PeteB

A Japanese company (Toyota) and and American company (Ford) decided to have a canoe race on the Missouri River. Both teams praticed long and hard to reach their peak performance before the race. On the day the Japanese won by a mile. The Americans, being very discouraged and depressed, decided to investigate the crushing defeat. A management team made up of senior management was formed to investigate and recommend appropriate action. Their conclusion was that the Japanese had 8 people rowing and one steering whilst the Americans had 8 steering and 1 person rowing. Feeling a deeper study was in order the American management hired a consulting company and paid them a large amount of money for a second opinion. They advised of course, that too many where steering and not enough rowing. Not sure on how to utilise this information the Americans decided that in order to beat the Japanese they would crew thus, 4 steering supervisors, 3 area steering superintendents and 1 steering assistant superintendent manager. They also implemented a new performance system that would give the rower a greater incentive to pull harder. It was called the "Rowing Team Quality First Program". with meetings, dinners and free pens for the rower. There was discussions on new paddles, canoes and other equipment, extra holidays for practice time and bonuses. The next year the Japanese won by two miles. Humiliated, the American management laid off the rower for poor performance, halted developement of the new canoe, sold the paddles and canceled all capital investment for new facilities. The money saved was distributed to the senior executives as bonuses and the next years team was out-sourced to India. Sadly, The End... But.............. think on this. Ford has spent 30 years moving its factories out of the US, claiming they can't make money paying American wages. Toyota has spent 30 years building a dozen plants in the states. Toyota made 4 billion dollars, Ford lost 9 billion dollars. If this wasn't true, it might be funny. Other examples being Rover, LandRover, Jaguar, TVR, Vauxhall etc.

That's better, a bit more arse off seat and a lower elbow please. Cheers

Similar thing to a couple of my guys in a new Transit, indicating right, car coming toward witnessed them start the turn and a little old dear in a Corsa appear from nowhere and took the cab behind the door and pushed the lot into the ditch! Drivers behind stated she went off like she had a deathwish even though the rear lights where working. The Transit was re-cabbed and apart from shock and a little concussion all came out okay.

Andy you wimp, get your knee down!!!

"It's not bollocks - it's Arbtalk" Arbtalk - more winners than posers.

What a hoot, thanks and congrats to those who made the effort. Job done well. Cheers

I honestly think that receiving/buying is even more of crime than the theft itself. Society is wrong in accepting this type of thing as acceptable providing a small punishment is dished out. SEQUESTRATE THEIR ASSETS THEN CUT THEIR HANDS OFF AND REFUSE ALL STATE AID AND BENEFIT - MAKE THEIR RELATIVES PAY FOR THEM TO EAT, DRINK AND HOUSE THEM.

I took the photo in my local Tesco garage and the staff and myself have a titter about it every time I goe in. I sent it as an email to various people in the States, Hong Kong, etc etc. Then the sign dissappered, apparantly all shops and garages had been asked to check their equipment and replace the signs where required - the email had ended up at Tesco HQ!

Nurse! The screens please.

After being let down by EBay, I'm still looking for a Ford Pop, Moggy or similar with V8 that needs finishing. PM me if you know of one thats up for grabs. Cheers.

After being let down by EBay, I'm still looking for a winter/spring project. Does anyone know of Ford Pop or similar, Moggy etc with V8 which needs finishing. PM me if you do. Cheers.

Ho Ho Ho........

I can remember Jim Wilkie trying to get me to buy one in the late80's-early 90's. He was trying to convince me that it was better than a roller fed machine. When I was asked to take one in partex some years ago, I sold it for 250 quid for the engine. But you cannot deny that they chipped.

It was a 1948 Singer 4 door saloon, all steel body which had been channeled (body lowered on chassis) and had been fitted with Rover V8 and box/axle. Turned into two door and had rear arches blended and widened. Just need a few mechanical jobs and a full interior. I was really looking forward to taking it to the next Run Whatya Brung.

I tried to buy a car on Ebay for a Dad's toy. It did not reach reserve, so I rang the fellow with an offer. Sounds good came back the reply. Brilliant and 1948 , all steel car that requires finishing. Fantastic - Santa Pod here I come. Went and got the cash and arranged transport and rang to get a time - he tells me he was confused and already had a better offer. Oh cobblers. Talk about getting from high to low too quick. Good job I never told the kids!.......

Having now read that, it has reminded me to mend those internal castellations on that retorquarating cocklewasher. Bye the way, some cat has crapped on your pudding.

Except the GreenMech Safe Trac 1928 of course.

Was the photo taken to help out with the insurance claim? Wicked piccy, you wouldn,t know where to start to clean that up, but certainly not with the Dyson in the bottom of the photo!!!

Look around the car park at the AA or APF and you'll see LOP9IT LOG1T, B19 LOG, B16LOG, B16ASH,B19ELM,BI16OAK and all kinds. Me, I'm not that vain, I just have GREENMECH in bugger off big writing down the side!

Acacia Groundcare Equipment Rental of Henfield in East Sussex (01273 494939) were ram raided over the weekend. The scum threw 26 assorted Sthil long reach hedge cutters and brushcutters down the stairs and made off with them. Some will be damaged, all have been engraved on various covers and would have had their corporate stickers on them. The vehicle was recovered later and Police are investigating. If anyone offers you equipment that has been engraved, contact the original owner to confirm that he has disposed of it.

I ran a Mat for a while. Towed to site behind a big Case tractor on a solid bar (no tax/mot) gave me great delight to put it 1st and push the tractor across the lights! Tee Hee Heee....Great tool, 25mph flat out but would pull a house over. All the heat you needed on a cold day with a 9.8litre engine in the cab. Air con was open the front windows!!!

It's my understanding that these clutches do take some setting up and adjusting, our grinder (GreenMech) has done serious hours and is on its 2nd clutch. the first twisted the spot welds out after some numpty kept dumping the clutch at full revs and not tickover!

Another make which some deride - Echo. I have to say that I had two that were absolute blinders. Twin cylinder machines that were solid and powerful. Never seen them since. But in those days they were as good as the equivalent Stihl or Husky in bar length, but a lot cheaper.

I'm there. Cheers all.