I'm sorry you got a bad impression of these guys. I've found nothing but help on this forum, and really enjoy reading posts from the people that you seem to have the most problems with. Most of us work on equipment all the time, so what your doing isn't "rocket science" to most these guys. They've worked on far bigger stuff, probably in worse shape.
Not too many would be willing to tackle this, because they know its going to be a ton of work, and the $ numbers don't usually work. You state that you want a "big boy toy", well - most of us are just trying to make $ with our machines, so we take a little different view. The numbers might work for a hobbiest, but they don't work for someone that needs to make $ on it.
had to run around this week trying to find open-end wrenches that are big enough for these hose connections. I have a good collection of tools but nothing this large. I finally found all wrench sizes except the biggest -- 42mm (1 11/16"), so I'm just using my big pipe wrench for those. The connections are very tight, but when I overcome its breaking strength, *SNAP* it then unscrews easily.
When I read that- I thought " here we go". Most guys that tackle a project like this, have some of the right tools and equipment. Not everything, but some stuff. Not that you can't take in a idler with a scissor jack from your toyota's trunk, but it wouldn't be what most of us would use. And I somewhat doubt you " overcame the breaking strength" of the hose fittings. Breaking strength has a little different meaning to most of us.
It's just kind of obvious from the posts you've made, that you don't do this everyday, a lot of these guys do. No one minds watching through pictures, and we all like to throw some things out, but if you think that any of these posts are out of line and moderators should step in, maybe its you that's kind of sensitive.
I thought the cribbing looked a little dodgy myself, and I usually think "if I don't say something, and he has that thing land on him, I won't sleep, so I'm just going to point it out." I don't think they're trying to say your a idiot, they're just trying to sleep well knowing they've said something.
I think you are missing out on a great resource here, Nige and khansen in particular, have both devoted lots of time to people with problems, with little thanks.
Sorry you didn't get what you were looking for in the forum. I don't think anyone was trying to "run the new guy" off- I think they were really trying to help. Maybe a hobby farmer site/ forum would be a better fit. Or just facebook it and make it so no one can comment on it. You can be your own moderator.