my take an opinion.

What happens if someone gets hurt using YOUR tractor? What happens if someone hurts someone while using YOUR tractor? These are but two of many-many questions. The way juries are today (notice I did not say Judges) I would not think of loaning a piece of equipment that can or could cause serious injury or death.

I don't think I would want to own part of a tractor even if it was titled to a corporation unless it carried a cost prohibitive insurance policy.

Just my thoughts.

 

[randy41]

This is a bad idea.

 

[755inNY]

Don't even think of doing it unless you, and everyone else, is willing to put everything in writing and sign it! If it is a causal, verbal agreement then you are certainly heading for trouble. There is so much to consider:
How will each neighbor provide an equity investment?
Will the equity investment be prorated based on expected hours of useage?
How does a neighbor get out of the ownership if they want?
What about training on proper operation?
What about liability?
You will need to establish a maintenance fund both for scheduled and unscheduled events.
Where will the tractor be stored?
How many hours is reasonable use by each neighbor?
How do you schedule or reserve time for tractor use that is fair for everyone?

These are just the tip of the iceberg. Every point would need to be discussed with the neighbors, agreed upon and put into writing.

I think if you start talking with your neighbors about the realities involved, the interest in a neigborhood tractor will evaporate.

Unless your neighbors have shown that they know how to operate the equipment, are very respectful of the equipment and are willing to pay for anything they break, I would suggest that you operate the tractor yourself in helping them do their project in return for them helping you on something you need.

I think your wife is correct.