you know, I've been where your at before. I wanted to quit several times just cause it gets old and I was just sick of doing it. Then there would be something or someone that would renew my enthusiasm and I'd be ok for a while. I dont even like to post that much.
Things can get frustrating at times, with many ups and downs that come and go like ocean waves breaking on the shore. With each incoming wave, a surge of enthusiasm leads to a burst of new progress and/or updates, but inevitable lulls (or interruptions) only serve to do the exact opposite. Add to that the burden of maintaining a long-running forum thread, and things only get more... complicated. Suffice it to say that anyone who has been a member of a forum for very long will know exactly what I'm referring to.
Don't get me wrong, I continue to have ample enthusiasm about the completion of my restoration project, and while I've shared a great deal of information during the course of this thread, I also believe that things could could have been much... better. Normally, I like to go into exquisite detail, but there are times when it just doesn't seem to be worth the effort so I often limit myself to posting much less information and/or updates than I might have done otherwise.
You and I may be cut from the same cloth. We think, oh I'll just fix this and that to make it reliable then use the crap out of it. Then the thought of well I might as well repair or replace the hydro pump, pto seal, brakes, tie rods, bearings, clutch, front pivot bushings etc: the list goes on. Then I say heck I may as well tear it down and do it right. It wont cost much more anyhow (you know it will cost more, your just in denial). Then in the middle of the project, (that's taken longer than you thought cause life got in the way) you ask yourself, what in the heck did I do this for? I could be or been using this thing by now or the whole time instead of creating a parts tractor.
Projects like this often take on a life of their own, and despite knowing better it's easy for one to fool themselves into believing it will cost much less than it really will, but despite knowing better we often choose to do it anyway. Overall, I can't really say that I regret my decision to restore my tractor, but do believe I could have made better decisions along the way. Like they say, hindsight is 20/20.
Then with all people like us we have that sentimental bug hit us just in time. It takes our mind back to a simpler place and time (old rural wheat field or hay field with partly cloudy skies. Wind blowing lightly no worries, just you and that tractor. The smell of fresh cut grass, alfalfa, sage grass and the occasional bull thistle. The slight tinge of freshly greased parts with a whiff of rubber from the hot tire baking in the sun all combine to hit you), letting you know you are happy and living a great life.. A damned lucky person if you will. At that moment I'm then anxious to get going and get it done so I can get to that great place in my mind. All the while whistling dont worry be happy.(J/K) I for one knowing how difficult it is to work and document.
Being somewhat of a sentimental person myself, I can definitely relate to things that take me back to a simpler time or place. While conducting research about Massey Ferguson tractors I've learned much more about the past than I could have ever imagined, and as I work on restoring my own MF-135 tractor I often imagine what life must have been like for the people who built and used these older tractors. Much more personal memories of long-dead friends or family members often come to mind as well.
I hope you always do a build thread. There's such valuable info to be learned. Even though I'm a good mechanic I still learn new things. Little procedures or tips/tricks I didnt know before. Maybe a new product or new vendor. Plus I meet a new friend. Integrity and morals are not found very often. You have them and hope you stick around to keep us living in the past, present and future.
Learning new things is never a bad thing, and anyone who thinks they know it all is only fooling themselves. In my case, I rarely ask questions because I like finding the answers on my own, but I never stop learning if I can help it. In fact, I've recently learned one of the most valuable lessons of all... Take nothing for granted and enjoy life, while you still can.
Sorry if that song is now stuck in your head. LOL
Oh, and about that song. This is the last thing I ever imagined I'd be posting to this thread, but it somehow seems appropriate. Here's a video so everyone else can get it stuck in their heads too. :laughing: