I want to drive!!!!!!!

[ByronBob]

Those very words came out of my 5 yr old's mouth yesterday on the BX2230. Apparently sitting on dads lap isn't that much fun. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Now what do I do? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[daedong]

<font color="blue"> Apparently sitting on dads lap isn't that much fun. </font>

Obviously safety isn't an issue /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Reading your post literally sent a chill up my spine. A good friend of mine lost his son at 5 years old doing that very thing. My friend was never the same. He later took his own life. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[MossRoad]

All safety issues asside, tell him(or her), "No. This is dad's tool, not a toy. I will teach you how to drive it when your feet can reach the pedals, your arms can reach the controls and I feel you are old enough to do it." It's just that easy. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[ByronBob]

A good friend of mine lost his son at 5 years old doing that very thing. My friend was never the same. He later took his own life.

Gary I completely understand where your coming from. Thats a sad story to tell and another of life's long lessons about right from wrong.
I didn't want to focus on the safety issue but the words coming out of my sons mouth was the slow death of dad being "the man" and my son taking another baby step to independance. I'm fighting the fact he doesn't need me in some aspects but will in others as he grows up.

 

[jwstewar]

I know I'm going to get ridiculed for this, but that won't be the first time. I also ride my son and daughter on my lap - and I do encourage them to take the wheel and steer. Notice the key word here - ride. If I'm working with the tractor they are off to the side watching. I figure it is better for them to learn and respect the machine now and I'm on the machine with them to override anything they do wrong then it is when they are 12 - 14 years and I can't be on the machine and helping them - and get hurt trying. Kinda like the driving instructor that has his "OH *(U(&( brake" on his side of the car. What does it hurt to ride them around on a flat yard in the grass with nothing around doing 3 or 4 MPH? That is slower then their battery operated FisherPrice Power Wheels. Heck, I figure they are even safer there then they are riding the back seat of our car in their child car seat. At least we are protected from all of the other lunatics by a ditch & trees on the side & front.

Let the onslaught begin /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[KubotaSteve]

I agree with you Jim, I take my kids for rides all the time. When I am doing loader work or mowing they are off the machine at a safe distance. My 7 year old daughter rides our 4 wheeler by herself but she wears her helmet. I would let her drive the tractor as long as the ROPS was up and the seatbelt was on but she isn't quite tall enough to reach the pedals and doesn't have enough weight to hold the kill switch on the seat. Teach your kids to respect equipment not to fear it or use it without care. I guess I'm ready for the wrath of everyone else as well. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Tractors4u]

I agree with you jstewar. My kids have ridden the tractor with me. My 7 y.o. daughter has driven the JD 4310 under my close supervision and it isn't hydrostatic either. She has driven it in a wide open and flat field in low range. However they never ride when there is work being done, mowing, loading or whatever.

 

[MossRoad]

<font color="blue"> the words coming out of my sons mouth was the slow death of dad being "the man" and my son taking another baby step to independance. I'm fighting the fact he doesn't need me in some aspects but will in others as he grows up. </font>

Well, to avoid a safety bashing, let's continue on that line... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I had the same feeling last winter when my 11 year old daughter out ran me on a 1/4 mile cross country ski sprint, then came home and trounced me in a game of chess... not one of my better days, but a great one for her! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Oh, yeah... about two weeks ago my 6 year old daughter stale mated me in a game of chess. It was the 2nd time she played /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Either the youth of today is getting smarter, faster, or I'm ... oh, heck, it's the second choice, isnt't it? /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[thcri]

I think allowing children on your tractors is a personal decision. And your decision will change with each child. One of the farms I worked on as a kid had their 7 year old racking hay with a little ford tractor. My neighbor today has his 3 year old on his John Deere riding mower all the time, even while he mows. This kid comes over to my place every so often and rides with me on my TC29D. This kid use to be a John Deere fan until he got to ride my New Holland and now New Holland is the best in his eyes. My daughter at 13 started mowing with my TC29D and even started using the loader. The other night I heard my tractor running and I looked out back and it was my daughter cleaning up her flower area, throwing the old crap in the bucket and hauling it away. Kind of brought tears to my eyes.

Pic'ts attached.

murph

ps: notice seat belt is on!!