Where is Everybody?? - Low Activity

[RTR]

After starting messing with tractors around 2006 or so and getting heavy into it around 2010, I was on this forum everyday up until around 2020. Now I occasionally visit weekly as my knowledge has gained, gotten busier in my job, and stopped making a point to catch up on here. I've noticed this week with my 2 posts I've made that they have remained on the top page with the last replies made to them 2-3 days ago. It wasn't long ago (probably a year or two I'd say) that they would have been buried into the 3rd or 4th page within 2-3 days. Where is everyone???

Edit: After posting this I went to the main page to see how many people are currently on the forums. A little under 12,000 people currently on the forums right now with 136 being members. That is not that bad! I guess the posting is just down and most are reading......

 

[Powered By IH]

After starting messing with tractors around 2006 or so and getting heavy into it around 2010, I was on this forum everyday up until around 2020. Now I occasionally visit weekly as my knowledge has gained, gotten busier in my job, and stopped making a point to catch up on here. I've noticed this week with my 2 posts I've made that they have remained on the top page with the last replies made to them 2-3 days ago. It wasn't long ago (probably a year or two I'd say) that they would have been buried into the 3rd or 4th page within 2-3 days. Where is everyone???

Edit: After posting this I went to the main page to see how many people are currently on the forums. A little under 12,000 people currently on the forums right now with 136 being members. That is not that bad! I guess the posting is just down and most are reading......

I've only been on the forum for little over a year, but from what you describe in past years it is down.

I've noticed that the traffic on this particular board does ebb and flow though. Some weeks it's really busy, and other weeks like these past couple weeks it's been pretty dead.

During the summer it seems to be a lot busier though.

 

[urbancase]

yes i agree with you guys, however i not one of the guys that know everything on these tractors so i read more then post. and for the most part asking a question. they help me more then once.

 

[Charlie M]

We've had some frequent posters leave due to squabbles. I can't say if anything else is happening. I look at select forums a couple of times a day to see if anything interesting shows up but a lot of stuff here don't interest me and don't have anything to add to the conversation. I have found that googling a problem now with AI answering those questions has been very helpful a lot of times and not a need to come here to ask and sometimes get snarky answers. Guess I can't say why there is not more traffic.

 

[MeanGene1]

We've had some frequent posters leave due to squabbles. I can't say if anything else is happening. I look at select forums a couple of times a day to see if anything interesting shows up but a lot of stuff here don't interest me and don't have anything to add to the conversation. I have found that googling a problem now with AI answering those questions has been very helpful a lot of times and not a need to come here to ask and sometimes get snarky answers. Guess I can't say why there is not more traffic.

I think you touched on a couple things, and one tends to lead to the other- snarky answers. Some who have been around for a while seem to like to add a little snark into a situation when someone asks a question. The only dumb question is the one you're afraid to ask- and it's a shame that folks might hesitate to ask about something they don't know and asking for help at the risk of a snarky response. And if one objects to the snark, then comes the squabble. People ask questions for help, not to be insulted by the holier-than-though types

 

[RTR]

.............I have found that googling a problem now with AI answering those questions has been very helpful a lot of times and not a need to come here to ask and sometimes get snarky answers. Guess I can't say why there is not more traffic.

I have noticed that in the past month or so that Google AI is VERY helpful on finding a part number, serial number year made, etc. You do have to be careful with the answers but it is pretty cool to see how helpful and quick it is. Now that being said, we (the users of the forum and the existing posts) are one of the main contributors of AI knowing the answer to most of those questions!!

 

[RTR]

I think you touched on a couple things, and one tends to lead to the other- snarky answers. Some who have been around for a while seem to like to add a little snark into a situation when someone asks a question. The only dumb question is the one you're afraid to ask- and it's a shame that folks might hesitate to ask about something they don't know and asking for help at the risk of a snarky response. And if one objects to the snark, then comes the squabble. People ask questions for help, not to be insulted by the holier-than-though types

No kidding!

 

[RTR]

Something else to add.....alot of people are farmers and are out doing hay, harvest, etc. I get that, but there really has been more traffic and more posts even with that going on. I feel like alot of the "regulars" I am used to aren't here. Provided, that some of them may have passed on - but I wouldn't know as I only "know" most of them by a username and location.

I had looked back at some of my old posts from around 2011-2012 in my "hey day" here when it was pretty busy and wondered: Where are CKNS, JohnT , Jim Becker , sflem849 , tom fleming , mkirsch , janicholson , sgtbull , Dave H , rustyfarmall , bob m , wardner , and teddy52food ??

 

[ss55]

After starting messing with tractors around 2006 or so and getting heavy into it around 2010, I was on this forum everyday up until around 2020. Now I occasionally visit weekly as my knowledge has gained, gotten busier in my job, and stopped making a point to catch up on here. I've noticed this week with my 2 posts I've made that they have remained on the top page with the last replies made to them 2-3 days ago. It wasn't long ago (probably a year or two I'd say) that they would have been buried into the 3rd or 4th page within 2-3 days. Where is everyone???

Edit: After posting this I went to the main page to see how many people are currently on the forums. A little under 12,000 people currently on the forums right now with 136 being members. That is not that bad! I guess the posting is just down and most are reading......

Traffic on YT normally falls off during harvest, fall fieldwork, spring field work and planting. Things here will pick up again after the ground freezes.

 

[Powered By IH]

Something else to add.....alot of people are farmers and are out doing hay, harvest, etc. I get that, but there really has been more traffic and more posts even with that going on. I feel like alot of the "regulars" I am used to aren't here. Provided, that some of them may have passed on - but I wouldn't know as I only "know" most of them by a username and location.

I had looked back at some of my old posts from around 2011-2012 in my "hey day" here when it was pretty busy and wondered: Where are CKNS, JohnT , Jim Becker , sflem849 , tom fleming , mkirsch , janicholson , sgtbull , Dave H , rustyfarmall , bob m , wardner , and teddy52food ??

John T is here, Jim Becker is here, Janicholson very occasionally pops in, same with Bob M, teddy52food had some health issues earlier this year and has not posted since. All the others I have not seen in over a year.

 

[the tractior vet]

After starting messing with tractors around 2006 or so and getting heavy into it around 2010, I was on this forum everyday up until around 2020. Now I occasionally visit weekly as my knowledge has gained, gotten busier in my job, and stopped making a point to catch up on here. I've noticed this week with my 2 posts I've made that they have remained on the top page with the last replies made to them 2-3 days ago. It wasn't long ago (probably a year or two I'd say) that they would have been buried into the 3rd or 4th page within 2-3 days. Where is everyone???

Edit: After posting this I went to the main page to see how many people are currently on the forums. A little under 12,000 people currently on the forums right now with 136 being members. That is not that bad! I guess the posting is just down and most are reading......

US OLD GUYS are dying 0ff. . I have been on here for a LONG time like back into the 90's Back when we had Taler get togethers out a Slow Mo's farm out in Modoc In. Back when i still was fixing and buying and selling . Six years back i came close to getting the dirt nap. Less people taking interest in old tractors or playen in the dirt . Around here all the small dairy operations have left the chat. Some sold off the family farm gobbled up by the guys who wanted to get deeper in debt and more head achs . Others sold the cows and survive on limited grain farming with what equipment they kept for just doing crops . Old hay ground became crop ground and plugging away till they can't do it anymore then selling what is left . Three of my close friends that had small some what profitable 50-60 dairy operations and farmed with older equipment that was kept up got out when milk prices got to the point that it was costing more to produce then what income was coming in . One friend does custom butchering also runs a small Black Angus heard and 90 %of what he farms with he has bought from me 5% came from what i found him from other Jockey's . About a Month ago my one friend called and we were chatting and he said that next year will be his last if he can make it thru as his health is sliding . And he will be 80 . Eugene will be 75 . Vernon 70 John will be 69 . And as for young guys wanting to get into farming how can they when farms going up forsale around here are hitting the seven figure bracket and then ya add in the cost of equipment . Even if you bought used . I use to sell 706's a nice good gasser 35-4000 a diesel 45-6500 , could put you on a super sharp med hour 1066 for 8750 a low hour combine for under 5 K with both heads a no till planter from 45-6500 . Sold many 806 diesels in the 55-7000 range and one at 8750 . . o njow today ya find 250 acres that will cost ya north of 2 Mil. Three used tractors on in the 135 Hp range one in the 80-90 Hp range and one in the 50-70 hp range in really good shape your looking at 40-55000 a some what usable combine with both heads 30-60 K . 15-25 K for decent tillage two planters a small trailer type sprayer a brush hog a skid steer a couple grain trucks . Then add in everything else needed . Then ya call for your first load of diesel and for that ground to cover for the year your going to need around 2000 gallon at what 5.50 a gallon a grand for a 55 gallon drum of hyd. MINIMUM 110 gallon of engine oil and your going to make your debt load payment on 12 dollar beans and under four dollar corn . Back in 1969 i could have bought a 200 acre farm with 160 tillable for 32000 that needed work . It sold not long ago for 2.7 Mil. Back then while i was young i should have bought it . My mother talked me out of it as i was singal as i had just broken up with my girl friend and was in the process of moving out away from home . I was the only one other then my uncle that had the drive to farm . The young guy today does not stand a chance and besides where ya going to find young people that want to work like a dog 16-18 hours a day.

 

[bmaverick]

After starting messing with tractors around 2006 or so and getting heavy into it around 2010, I was on this forum everyday up until around 2020. Now I occasionally visit weekly as my knowledge has gained, gotten busier in my job, and stopped making a point to catch up on here. I've noticed this week with my 2 posts I've made that they have remained on the top page with the last replies made to them 2-3 days ago. It wasn't long ago (probably a year or two I'd say) that they would have been buried into the 3rd or 4th page within 2-3 days. Where is everyone???

Edit: After posting this I went to the main page to see how many people are currently on the forums. A little under 12,000 people currently on the forums right now with 136 being members. That is not that bad! I guess the posting is just down and most are reading......

1200 AI bots and agents. I would not focus on the 'guest' totals on the system.

Forums in the past 2 years has dropped significantly with posting and participating.

 

[RTR]

John T is here, Jim Becker is here, Janicholson very occasionally pops in, same with Bob M, teddy52food had some health issues earlier this year and has not posted since. All the others I have not seen in over a year.

Ok. Janicholson used to be on here every day and seemed to reply to most posts. Major contributor that I remember.

 

[SadFarmall]

Well, personally I'm not a fan of AI - it's the triumph of mediocrity and it's no community. Moreover, it is often plain wrong - it just cannot replace experience.
As to the tone of some responses - no doubt they do not encourage questions. In general, however, I've found very good help here and made some very good friends. This forum is the reason I visited friends in Iowa in 2024 and went to the Red Power Round Up, returning again in 2025 and this year, so I hope that people continue asking questions, receive good answers and sometimes meet in person.
SadFarmall

 

[RTR]

US OLD GUYS are dying 0ff. . I have been on here for a LONG time like back into the 90's Back when we had Taler get togethers out a Slow Mo's farm out in Modoc In. Back when i still was fixing and buying and selling . Six years back i came close to getting the dirt nap. Less people taking interest in old tractors or playen in the dirt . Around here all the small dairy operations have left the chat. Some sold off the family farm gobbled up by the guys who wanted to get deeper in debt and more head achs . Others sold the cows and survive on limited grain farming with what equipment they kept for just doing crops . Old hay ground became crop ground and plugging away till they can't do it anymore then selling what is left . Three of my close friends that had small some what profitable 50-60 dairy operations and farmed with older equipment that was kept up got out when milk prices got to the point that it was costing more to produce then what income was coming in . One friend does custom butchering also runs a small Black Angus heard and 90 %of what he farms with he has bought from me 5% came from what i found him from other Jockey's . About a Month ago my one friend called and we were chatting and he said that next year will be his last if he can make it thru as his health is sliding . And he will be 80 . Eugene will be 75 . Vernon 70 John will be 69 . And as for young guys wanting to get into farming how can they when farms going up forsale around here are hitting the seven figure bracket and then ya add in the cost of equipment . Even if you bought used . I use to sell 706's a nice good gasser 35-4000 a diesel 45-6500 , could put you on a super sharp med hour 1066 for 8750 a low hour combine for under 5 K with both heads a no till planter from 45-6500 . Sold many 806 diesels in the 55-7000 range and one at 8750 . . o njow today ya find 250 acres that will cost ya north of 2 Mil. Three used tractors on in the 135 Hp range one in the 80-90 Hp range and one in the 50-70 hp range in really good shape your looking at 40-55000 a some what usable combine with both heads 30-60 K . 15-25 K for decent tillage two planters a small trailer type sprayer a brush hog a skid steer a couple grain trucks . Then add in everything else needed . Then ya call for your first load of diesel and for that ground to cover for the year your going to need around 2000 gallon at what 5.50 a gallon a grand for a 55 gallon drum of hyd. MINIMUM 110 gallon of engine oil and your going to make your debt load payment on 12 dollar beans and under four dollar corn . Back in 1969 i could have bought a 200 acre farm with 160 tillable for 32000 that needed work . It sold not long ago for 2.7 Mil. Back then while i was young i should have bought it . My mother talked me out of it as i was singal as i had just broken up with my girl friend and was in the process of moving out away from home . I was the only one other then my uncle that had the drive to farm . The young guy today does not stand a chance and besides where ya going to find young people that want to work like a dog 16-18 hours a day.

Yep. You, SloMo, and Eugene are some others I meant to mention.

 

[RTR]

Well, personally I'm not a fan of AI - it's the triumph of mediocrity and it's no community. Moreover, it is often plain wrong - it just cannot replace experience.
As to the tone of some responses - no doubt they do not encourage questions. In general, however, I've found very good help here and made some very good friends. This forum is the reason I visited friends in Iowa in 2024 and went to the Red Power Round Up, returning again in 2025 and this year, so I hope that people continue asking questions, receive good answers and sometimes meet in person.
SadFarmall

I agree there! I've learned so much here, but have only met 1 or 2 from the forum over the years. I've been to 4 RPRUs. I just get worried about the traffic here and worried about all the people that have helped me over the years.

 

[61-4010]

I, like many of you, belong to numerous forums that include farming, equipment, trucks, etc and they are all seeing a reduction in activity. I suspect it is a combination of factors like mentioned above. I ebb and flow on this site as I'm working on equipment to restore and I find it still quite useful. But sadly many times I get snarky comments back like "why are you putting money/time into that old piece of equipment" instead of giving useful answers. See that more on posts than I should. Seems like you have to have thicker skin these days because of keyboard warriors.

Regardless, I do appreciate this forum and other forums and the collective knowledge that has really helped me over the years and hopefully I've been able to contribute good info as well. Let's keep the torch lit!!!

 

[Jim Becker]

I'm here. This is only my 5th post this week. My posts are almost always a response to another post. So, if others don't start a thread I decide to respond to, you won't hear from me. Also, rather than seeing a post and immediately starting to type, I am more inclined to think to myself that 18 other people are going to anyway. If I have something to add, I can do it later on. I think janicholson has similarly cut back, he seems to only post to very specific questions that will draw few responses.

I think the active populations on sites like this are dropping off for several reasons. This site has been around for 30 years or so. Since then, a number of active members have died off (including CNKS, Hugh MacKay). People new to this hobby are more inclined to go to one of the now-big sites like facebook. Those sites make it much easier to set up your own little world. They didn't exist when most sites like this were built.

Another thing is the fact that you can easily search this site for previously asked questions. It is hard to come up with a question that hasn't already been asked and answered. The AI searches seem to be making those searches more popular. If a search can find the answer right now, why bother to post a question and wait a day to see what responses you get?

 

[RTR]

I, like many of you, belong to numerous forums that include farming, equipment, trucks, etc and they are all seeing a reduction in activity. I suspect it is a combination of factors like mentioned above. I ebb and flow on this site as I'm working on equipment to restore and I find it still quite useful. But sadly many times I get snarky comments back like "why are you putting money/time into that old piece of equipment" instead of giving useful answers. See that more on posts than I should. Seems like you have to have thicker skin these days because of keyboard warriors.

Regardless, I do appreciate this forum and other forums and the collective knowledge that has really helped me over the years and hopefully I've been able to contribute good info as well. Let's keep the torch lit!!!

We have to keep the torch lit especially all the little details ive learned here I've forgotten since taking a 5-6 year slumber. I don't plan on stopping restoring these old tractors as I have around 150 of them still. I really hate that alot of the original posts from years ago were not able to be saved when they changed servers. Alot were , but alot werent and the photos with them were lost.

 

[bmaverick]

I run my own forum for the global Yanmar tractors. I'm the 3rd owner as it was passed down. I too see a drop and sometimes a quick peak rise to only drop again. We left Yahoo groups in late 2019 to GroupsIO when Verizon closed down the service. 35 years is a long time.

https://yanmar-tractor-owners.groups.io/g/main