[alsparl]

I have read this thread and really appreciate the manner and honesty in how it was written along with all the responses. I am a collector of another full size tractor brand as well. In fact, I probably bleed prairie gold more than IH red; it is my love and my passion above all other material possessions.

I hope and pray we never get to a point in the Cub Cadet world that I perceived we arrived to in that world: club/members split, the "old guard" not willing to share information nor sell parts to the "up and coming crew," the "old guard" dies off and with it hundreds of years of knowledge, auctions send parts a million different directions because of hoarding and unwillingness to sell, etc.

Without working together and sharing information, regardless of how many times it has been asked or a point written, the hobby and brand will die. The availability of knowledge and parts are two of the biggest factors that will continue to draw the younger kids to the hobby, to this brand; it was and still is to me.

At nearly 40, I don't have the time to search endless hours on the net for an answer, a part, etc. when I hope and pray one of our awesome forum members will share their years of knowledge. So far, I have been completely humbled, pleased, and very thankful for what has been shared with me.

Thank you all for everything and for this forum.