Dave as a brand new member I don’t fully understand what you all are talking about and it really doesn’t matter. I have been seriously disappointed since I joined this group from the day I joined. It took almost a week just to gain accessibility to the forums. And compared to other forums there seems to be very little interest in posts or problems other posters have reguardless of the kind of problems there may be. This seems to be geared toward sales. But anyway I understand y’all’s frustration and I wish you the best. 

Hi, Mike Hudson.
I can't tell you anything about your inability to get access to the forums. That is an issue for the administrators.

How-wevver, there is a LOTTTTT of knowledge on this forum and most people share it readily and willingly. That said though, just how quickly you get an answer depends on just who sees your query and how much knowledge they have, not to mention whether or not the knowledge that they have relates to your post. F-rinstance, I have a fair understanding of the old gear controls in the older Cat graders - because I made it my business to find out back when I started out on them. BUTTTT, I don't now and never have called myself a mechanic and so have limited knowledge of the engines and transmissions in those machines.

Likewise, I have spent a LOTTTT of years 'pedalling' dozers around the planet and have a fair understanding of how to operate them but have somewhat less knowledge of their delicate innards. Because I started out on cable blades, I made it my business to know how to adjust them but have only limited knowledge of their insides.

I have ZERO experience of D2s or of the old gas crawlers and so keep my mouth shut about them as well.

The real 'treasures' of this site are mostly getting a bit longer in the fang and so may spend less time haunting the board here and maybe a bit more time running old movies on the backs of their eyelids - or 'meditating' in their favorite recliner/rocker.

My suggestion to all new members - be patient about getting an answer here on the board and also be prepared to look for it in the library - which is why the library was established.

Hope this helps

Just my 0.02.

Mr Plant thank you. I have recently had back surgery so I am not doing any physical work for a few more weeks. But I appreciate your concern for me, my machine. As for Administrative part of this the man explained he was a volunteer and it really does not matter.  You know in Life, a lot of it is influenced by expectations.  All is good here and it’s a pleasure to be able to speak with someone over the world. Mike Hudson 

Hi, Mike Hudson.
Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery from your surgery. Do EXACTLY what the doctors tell you. Then, if it doesn't work, you can SUE 'em. LOL.

Funny thing about forums like this, they tend to be communities that are not only interested in the machines and experiences that other members have or have found but also in the health and wellbeing of the members of the community.

We have lost a few old faces over the years and their presence is missed. I think all of the founding members of this club have now passed on, taking with them multiple treasure troves of knowledge and experience. That is, in large part, why the tech library was started, to try to prevent that knowledge and experience from being lost. I personally have collected a small amount of it over they years and have put it on pocket hard drives which I have given to various people within the club so that it ain't lost when I turn my last key or pull my last starting engine rope.

Just my 0.02.

Thank you Mr Plant. I doing fine for this type operation. Only stayed one day in the hospital but the pain came on about four days afterward. But hopefully the end result will be a normal 69 year old man with big ideas. I’m sure the founders of this forum were real champs and givers. And that’s a trait that leaves by generations . In this part of the world we have utube tv. And it has every video that was posted in the library on this site and I just thought this site is giving us the sleeve out of our vest. But people were really impressed. Maybe everyone don’t have utube. But sir enjoy your day and thank you for the well wishes. As you say that’s my .02. Mike Hudson

Kurk maybe as the vintage machines phase out the club will also. I love my old Caterpillars.  But some are in them for the money. I feel my old cat will long out live me. But I was more passionate for the club looking in. And the club may be non profit but I assure you the sales from the eyes looking are great. That’s my take but I am still new and just a poor boy with a toy down here in Mississippi. I do luv firing up that pony motor for my grand kids. Long live the club! Mike Hudson 

all clubs have that problem. the sumwunelsewilldoit mentality sadly not to many sumwunelse's come along.

the old machinery club i was part of had that issue and the committee became a little burnt out and disillusioned.

thats why i think it can be helpful to have maximum terms for committee positions and no its not you cant have a stint later but more guarantee you get fresh blood on the committee and people get a break. and you dont get fiefdoms and cliques as much either.

I agree trainzkid. When I signed in it was difficult for them to set me up to use System would not let me. The person on the phone with me was very blunt. Expressed he was a volunteer almost to the point he was bitter about it. When you get off on the wrong foot it hard to not have hurt feelings and it takes from the enjoyment of the use of the site. My lesson from this whole ACMOC is if I ever volunteer for anything, is to volunteer with a good attitude or not volunteer. My tour on here will be brief and I will not allow any bad attitudes to spill over on me. I have had my ears pinned back by members and that ok as long as we all gain. I have been ignored and it’s not fun when you are sincere and offer what you have even if it’s only encouragement. As one poster says, that’s my .02 cents worth. Happy wrench pulling to all! Mike Hudson