Zane thing - +Newsletter question

Just how similar is the new design? Since I have never seen a Zane thing, I wonder if the author copied it or made a new system based on the principles of Zane's design.

I understand that Zane is a well respected person, but I wonder (perhaps incorrectly) if he just made this device and wasn't such a help, (or if the reverse engineer wasn't a college professor) would this be such a problem.

I think that people who want to build their own system will benefit from such a plan, while those that want a quality product will just buy one from Zane. Will the authors article really hurt Zane, or are prople just upset that someone had the audacity to (copy steal modify - choose your own word) his idea?

I hope that this is not seen as an attack on Zane. I have really not formed an opinion yet.

And I too hope Z sell hundreds more to those that have little need or cause to build their own. For those that do have a "cause" then they can do that also.
Restricting knowledge from people takes away their ability to choose.

I do not believe the pictured divice is similar to the Zane Thang. I cannot say for sure because I have never seen a Thang. However comments made by Zane in various posts lead me to believe that his Thang solves the linkage problem differently.

A position control is a very simple concept and any one with an introduction to linkage design would come up with a similar concept.

The problem is that this link design is only good for one position. Thus as Zane put it in a lower post... "The Secret" is how to make the position controler work for any desired height. Thus the follower link must either change length or the angle between the driver links must change. That is where designs will differ in how they work.

The pictured design change driver link angle. Where as I believe Zane's Thang adjusts the follower link's length. Again, I have never seen one and do not know what it looks like.

Recpectfully Jeff

To address one of your comments, after reading the article in the N-Newsletter I don't believe there would have been any problem if the college professor had built his version of the position control for the 9N/2N and just said, "Here's my idea." But the professor did not do that, in his best arrogant, condescending way he did his best to belittle Zane Sherman, which is what most people who have dealt with Zane object to and strongly disagree with.

It appears this poor professor thinks so poorly of himself (or maybe he has an accurate assesment of his actual worth) that he seems to feel that his stature is elevated by his lame attempt to belittle someone else. All he does is validate everyone's opinion who has a negative opinion of college professors.

Mike

I am referring to "A Position Control Linkage for the 9N" by Phill Christiansen as published in the 9N-2N-8N-NAA Newsletter Volume 18 Number 4 Autumn 2003. If this is not the article people are referencing then my comments do not apply and should be disregarded. There is not one reference to Zane, Mr. Sherman, or a Zane Thang. He referenced a "device"...purchased..."site unseen for $80 postage paid." that is all. period.

He also never said the device didn't work or do the task as advertized.

Do I think he is talking about a Zane Thang? yes he probably is.

Do I think he put too much personal opinion in his descriptions of why he did not like this "device"? yes.

Do I think he was making a personal attack? No

I think collectively board has made far more direct and personal disparaging comments on the author's character. I have found these comments remove the friendly atmosphere of this board to ask questions on how to fix our machines.

Could Zane's Thang be improved? He himself has stated he improved his design. Could it be improved more? I don't know I've never seen one.

Could the design as persented in the article be improved?... absolutely. Rick made some good improvements in his version as presented earlier.

Why is even discussing options about Position Control such a Taboo subject anyway. God forbid we get this worked up about how to convert over to a 12V. system.

Respectfully to all

Jeff- OH

I have no idea who the "Renaldi people" are. I do not know who ROB and or this Professor is.

I guess we are not talking about the same article and there is some pissing match going on that I am unaware of.

Respectfully,
Jeff

It is becoming like this on all aspects of our daily lives, and I think it takes a little away from us when it happens from such a honest agreement - such as when you give your word to someone and shake on it - only to be cheated by the other guy while you held up your end of the bargin.
This - I think, is the reason for the stink - moreso than the position control itself.

Dan

Mike

Mike

Thanks !
Fortyseven2n

Sorry to use the forum for this request....

I have refunded two people their money after they shipped the device back to me in good working order. One was sent back because it could not be used on account of a front end loader/ROPS that interfered. The other was a man in South Louisiana who mistakenly thought that it would fix a badly functioning lift on a 9N and asked me to give him a refund so that he could use the money to fix his lift. I didn't mind at all.

I think that is proof of the pudding!

The Prof did aparently buy on of my early models of the ZANE THANG device and armed with the knowledge that such a device was possible proceded to modify it and call it a new and improved postion control. What he has made will no doubt work to give postion control to the lift.
As a matter of fact I have some old drawings where I toyed with the very same ideas when I was trying to figure a way to accomplish the task and have a device that the average person could install without having to be much of a mechanic etc. I think I acheived my purpose. When all the little fuzzy things blow off but two I think that is a pretty good success record.

Zane

• ZANE THANG