(ET) www.elec-trak.org

["Don Barry" <Don Barry kmtc com>]

Jim,

I liked both the sites, especially the cub cadet one. I'd like to see our 
group get to something like that someday. I too want to keep the site 
free. The WWW site costs $240/year, plus another $60 for the domain 
registration. I've got the WWW site pad up for a year, and the domain for 
two. I don't have any problem supporting that effort, as the value of the 
discussion is more than worth it.

I think most of us know that Bill Gunn is interested in selling his 
business, and he's the GOD of elec-trak parts and knowledge. Ideally, I'd 
like to get the WWW site looking good enough, and then offer Bill an ad 
for free. We've got to help him find the right buyer for his company, as 
that's in our long-term interest, too. I think a good and active WWW site 
will "attract" other old-tractor-parts-and-service companies, and 
hopefully find a good fit. What do you think?

One of the thoughts was this summer see if two or three of us could go 
visit Bill, and do an interview for the WWW site. I'm sure Bill has loads 
of lore to tell....

Many folks have emailed me that they have brocures and some dealer manual. 
I don't know if Bill sells the actual dealer manual or not. I do know he 
sells the owner's service manual 'cuz that's where I got mine. I'd love to 
get as many manuals scanned in and published as I can (but I don't want to 
hurt Bill's business). He did okay the parts manual being published, as he 
doesn't sell it anymore.

Don

Don Barry
Infrastructure Manager, IT
Kirby Corporation
E-Mail: don barry kmtc com
Phone: 713-435-1032
Fax: 713-435-1070

>>> "Jim Bloomstrand" <Buicktruck email msn com> 03/21/01 01:00PM >>>
Don,

Here are the web sites:  www.ihcubcadet.com and www.simpletractors.com .
The forum on the Cub Cadet site charges for placing ads and pictures.  I
believe it is $30.00 for six months.  The Simple TrACtors site is totally
free for the users, but they do require that you register to use the ads 
and
discussion mainly to keep track of who is using this site.  I prefer this
method.  I have not paid to use the Cub Cadet site as you can use the open
discussion and email members without subscribing.

Jim


-----Original Message-----
From: Don Barry <Don Barry kmtc com>
To: Buicktruck email msn com <Buicktruck email msn com>
Date: March 21, 2001 12:18 PM
Subject: Re: Elec-Trak Site


Jim,

Thanks for the info.. do you have the URL's for those sites you mentioned??

>>> "Jim Bloomstrand" <Buicktruck email msn com> 03/21/01 12:15PM >>>
Hi Don,

Glad to see someone has started a site for the Elec-trak.  Your off to a
great start.  My name is Jim Bloomstrand and I am located in Illinois.  I
have an E-15 with the front mower deck that I aquired last year.  The
condition is not as good as what you started with.  I have not done very
much with it yet, as it came without batteries and I have other garden
tractors that I am in the process of restoring (I currently have over a
dozen of the gas model garden tractors of various makes.  I was told where 
I
could find 2 of the New Idea electric tractors similar to the E-15 GE.  I
looked at them on Monday, but there are no mowers or other options with 
them
and the condition is rough with outside storage.  The initial price is very
high for the condition, but I know the individual and plan to work at
getting them at a reasonable price.  Also, I have a lead on another GE
Elec-Trak.  I have a fairly complete GE dealer manual and several different
brochures for the GE models including an early brochure that shows
preproduction tractors and mowers that are mock-ups--the mowers have "fake"
motors with no wiring and hand-made decks--typical of early brochures. I am
sure Bill Gunn has all the information that was put out on these units.  I
also have brochures on the Wheel Horse versions and the later electrified
gas model Wheel Horse as well as brochures on the New Idea model 
Elec-Traks.
You may want to look at the IH Cub Cadet web site and the AC-Simplicity
"Simple TrACtors" web site as these are both excellent collector sites for
garden tractors.  I use these all the time.

Jim