Is this safe?

[Laminarman]

I'm thinking of making a kiddie joy ride platform for my TC40DA. I'm thinking of one of the 3PH platforms from TSC, and welding on a "tray" with a plywood 3/4" base set in it (approximately 4x6 feet). It would all be bolted down securely. I have two old rear auto seats I'd bolt to that, complete with seatbelts for children (2 at a time) to take a slow ride. Does this sound inherently dangerous? I would be it's less likely to roll over than a wagon pulled behind, and less likely to run away. There would be no hills or rough terrain. Any thoughts appreciated.

 

[Soundguy]

Well.. here are my thoughts on it.

A good solid platform for a seat isn't a bad idea. I've been to lots of tractor shows that have small tractors like cubs and ponies with a pan seat bolted to a bracket on the rear drawbar.. making a 'wife' seat.

The only issue I can think of is the seat belt.. seat belts on a tractor without a rops are a no-no... considering your cab rops won't protect the rear occupants in a side roll over situation.. might be prudent to leav ethe seat belts off.. and perhaps add hand grips for the occupants to brace themselves..

Probably way overkill.. and the fact that you are going slow is a good point. If it weren't for so many lawyers.. product safety laws.. and liability suits.. we wouldn't even be having this discussion.

I used to ride to the field standing onthe rear axle and holding onto the fender of my peepaws old blue ford tractor ( 4000? )
I'd sit and play inthe dirt while he disc'd the pasture.. all day..

Never thought a thing about it.

Good luck

Soundguy

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I would think you'd need to add some sort of guards so they can't reach over and touch the wheels of tractor. It would also help to keep dirt from flying at their little heads.

 

[Egon]

You'll be popular but there is one question. How do you keep the young ones in the back seat when they are going to insist on driving?? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Egon

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I would go with a trailer instead. Something with sides so that the kids won't fall out and they could sit on hay if they want to. Also would be useful for other things. Last thing is the ride would be better then getting bounced around on the 3pt.

 

[beenthere]

It's as safe as you make it. If you don't have command of the driving and of having the children sit and behave, then it can be unsafe.
I let my conscience be my guide. Sometimes that is a ride in the seat with me (depending on size) and sometimes it is 2-4 in the bucket on the FEL. Horrors! I go slow and the grand kids have fun.

I have good memories of doing the same thing with my Uncle.
I used to ride on the drawbar, or on the drawbar and axle, and on tractors without any fenders. I thought fenders were a real step up in the tractor riding world.

I do hope no one gets hurt, for sure. But I don't get shook up about the danger.

I let the grand kids climb trees too. Shudder to think they could slip and fall, but I don't stop them from taking that chance.

Ah's takes' ma chances and let them take their chances. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Life is not a dress rehearsal.

 

[Gatorboy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I would go with a trailer instead. )</font>

I second that opinion.

I see you going through alot of work for something that kids will probably get bored with over time. With a trailer if they want to go for a ride and if they have friends over you can accomodate. When the thrill of riding fades from the kids, you will still have a useful item to use.

 

[Soundguy]

Last halloween I did the hayride thing with all my cousins kids... utility trailer on fixed drawbar.. hay for seats.. lotsa smiles and memories..

Soundguy

 

[Laminarman]

Thanks for your help guys. What type of trailer would you recommend? I could pick up a bed at the junkyard from an old pickup, or build one I guess. My TSC landscape trailer is a piece of crap and too big, besides clearance is too low I'm sure. Of course I'd like something I could use for other tasks.

 

[johnday]

Now what you could do, and another way to justify another toy, is to get a 12000# tandem flatbed trailer. You could pile the whole neighbor on that and you'd really be the nice man down the road. Secondly, but maybe not as important, you could also use it to haul that TC40!!! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Slamfire]

I made one for my wife and her girlfriend to ride on during berry picking season. Of course a pair of 60 something women ain't quite the same as kids. The only thing you might not have thought of is the seats will tilt backwards as you raise the 3 point, the higher you go the more they tilt.

 

[Laminarman]

The thing that is appealing about a hauling "platform" is that my wife, and probably parents, would ride shotgun to pick corn or other stuff I plant at the top of the field. I'd make the board and seats removeable as a unit so the carry all could be used for other things. But that sounds so **** practical and responsible. I do like the idea of a tandem axle trailer! I could haul that puppy anywhere to justify more seat time, doing tasks for anybody who wants. God I hate this rain up here.

 

[Laminarman]

Lazy

That's why I looked at a platform with strap in seats rather than a wagon that could tip. But here's my philosophy: screw lawyers. They aren't going to dictate how I raise my kids and prevent them from having some fun and memories they'll keep for a lifetime. Your message is well taken and obviously I'd take every precaution imagineable. But my childhood would have been a whole heck of a lot less enjoyable had I not gone on hayrides, ridden in my uncles pickup bed to our fishing hole, climbed my grandfathers apple tree and dove off the boat on a misty morning to take my bath. As far as insurance, yeah, I have a lot. I mean a lot, because while I may despise lawyers, like a loaded gun I have a healthy respect for them.

 

[Deerlope]

Here are my thoughts are tractors riders. Tractor are build with one seat for a very good reason.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

If that trailer tips then your tractor is going over too. If you are just taking kids for a ride then you have no reason to go onto steep slopes where it is a problem (plus your tractor will be quite stable even if you don't feel that way).

 

[MikePA]

My concern with anything directly connected to the tractor is that it might teach the kids that the tractor is a toy. Using a trailer segregates the object that's fun (trailer) from the object that's work (tractor).

 

[sweettractors]

<font color="blue"> Tractor are build with one seat for a very good reason. </font>

I agree with you. There are a lot of unpredictable things that can happen on a carrier as being described--Kids will be Kids-- 1--What if the operator forgot to turn off the PTO (Or hit a bump and bumped the PTO engage lever) and one of the riders reaches for it. 2--The 3 point lift can be accidentially raised or lowered by the operator and lowering the carrier, with a Kids leg hanging off the back could cause serious problem. 3--The rear tire can get punctured and spray the riders with Calcium Chloride or Antifreeze etc before you know what is going on--4--There are Hydraulic lines and outlets at the back that are holding back over 2000 PSI--Ken Sweet

 

[have_blue]

I think I would prefer a sled or a low wagon pulled a good distance behind the tractor. I can remember how much fun we had riding on a "drag" to add weight. Some times we fell off, but hey, a 6" fall just causes giggles.