Wow! You sure were put through the paces. I bought an M-700 in late 2005 for $2k from a retired guy moving to Florida, but I was a bit luckier than you. The engine oil seal on the flywheel end was shot and the impeller would spray oil under the engine shrouds. I though the cylinder gaskets were gone. After I pulled the engine and cleaned it up and the cleaned the rest of the machine up (it took two weeks). I discovered and fixed the seal, replaced the u-joints, replaced the plugs, cap, point, condenser, wires and the engine was good to go. Later I hade a problem with the regulator, but it was just connection problems, easy fix. I've since added a headlight, low oil pressure alarm, voltmeter and DC receptical for a heated seat. Since then my M-700 has been a very good to me. I use it mostly for snow removal. During a storm about two weeks ago a ran for seven hours straight while I helped my neighbors out. What a machine! I was told to run 15W-40 High Detergent oil in the Wisconson engine. I use straight 30W oil as the hydraulic oil. I have a small leak at the left rear. I assume it is a wheel seal, but I'm not sure. You've been much nicer to you machine, I painted the wheels Bobcat orange only because it had a good combination of white paint and rust spots that made it blend into the scenery during winter storms. I was scared I was going to get hit some day by a snow plow. I have only one speed and I never really looked into why that is. I assume the problem is in the linkage from the control lever. It has never really been an issue fo me, but a couple of day ago I drove it a quarter mile away to dig out the local Boy Scout camp. It took me twenty minutes to get there. Any ideas? Congratulation!