TOC - volunteeres Tractor on Call

[newbury]

Has anyone here tried to establish a volunteer organization for tractor support?

It seems there are a lot of us on this forum that would donate seat time if needed in moving "stuff" in case of a "need".

I'm talking about:
The need for a community pool to move a load of sand.
The need for a Habitat for Humanity project to move lumber.
The need for a region to move sandbags for the Red river

Has it been discussed and I missed it?

We've a LOT of HP, knowledge, and expertise that could work wonders, and many of us have time to do it.

 

[IslandTractor]

Sadly there is a big liability issue that would make such an organization difficult. Most of us have essentially personal home liability insurance associated with our tractors and are not covered off our own property. Commerical insurance is way expensive for those who don't actually bring in $$$ with tractor use.

I do some of the type of work you are mentioning by supporting the tractor needs of a conservation group that runs a farm a mile from my property and I also cut fields on that group's land right across from my home. I doubt I am covered for liability issues however which makes me very anxious whenever anyone else is around while I am working.

 

[newbury]

The legal and insurance issues would have to be addressed but if they had been solved before I've missed it.

If I had to buy insurance for $599,999 a year I wouldn't volunteer. But if it was $5.99 a year I would.

 

[IslandTractor]

The legal and insurance issues would have to be addressed but if they had been solved before I've missed it.

If I had to buy insurance for $599,999 a year I wouldn't volunteer. But if it was $5.99 a year I would.

Commercial insurance around my area is about $3000/year for moderate coverage. Too rich for me.

 

[MikeInEburg]

A couple of years ago someone suggested a similar venture - even going so far as to come up with, what I think, is a great name... "Tractors without Borders". Alas, the liability issues arose then too. In a true emergency, I'd take my chances with fate...

Mike

 

[LBrown59]

The insurance industry and the lawyers. will see that no good deed goes unpunished.

A couple of years ago someone suggested a similar venture - even going so far as to come up with, what I think, is a great name... "Tractors without Borders". Alas, the liability issues arose then too. In a true emergency, I'd take my chances with fate...

Mike

 

[wvpolekat]

Good semaritian laws will protect people acting reasonably in most states in an emergency. Kalifornia is probably an exception, I would guess that someone there could sue you and win for helping or not helping.

 

[IslandTractor]

Good semaritian laws will protect people acting reasonably in most states in an emergency. .

Key phrase is "in an emergency". That doesn't cover doing volunteer work on a planned basis such as mowing, digging, tilling, plowing etc. I wouldn't hesitate using my tractor to lift a tree off someone who was trapped but using it in a volunteer setting would likely not be covered by good samaritan laws IMO.

 

[Ken45101]

My insurance agent tells me that my equipment is covered when I take it off farm for volunteer work (as long as I'm not getting paid for it). I do a lot of bridle trail maintenance in state parks and forests. But I hadn't thought about personal liability issues. Hmmmm.

FWIW, when doing volunteer work here in Ohio parks, we are covered if we are injured by state workman's comp.

Good points to ponder.

Ken

 

[tatra805]

go to your insurance company and ask them for a free insurance.

You offer him
- magnetic label advertising on tractors and implements
- web coverage on your website
- local newspapers involved during activities of the voluntary group.

You might be surprised with their response.

They also know their bad reputation and nothing more effective than close to the people advertising.

my 2 cents