Lending/borrowing a log splitter

I just got mine, but doubt I'd ever lend it out. I might bring it to a friends and help a little while he rolls and stacks the splits afterwards. Definitely not to a stranger for money.

I know a few people who I'd let use my splitter without hesitation. I don't think I'd ever lend or rent it out to anyone I didn't know anything about. And if I knew enough about them to feel comfortable letting them use it, I'd probably just let them use it. Rick

I wouldn't let mine out of my sight. Wherever it goes, I go. Of course there would have to be beer if the weather is warm or home made apple pie if not.

I lent mine out to a good friend for 3 weeks to put up his wood. Mostly big oak. I trust him...But would not normally let others use it, as i have been burned years ago by a work aquantaince , who borrowed it without me knowing he was in the firewood selling business. He used and abused it. Since then , only a couple really good friends have used it. and that was almost 20 years ago.

I never lend my splitter out. I will gladly bring it anywhere for a share of the finished product.

Many years ago too many disappointing experiences with even good friends, lead me to develop a position of never lending to anybody for any reason, my tools, CD's, videos, guns, cookware, clothing, or vehicle. There could even be a liability issue if one were to lend potentially dangerous items to anybody, even good friends, without discussing and providing them with written instructions for their safe use.

Here is something from the boating industry which might make you think: A boat is legally defined as a "vessel". Some maritime and US Coast Guard case law has found that if you take a friend(s) boating in your boat(vessel) and have them "chip-in" for the fuel, they then become a "passenger" (legal term) on your vessel because they have paid you a fee. As a "passanger" they have a right to expect that you, as the owner of the "vessel" have all the necessary safety equipment on board; fire extinguishers, life jackets, etc., and that you have instructed all "passengers" in the proper use of that equipment. They also have a right to expect that you know and understand the maritime "Rules of the Road" for your region. One might think this whole thing is silly and it might indeed be so until there is an accident involving injury or damage to personal property. Once lawyers become involved friendships disintegrate and things become very expensive and very nasty very quickly.

This same scenario might apply if a friend uses your log splitter and suffers personal injury because you did not instruct him/her in the proper and safe use of that equipment whether they paid you a fee of not. If the log splitter comes back with a leaking seal or a broken hose, who is responsible for the repair? This latter issue almost became an issue with a "good" friend about ten years ago. A similar situation occured with another 'good" friend about twenty years ago. That one cost me $3,000.

I totally agree with northof54th's philosophy: I will haul my splitter to your place and help you split if you will give me a small part of our effort.

Since moving back east four years ago I have rekindled an old friendship and he has proven to be very reliable and conscientious. I do not hesitate to let him use certain tools or vehicles.

Shakespeare's Hamlet, 1603:

LORD POLONIUS:
Neither a borrower nor a lender be;
For loan oft loses both itself and friend,
And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.

Occasionally I've lent mine out to my very good friends. No difference than if they need to borrow my car besides our American splitter is pretty much bullet proof. If something should happen I'll know they'll make good on it...as far as renting it to anyone just for profit, NO.

About he only thing I don't lend out is the chain saws, motorcycle and guns.

in my 30+ years of retail & "the wood business" .......if it were'nt for loaning and theft, i would have been OUT OF BUSINESS A LONG TIME AGO !

Id lend my out (just a few friends left after 43 years) I think iam safe with a log splitter but ask for my saw you will get anonther answer.

fyrwoodguy said:

in my 30+ years of retail & "the wood business" .......if it were'nt for loaning and theft, i would have been OUT OF BUSINESS A LONG TIME AGO !

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What are you saying, that you borrowed and stole splitters to stay in business?

I also live by another rule when it comes to borrowing and / or lending things out. If you have to borrow something 2 times - buy it the 3rd time. Apparently you I need it. I often use this as I guide to things that i am considering to buy as well.

northof54th said:

I also live by another rule when it comes to borrowing and / or lending things out. If you have to borrow something 2 times - buy it the 3rd time. Apparently you I need it. I often use this as I guide to things that i am considering to buy as well.

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That seems to me to be a pretty reasonable rule. It has a flip side, too. My darned nephew, who lives about 3 miles from me, borrowed my little Remington electric chain saw to do some pruning. That was like 6 months ago. I'm thinking I'll just buy myself a new one. That one kept leaking out all its bar & chain oil anyway...he can have it. :coolsmirk: Rick

I fell into the "borrower" catagory, as this was my first year burning. I have access to all the wood I can cut, but spliting was holding me up. I bought wood from a neighbor this year, and he's been kind enough to allow me to use his splitter a few times to work on my own stash for next year. I make sure its always returned full of gas, and clean. A case of beer accompanies the splitter when I return it. I apprecieate my neighbors generosity, and want to maintain a good relationship. In the rural area where I live, neighors are pretty good at helping each other out. I WILL be getting my own as soon as $$ permits, probably in the spring.

northof 54th, your rule about borrow/rent twice and buy the third time is a good one. I am not as patient as you. If I need a tool and don't own one, and can't borrow or rent one within an hour, I buy one on the internet. I spend more money that way but I will always have the tool when needed after that. I will be building my hearth within the next month or so and do not have any tile tools. If my reliable friend doesn't have what I need or can't put his hands on it within a day I'll just go out and purchase what I need. It will cost me less to buy my own tools than it will to hire someone to do the work.

Fossil, tell your nephew that you were going to divorce him as your nephew but you love him so much you will just give him that little Remington because he was not going to return it anyway.

wccountryboy, When a guy returns a borrowed tool full of fuel and cleaner than when he borrowed it, he develops a reputation for reliability. My trustworthy friend is like that and I cannot think of all the favors we have done for each other without a penny ever changing hands. It's nice to know that there are still many people who place a value on reliability.

Best wishes and good health to all.

John_M

wccountryboy said:

I fell into the "borrower" catagory, as this was my first year burning. I have access to all the wood I can cut, but spliting was holding me up. I bought wood from a neighbor this year, and he's been kind enough to allow me to use his splitter a few times to work on my own stash for next year. I make sure its always returned full of gas, and clean. A case of beer accompanies the splitter when I return it. I apprecieate my neighbors generosity, and want to maintain a good relationship. In the rural area where I live, neighors are pretty good at helping each other out. I WILL be getting my own as soon as $$ permits, probably in the spring.

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heck you can borrow mine anytime!

My brother and I went halves on the splitter. I get the better end of the deal since he has a boiler and doesn't split too much. We only let one person borrow it and that is Dad. It comes back cleaner the gas tank topped off!

John_M said:

...Fossil, tell your nephew that you were going to divorce him as your nephew but you love him so much you will just give him that little Remington because he was not going to return it anyway...

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Aw, he's a good kid, and real busy (ex-EMT, now a PA w/wife who's a nurse & two toddlers). To his credit, he borrowed my old rototiller last year and brought it back all shined up like new. I know where he lives. If I cared about that saw, I'd just go get it. I'd sooner he kept it, actually. :lol: Rick

Triple A said:

It comes back cleaner the gas tank topped off!

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A friend once borrowed my Arctic Cat sled to haul several moose out of the bush. It was in good shape and the tank was topped off when he picked it up. When I got it back, the tank was empty and the steering shaft was bent. He never even offered me a pound of moose meat.

Whenever I rent or borrow something, I always return it in better shape than I get it.

Family & close friends only... like my sig says...

LLigetfa said:

...and the steering shaft was bent...

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Oh, and then he had the audacity to complain that he almost ran into a tree. The moron... it was his own stupidity to let slush build up and then freeze around the steering linkages.

Don't lend things to morons. They might hurt themselves and sue you!

Good posts, covering all the aspects. I usually just rent a splitter for a weekend, $60. cash. It is returned gassed up and clean. Been doing this for years. I lend some tools, but am always hesitant, in my mind anyway. The way I see it is , you work hard for the $$ to buy the tools and you are trusting that person with your $$. I hate borrowing things I know I should have also.
The beer/food/wood on shares trade thing is big in my area as well.