Knowledge

[Astrowing]

I have learned more in the last 2 months than I thought possible. How did folks do this in the old days? Talk to a neighbor that has a similar tractor or someone at the feedstore or the dealer I guess? You just didn't get a bunch of pictures showing the detail you needed and detailed descriptions of some of the procedures that might be just one sentence in the manual. Thanks everyone!

[Scrivet]

In the old days, aka BI (before internet) is why we have so many of those "wonderful" PO fixes.

[randallc]

Well, as I remember things, a lot of folks grew up on small farms, had old trucks and cars they worked on often if they wanted to use them. Learned everything you could from a experience, figuring out how something worked, a neighbor, local mechanic or friend, and would really read the manuals that came with new equipment. Used equipment was normally without manual or instructions. So most usually you had one choice if something broke you needed to use: fix it or do without it: Didn't matter if it was correct, according to todays critics, but what mattered, did it work. A lot of temporary fixes were dragged out to almost become permanent. Bailing wire was a must, but you could probably find it hanging on a fence.
But, I like this forum, the internet, youtube, and craigslist. I love the information that has and is being shared on this forum by so many great folks.

[Matt Kirsch]

Back in the day, you didn't learn as much as you "figger'd things out."

This is where most farmer fixes came from, and most of the misconceptions and odd notions people have about things.

[Eugene]

US military has had maintenance personnel and instruction prior to and since WWI. After each World War there were a lot of trained and experienced returning mechanics.

Old service and technical manuals had excellent theory of operation as well as detailed diagnosis sections.

Where each individual learned his/her mechanical skills is difficult to determine. Everyone will have a different story. Example: My father in-law started working at a Ford dealership when he was 14 years old cleaning parts. Uncle learned from hired hands with mechanical expertise - - - lot of farm hands were very good mechanics. My dad was an Oliver mechanic as well as a farmer.

Edit: My Dad took some type of instruction provided by the US Government after WWII. He received a small stipend for taking the course(s).