bmac
Veteran Member
Disclaimer: Nothing in this post is intended to be critical of PT or the PT community.
Aside from a few recent posts in the Rural Living forum(about chickens, of all things), I've not spent much time on TBN lately. Tonight, I had some free time and wanted to see what was happening with the PT enthusiasts. Its as if time has been standing still.
I happened upon TBN back in 2002 when I was thinking about getting my first tractor. I posted some questions in the "conventional" tractor forums, not knowing that anything else existed. Periodically, I'd see a post by some maverick who went by the name of Moss Road who would chime in on the merits of his quirky (to me, any way) little green machine called a Power Trac. Eventually, curiosity got the best of me so I started reading the posts in this forum.
After spending many hours reading and posting questions, I thought I was ready to join the PT fraternity. However, in the end, I chickened out and went Blue. After that, I spent less time in the PT forum, with only an occassional visit to see if anything new was happening.
Here it is now, about 5 an 1/2 years after my first visit and as I read the posts its like I've been in a state of suspended animation. Now, in all fairness, were I to go back to the NH forum, I'd probably find the same thing. But, after making my purchase, I really spent very little time in the blue area. So, I really wouldn't know for sure what's different or the same there.
But here, time seems to have stood still. Moss is still professor emeritus - superbly moderating the discussions, chiming in with his advice from years of PT experience. PT owners still praising and cursing their machines in the same breath. Folks making mods that would put Rube Goldberg to shame. Terry is still the only guy at PT HQ who has a clue. QC issues at the PT factory are still present. PT still doesn't use e-mail. I could probably go on with other examples.
The neat thing to me about this is that there is such a bond between the PT users and their machines that, despite the issues with the PT business model, QC, etc. you guys remain ever faithful. I can't imagine any other tractor company (or car company or any kind of company) that would have stayed in business under similar conditions. I think this speaks volumes about the uniqueness and value of this product. That despite the shortcomings, nothing else will do things quite the same as the PT (at the same price point, anyway).
I earlier referred to the PT fraternity. I truly look at you folks as a brothehood, of sorts. Sticking together, helping one another, collaberating on ideas for improvements / modifications. I think its great.
So, a tip of the hat to the PT owners on TBN. I have and still enjoy the antics here and will still pop in from time to time. My prediction is that, in another 5 an 1/2 years, Terry will still be the only one at PT who has a clue, they still won't use e-mail, there will still be metal shavings in the hydraulic tanks when PTs leave the factory, Moss Road will still be the voice of reason here and you folks will still love your Power Tracs.
Oh, and I still wish I had the courage and mechanical skills necessary to own one of these quirky machines.
Aside from a few recent posts in the Rural Living forum(about chickens, of all things), I've not spent much time on TBN lately. Tonight, I had some free time and wanted to see what was happening with the PT enthusiasts. Its as if time has been standing still.
I happened upon TBN back in 2002 when I was thinking about getting my first tractor. I posted some questions in the "conventional" tractor forums, not knowing that anything else existed. Periodically, I'd see a post by some maverick who went by the name of Moss Road who would chime in on the merits of his quirky (to me, any way) little green machine called a Power Trac. Eventually, curiosity got the best of me so I started reading the posts in this forum.
After spending many hours reading and posting questions, I thought I was ready to join the PT fraternity. However, in the end, I chickened out and went Blue. After that, I spent less time in the PT forum, with only an occassional visit to see if anything new was happening.
Here it is now, about 5 an 1/2 years after my first visit and as I read the posts its like I've been in a state of suspended animation. Now, in all fairness, were I to go back to the NH forum, I'd probably find the same thing. But, after making my purchase, I really spent very little time in the blue area. So, I really wouldn't know for sure what's different or the same there.
But here, time seems to have stood still. Moss is still professor emeritus - superbly moderating the discussions, chiming in with his advice from years of PT experience. PT owners still praising and cursing their machines in the same breath. Folks making mods that would put Rube Goldberg to shame. Terry is still the only guy at PT HQ who has a clue. QC issues at the PT factory are still present. PT still doesn't use e-mail. I could probably go on with other examples.
The neat thing to me about this is that there is such a bond between the PT users and their machines that, despite the issues with the PT business model, QC, etc. you guys remain ever faithful. I can't imagine any other tractor company (or car company or any kind of company) that would have stayed in business under similar conditions. I think this speaks volumes about the uniqueness and value of this product. That despite the shortcomings, nothing else will do things quite the same as the PT (at the same price point, anyway).
I earlier referred to the PT fraternity. I truly look at you folks as a brothehood, of sorts. Sticking together, helping one another, collaberating on ideas for improvements / modifications. I think its great.
So, a tip of the hat to the PT owners on TBN. I have and still enjoy the antics here and will still pop in from time to time. My prediction is that, in another 5 an 1/2 years, Terry will still be the only one at PT who has a clue, they still won't use e-mail, there will still be metal shavings in the hydraulic tanks when PTs leave the factory, Moss Road will still be the voice of reason here and you folks will still love your Power Tracs.
Oh, and I still wish I had the courage and mechanical skills necessary to own one of these quirky machines.
