why are the forums so quiet.

[MaryN]

Actually, Steve. I don't do engines, but even I would be interested. All info can be useful ...

It's quiet because it's Christmas; the gardens have slowed down to a crawl; all planting is now over or waiting until Spring; livestock are just chugging along.
People are hunkering down trying to keep warm and making good use of their time indoors. Personally I'm making a quilt and getting up to speed with a couple of manuals.