When are kids old enough to start operating tractor?

[yelbike]

Excellent point, Qapla.

Thats why I started this tread.
My 9 year old is starting on the tractors, his a very cautious one. Always setting the speed as slow as he can.

My fear is I'm a great guy for teaching my kids things but god forbid, something bad happens, then all of a sudden I'm the "worst dad in the world for allowing such a young child to operate a tractor, its child labour..... blah blah blah. " I know how things can be twisted around.

 

[Darrenone]

Thats why I started this tread.
My 9 year old is starting on the tractors, his a very cautious one. Always setting the speed as slow as he can.

My fear is I'm a great guy for teaching my kids things but god forbid, something bad happens, then all of a sudden I'm the "worst dad in the world for allowing such a young child to operate a tractor, its child labour..... blah blah blah. " I know how things can be twisted around.

I do what I feel is right for me and my child. My boy has been operating my backhoe by himself ( with me standing close by) since he was four. He is five now and is pretty good at it. He also drives my Yamaha 350 four wheeler by himself and is very good at that. My tractor has gears so he doesn't drive that alone yet but he does drive my fathers hydrostatic L5030. ( ? ) He can also drive a bulldozer and mini excavator with me sitting with him. He is a very cautious kid and we go over the safety issues each time. He understands that equipment are not toys and can be very dangerous. I do realize that this is not the norm and when people see him or hear about him operating, I often hear their criticism. Even from my mother. But again, I do what I feel is right for my child. Every kid is different for sure.
Darren

 

[Qapla]

... I do realize that this is not the norm and when people see him or hear about him operating, I often hear their criticism...

Not sure why this is not the "norm" ... perhaps not for city folks, but for farm folks, it is the norm.

Funny how those same people that you hear the criticism from would be perfectly OK if you had him enrolled in a Judo/Karate class or POP-Warner or some other sport. They would probably not object if was riding a 2-wheel bicycle withOUT training wheels or learning to skateboard.

And, no one seems to mind kids that age being in the kitchen learning to cook - stoves are hot and knives are sharp.

 

[Qapla]

... I do realize that this is not the norm and when people see him or hear about him operating, I often hear their criticism...

Not sure why this is not the "norm" ... perhaps not for city folks, but for farm folks, it is the norm.

Funny how those same people that you hear the criticism from would be perfectly OK if you had him enrolled in a Judo/Karate class or POP-Warner or some other sport. They would probably not object if was riding a 2-wheel bicycle withOUT training wheels or learning to skateboard.

And, no one seems to mind kids that age being in the kitchen learning to cook - stoves are hot and knives are sharp.

Don't let what others say or think change what you do or say when there is nothing wrong with what you are doing. Yes, it is tragic when a child gets hurt or killed but that can happen riding in the car going to church or the store ... in fact it happens much more in the car then on the tractor ... but you don't here people saying how bad it is to let our kids ride in the car.

 

[njc110381]

As soon as you feel the kid is mature enough to handle the responsibility and they can reach and understand the controls then let them go for it. Kids learn faster than adults!

I never really had access to this sort of kit as a child but my father used to drive a little Massey tractor and tow a trailer from the age of being old enough to press the clutch down! Apparently he had to get off of the seat and stand on it at first but he got the job done and never broke anything!

 

[uglyboywith11fingers]

I suspect some of you whose young kids are operating newer tractors may have disabled some safety features...
My almost 9-year-old 60lb grandson wants to help by driving, but on my BX24 or TG1860, he can't keep enough weight on the seat and reach the hydrostat pedal... so the engine cuts out on him. And my wife says no way am I disabling those seat switches !!!
I don't see too much of a problem with hydrostatic trannys, where the machine stops when you move your foot off the pedal, but I would hesitate letting a young one run a gear tractor where he'd have to put his weight on the clutch pedal to stop the unit.

Pete

 

[uglyboywith11fingers]

I suspect some of you whose young kids are operating newer tractors may have disabled some safety features...
My almost 9-year-old 60lb grandson wants to help by driving, but on my BX24 or TG1860, he can't keep enough weight on the seat and reach the hydrostat pedal... so the engine cuts out on him. And my wife says no way am I disabling those seat switches !!!
I don't see too much of a problem with hydrostatic trannys, where the machine stops when you move your foot off the pedal, but I would hesitate letting a young one run a gear tractor where he'd have to put his weight on the clutch pedal to stop the unit.

Pete

 

[jenkinsph]

I think by the time they are 35 or so they should be mature enough to use your tractor. Hopefully they will have a job and can pay for whatever they tear up.:laughing:

 

[yelbike]

I suspect some of you whose young kids are operating newer tractors may have disabled some safety features...
My almost 9-year-old 60lb grandson wants to help by driving, but on my BX24 or TG1860, he can't keep enough weight on the seat and reach the hydrostat pedal... so the engine cuts out on him. And my wife says no way am I disabling those seat switches !!!
I don't see too much of a problem with hydrostatic trannys, where the machine stops when you move your foot off the pedal, but I would hesitate letting a young one run a gear tractor where he'd have to put his weight on the clutch pedal to stop the unit.

Pete

Sorry Pete to dissapoint, but I did not do anything to the seat switch. I does go out from time to time but thats ok. He can start it and try again.

 

[uglyboywith11fingers]

no disappointment here... I apologize if it sounded like an accusation, it was intended only as an observation.
I grew up on a farm, and I realize that youngsters do operate equipment on the farm, often out of necessity.
As long as we do all we can to protect the young ones !
I just can't imagine the grief that comes with having a child hurt by machinery.

Pete