Discussion Follow Up

Howdy
Just thought I would write and tell how much I enjoyed yesterdays discussion about C-mans problem, he did reply and has fixed the problem.
(idle too fast) I have read every post and reply since I signed on in July, my background is strictly automotive and the M is my first tractor. (worked for wages on a farm starting when I was 12 years old, didnt think I liked it till I spent the next 50 years working indoors)
Anyway 90% of what you guys talk about is new to me and when I get a chance to add my 2 cents worth I have to jump in.
The only thing I dont like is when some first time user asks a simple question somebody will reply--Go Buy a Book--and dont bother us experts.
Not QV but you know what I mean. It dont cost anything to be polite and that is why I enjoyed our little discussion about C-mans tractor.
Thanks
Bob S.

I don't like posts that tell people to just go buy a manual either. Sure, it is a good thing to have a manual, but this forum is a place we can get answers to our questions. I've learned a lot from everyone on this forum and I try to help people too. This is a great site.

Andy

Hey Andy
I did buy the Operators and IT manuals so far, a lot of things are pretty vague in them, talking to someone who knows first hand is a lot more helpful at times, keep up the good work.
Meant to ask you in the past, our local high school has a Drive Your Tractor To School Day, pretty neat, does your school have such an event?
Bob S.

I hear ya on the manual issue. I don't really care for the cranky "Get the manual!) posts much either, but will admit to being tempted to put one up every now and then. Every now and then there'll be somebody find us and want fluid capacities and specs, locations of drain and fill plugs, valve clearances, point gaps, valve stem-to-guide and ring-end clearances, crank journal and bearing tolerances . . . all in one post. That can be a little annoying, as anyone going that far into a motor and possessing the tools to measure the tolerances needs to have the manuals at hand.

No shame in having manuals or using them. I've been fortunate to take a crank for a 123 to a shop that actually does the turning (as opposed to the local shop where you drop it off and they send it out). Even that guy uses a manual (as thick as a Manhattan telephone book) to look up the specs for the shaft.

Most of the rare times that I've been tempted to get short with my answer, someone has already landed on them, and I really don't see any need to pile on. And bein' one to assume the best about anyone at the outset (sometimes to my detriment in the end!), it's altogether possible that the people asking couldn't imagine that there are even manuals still available for the sixty-year-old tractor that justed moved into their yard.

I don't think most folks around here mind answering basic questions at all. Some are just simple and easily answered, and why wouldn't you just answer them simply? If it sounds like they're asking a simple question but are about to get in over their heads, then, yes I'll suggest they get a manual, and go so far as to suggest which ones I think they might find most helpful for what they're tryng to do. Operator's manual is great for just going through a newly acquired tractor and routine maintenance once it's running. If they're contemplating pulling the head or getting into the guts of the governor, for instance, or getting into the drive train beyond a free-play adjustment the the I&T or the Blue Ribbons are better, and maybe a Parts Catalog.

That said, we do have our cranks around here like any other board but, for the most part, I think we still have a good mix of newbies getting good answers to basic questions, more experienced folks helping with trouble-shooting problems, and sharing experience that isn't in the manuals.

By having a manual you have the correct info and also wiring guide and some of the info on here is not always the best. You cant go wrong sith the I@T manual.

(quoted from post at 22:06:19 10/14/08) I don't like posts that tell people to just go buy a manual either. Sure, it is a good thing to have a manual, but this forum is a place we can get answers to our questions. I've learned a lot from everyone on this forum and I try to help people too. This is a great site.

Andy

Click to expand...

I don't like telling people to go get a manual either. But, "All things in moderation, please." We get guys on here who want US to be their manual by answering ALL their service and specification questions. I try to answer someone's questions and also suggest they and their tractor would benefit from a manual. But, after a while, if they are still asking the same service related questions, I then consider them "users" and I either quit answering them or tell them they need to go buy a manual.
mike

Amen!

No, I do my School at home.

Andy