Tractor Rides

[hacleme]

Thank you for the all the information posted! After reading many post I purchased a 3616 with FEL yesterday.
I had big plans today to acomplish some work and see what it will do but that didn't work out. I arrived home ready to work and found my wife learning to drive the tractor and my grandson of 3yrs old sitting in the golf cart cheering her on. This was a total shock, she never has or wanted to drive a tractor before. She said she read the instruction manual and wanted to learn how to operate this tractor that she like it. I thought great, she can plant the garden next year and harrow the fire breaks too. So after a hour or so of her self training I figured it would be my turn to get some work done. Not so fast.... that little fellow on the golf cart wanted his tractor ride because gran promised I would take him for a ride. So we ride, and ride, for HOURS. He did not want to stop.
After dinner he wanted to ride again. I told him it was dark outside but he said papa, it has lights. So there I was, out-smarted by a 3yr old, the wife laughing and yes, we ride again flashers going and all. When I finally took him back home to my daughter he informed me my tractors name is Thomas ( I didn't ask) and that tomorrow papa we will dig with the "front thingie". He said papa were going to dig a big hole to fill with water and make mud so we can play in it and we can ride again.
I now have a feeling it is going to be a while before I get a chance to actually do the work I need to do but I will get to dig a hole tomorrow.
This is not exactly how I've been planning to use the tractor but then again these are the things that are truely priceles and define happiness. I will never forget how those first 5.9 hours were put on this tractor. Tomorrow I will decal Thomas on the front and we shall dig, get muddy and ride.......
The best part is I have two more grand children, 3 months and 4 months old. So I will have many YEARS of this to look forward to. Heck, I may even get to actually do some work with it one day if I dont wear it out with "tractor rides"......
And to quote my wife when I returned home...."and you told me you bought this to work with, you could have just told me the truth".

 

[Sysop]

Priceless! Congrats on an awesome tractor!

 

[Ted Summey]

Congratulations! Be safe with the little ones and enjoy - you already know how quickly they grow up!

 

[murphy1244]

Happy tractoring

 

[AchingBack]

I have an almost 3 yr. old grandson. I would never consider letting him ride with anyone on a tractor. It could be a fatal mistake. Tractor Safety Accident Prevention

Child Injuries
Annually, more than 100 children are killed and 26,000 seriously injured on US farms. Tractors are responsible for 41% of the accidental farm deaths of children under 15, yet 4 out of 5 farm children regularly ride tractors with family members. Farm life is wonderful for families and having a ride on the tractor with parents, or grandparents, is considered part of the farming tradition. The Childhood Agricultural Safety Network (CASN) understands the risks and has taken a “tough love” approach, stating that it is never okay for a child younger than 12 to be on a tractor.

Remember, it’s easier to bury a tradition than a child.

Safety Solutions
1. No children younger than 12 on a tractor
2. No extra riders
3. Keep children away from work area

 

[swick1]

It's up to each individual to make this choice and live with the potential consequences. I have been giving my son rides since he was 5 months old. With this choice I must always be alert and make sure someone is watching him when I work as well as keeping all attachments lowered when parked and removing the keys when I stop. It's good for kids to take an interest in working with their hands. Not everyone can grow up to be a lawyer or ceo.

 

[hacleme]

Great, Just lost 20.00 to my wife. She told me if I posted that someone would raise that issue. Myself like swick1 suscribe to the idea of safety first. I While I respect your opinion I feel sorry that some children will miss out on some of the enjoyment and experiences in life.

 

[jonnyc1999]

I think it was a great story, and it put a smile on my face. go ahead and give your grandkids tractor rides, thats one of the great things about owning a tractor! I remember my dad giving my sister rides in the STEERING WHEEL of our riding lawnmower, spinning her on all the turns. It was one of the many bonding experiences that brought our family so close together. Lots of people get hurt in cars every day, are you going to refuse to take your grandkids to a ball game or to the park because there might be a car accident?

 

[Loadstar]

Great story. I know my little guy sure is glued to me on all the equipment. He doesn't get a ride while working just for moving. I do let him on the backhoe if I'm using the hoe though he likes to operate it too. I know my father in law feels the same way as you do. We go to the place he works and climb on big stuff. I think grandparents enjoy it more than kids sometimes if that's possible

 

[brin]

Great, Just lost 20.00 to my wife. She told me if I posted that someone would raise that issue. Myself like swick1 suscribe to the idea of safety first. I While I respect your opinion I feel sorry that some children will miss out on some of the enjoyment and experiences in life.

:thumbsup: My best memories are driving my Uncles 9N when I was about 7 or 8 yrs. old in Miss. ...I was by myself...! Yep, I have given my son and now grand daughter rides on my tractors....I have taken all the precautions...nothing reckless....life is not risk free...I am old enough to remember no seat belts and standing on the front seat of the car as my Dad drove or laying on the ledge of the back window in the car...riding bikes with no helmet...on and on...we survived....

Enjoy your tractor....I hope you get a turn....You may have to buy your Mrs. her own....