using a lawn mower for younger kids to drive around the farm....ideas?

[Mace Canute]

When my two boys were young, I picked up a used lawn tractor with a rusted out deck at a yard sale for 50 bucks. It taught them how to back a trailer, and basic driving skills. As well the art of changing oil, and putting air in tires.

Just a reminder to everyone...airing up small tires can be a very dangerous task. The small volume comes up to pressure very fast and it's easy for someone who doesn't realize this to over fill them and run the risk of having them blow up.

 

[OldMcDonald]

Good point Mace. Same with the caution about filling the tank. As well as all the other points of course. There is a lot more to it than just the driving. Does anyone really think that kids of 4 to 7 year olds NEED to start learning to drive? At that age the first thing they need is exercise, not learning to sit down for their fun.

In many countries it would be illegal for them to even be on the machine. Those four boys in Iowa would still be alive if they had not been allowed to drive it. The driver who failed to stop (could he stop, or was his weight too much and he was pushed over the line?) bears responsibility for their deaths, but were they legally driving on the road?

Are there any laws in the various US States about how old kids have to be before they are allowed to travel on agricultural equipment, and to drive it? I do not have the info to hand about various countries over here, I just know there are age limits somewhere in the teens, and parents have been prosecuted for permitting under age use, especially following accidents. And yes, I did drive a little grey Fergie when I was about 10, so did my brother who was 18 months younger. Always under direct supervision, and always in first gear.

 

[alchemysa]

That's why I thought about a smaller riding mower with the deck removed would be a good next step.

Removing the deck will make it a LOT more tippy. (Decks provide a lot of low down weight).

I recently converted an old mobilty rider to a kids play car. How dangerous could that be? But its amazing how they can find ways to nearly kill themselves.

 

[ruffdog]

My parents bought a 8hp rear engine Murry mower when I was a kid. I was encouraged to drive it whenever the grass needed cutting.

 

[HeLa]

Removing the deck will make it a LOT more tippy. (Decks provide a lot of low down weight)

maybe remove the belt that drives the deck, but i would leave the deck on for stability.

as a kid i used to love taking our old cub cadet 1650 (awesome tractor, by the way) out for a spin when the deck was off - it was MUCH easier to get it up on two wheels :devil:

 

[jaotguy]

looks like it's up to the OP ...

he has to decide IF the kids are mature enough ( we all come of age at different times and stages ) to be ready for it ... as well as being physically up to driving it safely ...

I'd go with a tractor and a speed limiter on the throttle cable .... ( at least for awhile )

 

[OldMcDonald]

Are there any laws in the various US States about how old kids have to be before they are allowed to travel on agricultural equipment, and to drive it?

Can I please repeat my question? I would really like to know. It would be very strange if there is no state that has not seen the dangers of toddlers on machines.

I also wonder is it mandatory for kids in motor vehicles to have safety seats when small and seat belts when bigger?

 

[brownbr]

Can I please repeat my question? I would really like to know. It would be very strange if there is no state that has not seen the dangers of toddlers on machines.

I also wonder is it mandatory for kids in motor vehicles to have safety seats when small and seat belts when bigger?

I found this here from Google in regards to the extensions of traffic laws (unique per state) onto private property. So this would apply if you were driving on the farm. Not down the road to another farm. I can't vouch for it's accuracy.

Driving Age
On ranches and other rural private property, minors without a state-required driver's license are allowed to drive vehicles and dirt bikes on the property. There is nothing law enforcement officials can do about this unless a serious injury or death occurs as a result, in which case the state could charge the property owners, guardians or the parents with negligence. However, unless the private property owner asks law enforcement officials to help keep minors from operating vehicles on his land, this is legal.

from this page Laws Regarding Driving on Private Property | eHow

 

[Rhinohio]

After reading all of this hysteria, not sure how I managed to live past 13... I'm now 60 .

Mike

 

[Sysop]

The average 4-7 year old should have some of the best mobility there is. They should be able to get around all sorts of places a lawn tractor would only get hung up... That being said, if they need a TOOL to help do work and chores around the place, that's a whole other ball game. Teach them the value of a tool and tools only come out as needed and tasks need completed when they do come out. There is nothing wrong with teaching responsibility at an early age. Just be a responsible adult about it and maintain strict guidelines.