My grandfather bought a steam driven tractor, it was part cash part barter. They were large and cumbersome. But they allowed the farmer to get on the field sooner than those using horses. They didn't need to be feed or watered or rested. They just worked and worked. And my grandfather did just that. When he was done with his own small 100 acre farm, he drove down the road to help other farmers get their fields plowed, disc-ed, harrowed and planted weeks before others.
This ability, increased the farmers time for other tasks. It allowed them to give their crops extra grow-time and have an earlier harvest.
Because my grandfather took the risk, others profited. And his foresight helped his neighbours as well as himself.
If it had failed, he would have lost, but because it succeeded, he was applauded.
My father did the same thing. he bought a D2 Caterpiller tractor which he used on his and my uncles fields, thereby leaving much time to do 'custom work' for other farmers. He helped them. They paid him. My family gained. No one lost.
I find myself proud of both of them for this.
There's nothing quite like being born with mud between your toes. (although it was a bit hard on mom)