Kids on Tractors

JimMorrissey · May 12, 2006

( That's the difference between farm folks and surburban people. )

What is the differece between farm "folks" and suburban "people"? Can't see where that comes into your post here as a seperate paragraph. Don't know if that's a reference to me or not, but suburban we are not, farmer we are not. There's a whole lot in between suburban and farmer.

For those who never read the original thread. It was in refernce to small children....Apparently "kids" was the wrong word to use in the subject header, but good discussion anyway.

coffeeman · May 15, 2006

When I was a kid of 14 my dad would let me run tractor from farm to farm on the main highway between farms. One time my dad and mom had a knock down drag out fight on my being allowed to do this. Mom called the state police. Trooper came to house and informed mom it was legal for 14 yr old to drive farm tractor on highway. That was Pennsylvania in the 50s. I remember going for my drivers license on my 16th birthday the first day of learners permit. I did the drivers course, we tested on the street then, and came back to home base. The cop stamped permit passed and said to me, "Remember son, your not out on the farm driving a tractor."

****, I got a 10 year old grandson and he runs a go cart like a pro racer. I put him on the Mahindra and he sits on front of seat, my legs straddle him for brakes and clutch. It's tight even with the tilt steering wheel all way up. If he was my son I'd teach him to use clutch and let him run it. Since he's my daughters son I will leave that decision to her. I would let him run the small riding mower with her permission.

Cheers.....Coffeeman

coffeeman · May 15, 2006

When I was a kid of 14 my dad would let me run tractor from farm to farm on the main highway between farms. One time my dad and mom had a knock down drag out fight on my being allowed to do this. Mom called the state police. Trooper came to house and informed mom it was legal for 14 yr old to drive farm tractor on highway. That was Pennsylvania in the 50s. I remember going for my drivers license on my 16th birthday the first day of learners permit. I did the drivers course, we tested on the street then, and came back to home base. The cop stamped permit passed and said to me, "Remember son, your not out on the farm driving a tractor."

****, I got a 10 year old grandson and he runs a go cart like a pro racer. I put him on the Mahindra and he sits on front of seat, my legs straddle him for brakes and clutch. It's tight even with the tilt steering wheel all way up. If he was my son I'd teach him to use clutch and let him run it. Since he's my daughters son I will leave that decision to her. I would let him run the small riding mower with her permission.

Cheers.....Coffeeman

turnkey4099 · May 16, 2006

( When I was a kid of 14 my dad would let me run tractor from farm to farm on the main highway between farms. One time my dad and mom had a knock down drag out fight on my being allowed to do this. Mom called the state police. Trooper came to house and informed mom it was legal for 14 yr old to drive farm tractor on highway. That was Pennsylvania in the 50s. I remember going for my drivers license on my 16th birthday the first day of learners permit. I did the drivers course, we tested on the street then, and came back to home base. The cop stamped permit passed and said to me, "Remember son, your not out on the farm driving a tractor."

****, I got a 10 year old grandson and he runs a go cart like a pro racer. I put him on the Mahindra and he sits on front of seat, my legs straddle him for brakes and clutch. It's tight even with the tilt steering wheel all way up. If he was my son I'd teach him to use clutch and let him run it. Since he's my daughters son I will leave that decision to her. I would let him run the small riding mower with her permission.

Cheers.....Coffeeman
)

At 14 back in the day (40s and 50s) kids were expected to be using tractors in the fields and hiring out as full farmhands at 16 (my first paid job - $42 a week and found). That was back in the wheat fields of Idaho and Washington driving D6 cats and the equivalent.

Harry K

turnkey4099 · May 16, 2006

( When I was a kid of 14 my dad would let me run tractor from farm to farm on the main highway between farms. One time my dad and mom had a knock down drag out fight on my being allowed to do this. Mom called the state police. Trooper came to house and informed mom it was legal for 14 yr old to drive farm tractor on highway. That was Pennsylvania in the 50s. I remember going for my drivers license on my 16th birthday the first day of learners permit. I did the drivers course, we tested on the street then, and came back to home base. The cop stamped permit passed and said to me, "Remember son, your not out on the farm driving a tractor."

****, I got a 10 year old grandson and he runs a go cart like a pro racer. I put him on the Mahindra and he sits on front of seat, my legs straddle him for brakes and clutch. It's tight even with the tilt steering wheel all way up. If he was my son I'd teach him to use clutch and let him run it. Since he's my daughters son I will leave that decision to her. I would let him run the small riding mower with her permission.

Cheers.....Coffeeman
)

At 14 back in the day (40s and 50s) kids were expected to be using tractors in the fields and hiring out as full farmhands at 16 (my first paid job - $42 a week and found). That was back in the wheat fields of Idaho and Washington driving D6 cats and the equivalent.

Harry K

cowboydoc · May 16, 2006

Combines can all be ordered with a jump seat and it's a common accessory.



I agree with all you said 100% Daryl. Not only combines but all of our cab tractors have jump seats complete with seat belts. I was driving tractors at age 5 and my daughters have been driving them since 6. A tractor is no more dangerous than a car or a 4 wheeler. It's all how you teach them to operate. Riding a bike or a horse can get a kid killed. I'm not saying take unneccessary chances but done right driving a tractor with a seat belt and roll bar and especially a cab tractor at 5 mph is no more dangerous than riding a bike.

cowboydoc · May 16, 2006

Combines can all be ordered with a jump seat and it's a common accessory.



I agree with all you said 100% Daryl. Not only combines but all of our cab tractors have jump seats complete with seat belts. I was driving tractors at age 5 and my daughters have been driving them since 6. A tractor is no more dangerous than a car or a 4 wheeler. It's all how you teach them to operate. Riding a bike or a horse can get a kid killed. I'm not saying take unneccessary chances but done right driving a tractor with a seat belt and roll bar and especially a cab tractor at 5 mph is no more dangerous than riding a bike.

coffeeman · May 17, 2006

Hi Harry

$42 a week for working on farm. I guess about 50 cents an hour, about the going rate. Had a friend that just related a story about his farm days. He got a couple bucks a week for spending money. They fed him 3 squares and held his money till end of summer. That held pay was turned over to the kids father to buy school clothes and what else the dad thought the $$ should go for. If a parent tried that today the parent would probably be put in jail.

Cheers....Coffeeman

coffeeman · May 17, 2006

Hi Harry

$42 a week for working on farm. I guess about 50 cents an hour, about the going rate. Had a friend that just related a story about his farm days. He got a couple bucks a week for spending money. They fed him 3 squares and held his money till end of summer. That held pay was turned over to the kids father to buy school clothes and what else the dad thought the $$ should go for. If a parent tried that today the parent would probably be put in jail.

Cheers....Coffeeman

D7E · May 30, 2006

When we were kids it was pretty normal to be a pretty good driver by the time you were 10 ,
I think i started at about age 7, And not small stuff , Combines and 150 horse tractors.
My five year old was learning to follow a straight line ( on my lap ) air seeding with 315 HP this year.
In the uk it is legal to drive tractors in field at 13 and on highway at 16 yet for a car you must be 17.