Wheel Horse Crying / *itch session....

[Docwheelhorse 2,792]

Hello All, been busy and on vacation and haven't been around much. I missed the place so thought I would drop in and cry on whoevers shoulder would let me--even though it was my dumb mistake.......

I'll start with the preface---> DON'T EVER LOAN YOUR WHEEL HORSE OUT!!!!!!

A very very nice guy at my work was crying that he had gotten in 40--50 yards of shredded bark mulch and was shocked that the local rental place wanted $125 a day for a small loader to move it around. Well I have worked with this guy for 11 years and am proud of my B80 8 Speed with the Kwik Way and Brinly hitch so I decided to show it off and let him borrow it along with my York/Rock rake. I told him I was driving to Florida and that he coiuld have it for a week. I greased it, changed the oil, filled it with gas, polished it and dropped it off.

A week and a 1/2 later he tells me he's done and that he loved it..... I go and pick it up and heres what I got

A) Loader Bucket bent at the top where somebody put a rope/chain over the splash guard and must have been picking up small block checys or giant rocks or there motther in law....

B ) Pump belt jumped off..... AND LEFT OFF.....

C) York Rake bent where they either backed into something or caught it on something not paying attention.

D) Engine oil black as coal tar and just touching the dipstick (well below add)

E) Lift arm bent outwards like they where trying to lift the York Rake when it was dug in or ????

F) Stuff I haven't noticed yet

I mean gosh dangit.... A real nice piece of equipment and it looks like he whored it out to the whole neighborhood.

Its all repairable but all un-neccesary too, a little respect and it would have been fine. I think he did a little more than move "shredded bark mulch" myself.

Tony

[Kelly 1,035]

I know the feeeling, I've loaned things out to come back broken or damaged, finally I stopped loaning things, and tell them if I have time, I will do it for you, Hope you don't find anything real bad, and get it back in top shape.

[Bill 4]

:omg: it's unbelievable how some people will treat other peoples stuff.. I feel for ya Doc. I've been there with a log splitter that I once loaned out to a friend...I'll never loan it out again!!!

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,691]

Tony,

I feel for ya. Some people don't have respect for equipment - the same people who probably go down to Sears, buys an $1000 lawn tractor, don't change the oil or mows when the grass is wet, and then complains when the thing breaks down in a couple of years. There also people who should NOT own power equipment - like my brother. It wouldn't make a difference if he had a MTD or a Wheel Horse or a JD or a Cub - none of them would last with him. :omg:

[Red Horse 34]

Tony. I absolutely know how you feel. Several years ago I loaned out a tiller that I had rebuilt to a guy in the neighborhood who's son used to play with my son. He tells me he has a garden and needs the tiller so could he borrow mine? No problem sure Mike come and get it. BIG BIG MISTAKE. I was speechless when he brought it back. I thought he was kidding with me. The thing is caked with mud and he has fubared one of the wheels. Leaves it in my driveway and dosen't even say thanks!!!. Here's the kicker ,The next Spring he comes over and asks for it again!!. Sorry Mike I sold it. ( I really had too). No shortage of gaul here. MORAL : There is a reason why they don't own good equipment and tools ,so don't supply them with yours. :omg:

[GlenPettit 1,718]

I also feel for you. Some people feel that since you can fix and repair anything so it's no big deal returning it "slightly" misused. Usually it's these same people who can't fix anything themselves, or if they did it would be a much bigger unrepairable mess. Just visualize what it would look like if they tried to fix it. But checking the oil, how simple. If you had an hour-meter, you could tell how much they ran it, they may have even loaned it out to their neighbors too. Kelly has the right idea.

[CasualObserver 3,411]

Rant received Tony! If it was low on oil, I'm guessing he probably didn't top off the gas either? You can add that to the list. And how much and hard did he run it to burn out a quart of oil? Nevermind... I don't (and more importantly...you don't) probably want to know. Good luck on speedy repairs.

[HorseFixer 2,013]

Tony I believe in the direct approach, something like this:

Tony: So's I see you F**Ked up my tractor? So what you gonna do about it?

Nothing Huh! Oh is that right? I'll tell ya what, yer gonna make good on this

Or I'm gonna give yer teeth back to you on a plate! <_< So's whats it gonna be?

are we gonna be Pal's? Or do ya want an all expense paid trip to see Dr. Smiley? I don't believe in beating around the bush say what you mean and mean what you say! Even if ya don't do the teeth approach at least show the guy you mean buisness, And lay it on the line! Good Luck!

[Eriks Red horse herd 122]

Tony I feel for you! I don't understand some peoples Mentality. I have a brother in law who treats his stuff extremely well, but when it comes to others he doesn't. Example: my father had a international 500 dozer (nice little machine) well my brother in law barrowed it to do final grade around his house. used her pretty hard to do more than final grading. Ran the oil low and some thing happened! well it sat out in his yard he said he get it fixed. My father in his 70's brought over a tarp to cover it. (she was always put to sleep in a barn all her life) so a year and a half later she still sat in the same place. Every time my father went to vist he always brought a tarp and it was always uncovered. My brother in law said that he need a tarp and used the one on the dozer. That just peved my father to no end! ( my father being a old carpenter and farmer is pretty mild and kind man.) final my father decided to sell his farm equipment at auction and he told my brother in law to get her runnning he's going to sell her. He pissed around, so my father asked me to go get her. When I final saw the old girl she did'nt look so hot! The yellow paint was'nt as shiney as she use to be, seat was torn in several places and cushion was soaked, need new battery, oil was full of water, had to pull the head, bent push rod , need new hyd hoses and worst of all clucth packs were frozen. After several oil changes , new push rod, battery, fuel pump and the azz end of dozer removed and clutch packs sand blasted and 3 weeks of work later she was running.

I'd expect that from my children not to take care of things but not from a grown man! over the years I've had other instences like that . when I accidently brake some thing thats not my own I replace or repair or even or even offer to buy new. Thats the way I was always brought up to do!

[Rideawaysenior 28]

That is some of the best advice I have heard in a while. Tony, listen to him on this. Everyone here knows especially you how much hard work goes into restoring and maintaining these machines. If I remember right from the pics, your loader was a pretty nice looking machine, and I'll bet it ran just as good. Tell the guy about it, let him know your slightly displeased with how you got it back.

This should be done after you ask to borrow his family car. As you return it all battered and muddied from driving it through the nearest corn field you can find at red line RPM speed, leave it in his drive and say, "Thanks, it did everything I needed it to and a little more." Then just walk away.

[wh500special 2,359]

Man, that sucks.

The shame is that in saving him $125 a day you cost yourself quite a bit in time, repairs, and frustrations.

I think we all have stories and know people to whom we won't lend things. One of my cousins has twice borrowed an outboard from me and returned it with a damaged propeller. I assumed the first time was an accident. The second time I knew it was carelessness...Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

I won't even let him borrow a match now.

I'm not a psychologist or sociologist, but I wouldn't initially take a confrontational approach since you have to work with this guy. Also, be mindful of what you say around the office since it will only make you look like a lesser person. Especially be mindful BEFORE he finds out you're not happy with how things went.

Quietly and calmly tell him how surprised you were at how damaged things were when you got the tractor back "Looks like you really got some use out of that thing. It's gonna take me a while to straighten things out. Glad it worked for you though." Try to keep it conversational and only bring it up secondarilly to discussing how much he enjoyed using the thing or how much work it saved him. Avoid passive aggression with your tone. He is probably appreciative that you let him borrow it and will try to make it right - or at least offer - if he can see that you're hurt with the damage.

It is possible the guy is clueless and has no idea he wrecked things. But getting in is face will only put up a wall since the natural response for all of us is to be come defensive when cornered. Don't be completely ambiguous either, but try to show disappointment in how things went. You DO have to say something though because if he ISN'T clueless your remaining mute will only reward his behaviour and might lead to problems at work too.

If that doesn't work you can always resort to being blunt. Kind of hard to go the other way. And since you work with him you're best served by maintaining a good relationship if you can.

I don't generally buy in to the whole "man is inately civilized" arguement. I'm more of a Lord of the Flies type of thinker. But I have found that more often than not I get the results I need by just letting people know what needs to be done politely. It seems that most people want to be cooperative and often just need a polite nudge to see what my expectations are.

When that doesn't work, I can become a ruthless, nasty, SOB. That's what some people need, but I still try to avoid it since the more often you get loud and "in your face" the less effective a tactic it becomes. I try to adjust my expections around the particular person. Since you say this is a very nice guy he might just be clueless that he screwed up. I can see my brother-in-law doing something like this and not realizing a thing. He's completely helpless w/o his wife and fits the absent minded professor stereotype to a "t". He is, indeed, a professor...

So, I suggest you find a way to express your disappointment in lending out your equipment. If the offer to help or show of concern seems absent, THEN you can tell turn up the heat incrementally as needed.

Then again, there are just those people who have no pride or respect for other people's belongings. Ever notice all the dented company owned trucks running around? Or the overspray and paint slopped all over municiple equipment? There are just a few people out there who just don't care and can make things miserable for the rest of us.

Hopefully your coworker isn't one of those guys.

Good luck and hate to see you're showing that no good deed goes unpunished.

Steve

[chazm 413]

Tony, I (all) feel for you - all I can say is, that sucks big time.

After reading all the post , I'm beginning to think it's a curse to be mechanically incline and taking pride in your equipment.

Either people breaking your stuff or bringing you their busted up stuff to fix and then not so much as a thank you. again that sucks.

So Monday,I was a little reluctant to help the neighbor lady, when she asked me if I would work on her Cub, but since her husband is in Iraq, I told her I would do her one better, by showing her 13 yr. son how to do it.

Well, he came over & been learning the "ropes" about oil & filter changing , greasing, pulling the deck & sharpening the blades. Along with taking pride it owning & maintaining your equipment, so it will last.

Last night, to my surprise, she came over to thank me for showing him how to work on the Cub.

Saying he hasn't been this excitied about something ,other than X-box, in a long time.

I know this was getting off subject some , but hopfully, he woun't turn out like all the neighbors that I've been reading about.

Best to all , Chaz :omg:

[travisg84 1]

That's horrible! I remember when I bought my house, I didn't have a mower yet and my dad let me use his horse for the first mow I was so afraid I would tear something up I mowed like 5 feet away from everything I'm not even sure I dropped the deck. When we were little we weren't even allowed to sit on it let alone mow with it.

[evanloock 236]

Duke after you used that approach, how long was your hospital stay?

Sorry about that Tony, but as they say "no good deed goes unpunished".

As an undergrad, I worked at Bright's Lawn Equipment. I heard many stories from people bringing in wrecked equipment that they had loaned it to a friend.

I would suggest if a friend needs help, either offer to go over and operate the equipment yourself, or allow the friend to operate the equipment under your supervision.

Hopefully your co-worker is simply ignorant of the damage he caused and once you make him aware of the situation he will compensate you for the damage.

If not, keep your receipts for parts and a log of your time for repairs and take him to small claims court.

Good luck.

[HorseFixer 2,013]

Duke after you used that approach, how long was your hospital stay?

Eric ~ if you have noticed I dont stay long in the hospital.

Another thing I don't do, is go on other tractor sites and talk about people behind their backs! <_<

[WHC-125 4]

Tony, I am sorry about what happened. Hope your horse gets well soon.

Wheelhorse101(Dan) is letting me borrow his C-81 with the loader to spread 10 yards of loom in my yard(So I will actually have some grass to mow ). Hopefully nothing happens. But he let someone else use it before me about a week ago and now one of the front tires that are only about 1 month old leak air.

Tony and Dan, I hope you are both reading this you both try and help everyone out and what do you get in return broken horses . You both deserve to have the 'previous operator" fix whats wrong because they are the ones that broke it.

[zieg72 209]

That's horrible! I remember when I bought my house, I didn't have a mower yet and my dad let me use his horse for the first mow I was so afraid I would tear something up I mowed like 5 feet away from everything I'm not even sure I dropped the deck. When we were little we weren't even allowed to sit on it let alone mow with it.

That is how I feel about my stuff. I know someone borrowed something of mine a long time ago and tore it up. So long ago I can't remember. Last weekend I let my 18 year old cut the back 1/2 acre or so for the first time, ever and he worked all last summer on a landscaping crew running big zero turns. I just know how easy it is to bash up against a tree and bend things out of shape. I always go with my stuff if I am to loan it. I have loaned my trailer out a couple of times and it came back with damage, but not is as important as the lawn equipment. I only borrow from my Dad or brother, between the 3 of us with the exception of a backhoe we pretty much have everything else covered. I treat all my stuff like they are my babies. Don't wash them like I should but they are maintained better than recommended by the book... They are no show pieces by any means, just reliable working machines...

[evanloock 236]

Bob: Ha ha ha......grow up!

Perhaps before you suggest someone commit assault over an incident like this you should keep in mind if you actually did something like that (which I REALLY doubt) you wouldn't be cleaning the jail, you would be a full time resident!

[HorseFixer 2,013]

:omg: Clean The Jail That is to funny! :drool:

[Coadster32 793]

There is a reason why they don't own good equipment and tools ,so don't supply them with yours.

Best thing I heard all day, and true, true, true.

100% behind you on this. I'd mention to him how hard you worked on it, and disapointed that you have to revisit it (guilt and truth). Also say that you don't think you can afford the repairs on it. Then give him the parts/repair bill when you're done, and firmly remind him that the bill was a ton cheaper then $125 a day. Of course the labor is your time, so what's that worth?? No real need to get uppety, as the egg is on his face. Then next year, if he has the nerve to ask again, put him through the ringer. I've had the same type of problem before also. This stategy worked for me. (without having a hospital trip)

WHC-125-- if you fixed the tire for him, and let him know you fixed it, it would speak volumes, and be well worth the 20 minutes.

[evanloock 236]

Bob lay off the sauce, its not good for your health. I'm not a personal injury attorney. I'm proud of what I do. You did state that you were the "custodian of the local jail" previously. Seems like I hit a nerve with you........Confidence issue? I guess a little "good natured ribbing" doesn't work when it's applied to you??!!!!

Please keep posting....my friends and I are throughly enjoying your posts on my iPhone. Laughter is good for the soul. We are in great spirits tonight thanks to you!!!!

(edit @ 12:23am 05/29/09) Hmmmm....see you erased the personal attacks in your 9:31pm post...i.e "blood sucking, ambulance chasing attorney looking for his next meal"....I guess I should've used the QUOTE function.....interesting.

[HorseFixer 2,013]

Joseph glad your being entertained! :omg:

[evanloock 236]

Oh that I am Bob.

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,691]

Guys,

I'm not sure what's in jest and what's not here and I don't care. Tony posted this thread to vent a little and to get some sympathy. But, I can see this getting a little out of hand. So I think this thread has run it's course and I'm closing it.