WOW!! This thread blew up!
Like someone mentioned before, I think that because its resonates so well with everyone. I suspect that each of you, even the ones who have said they "never lend anything out, ever!" have loaned out something to someone at sometime. BUT, that's neither here or there. I'll continue to help those who need help. If that's doing the work, or loaning things out to TRUSTED individuals. That's my nature.
For all that missed it, I did get my tiller back! I drove the roughly 10 minutes down the road (in my slow tractor) to pick it up. It was unhooked in his driveway. I hooked up (using the hooks and balls, took me longer to hook up the PTO shaft than the 3pt) and drove the roughly 10 minutes home. I brought it up to the shop, hosed it off, and started inspecting it for damage. I didn't notice any. The oils looked good, the u-joints looked good. No dents, dings, or foreign objects wrapped around the tiller. I unhooked it in my lower lot, and went back to my other projects.
Since many of you noticed that my wife called me an idiot. She DID! She called me an idiot because she saw that I was upset. She knows NOTHING about implements or tractors. But she saw that I was having a hard time with my decision, a decision I already knew was a mistake, she said something along the lines of "Next time, don't be an idiot."
I'm the type of person, that, when asked, will do anything for you. Perfect stranger or best friend. If you ask for my help, there is a big chance that I will help you if I can. And yes, I've been taken advantage of. But most of the time, my help is paid back in some manor, be that with money, favors, or help in return. Example: I made a video of my new driveway (go check it out, link in my signature line). I casually mention that I'm "getting the hook up, from a friend who owns a landscaping supply business." He is also a neighbor! Lives about 15 minutes in the other direction of parasite neighbor. I've done many things for my helpful neighbor, his wife and mine are friends, our kids play together, and he basically installed my driveway (graded the hardpan, laid down a base, then topped it with gravel) for next to nothing! I had to pay the wages of the truck drivers and the grader operator. If I never helped out this neighbor, loaning him tools or implements, my time, etc, then I would have had to pay upwards of $20k for that road (thats what he quoted my neighbor whom I share the driveway with).
I've learned my lesson with parasite neighbors. I wont lend anything to him again. However, if YOU moved in next door, a perfect stranger, and you ask me to borrow my tiller, I'd probably let you have it.
