Tractor For a Child?

[Hysyde]

While my daughters had little interest, my son, now 3 1/2 y/o, can't get enough of tractors and machinery (like most little boys I imagine).

Anyway, a friend gave us a hand-me-down 12v John Deere toy tractor. The boy couldn't get enough of it, however the transmission went out of it quickly and the shifter needs to be replaced. The parts aren't overly expensive, however I'm wondering what other options there might be for children, particularly something they won't out-grow too quickly.

Is there some kind of high-end, heavy duty 12v toy out there? Most are not well suited for actual "use". What about modding a small ride on tractor?


There's not much room to have him on the tractors with me anymore (outside of the field tractors) and that's bad practice anyway. Him and I both would love nothing more for him to have something where he can hop on and head out into the yard/bush/etc. and "work" along side me.

Just looking for ideas....

 

[Gary Fowler]

I think he might be a little too small for a riding lawnmower conversion. Better stick with the battery powered ones for at least a couple more years.

 

[Granthol]

I’m not big on battery ride ons for kids. I much prefer the peddle ride ons because most kids are already too sedentary.

 

[Hysyde]

I’m not big on battery ride ons for kids. I much prefer the peddle ride ons because most kids are already too sedentary.

My kids get plenty of exercise otherwise and I like the idea of them "operating" something through pedals, shifters, steering wheels etc..

 

[bridge4]

Kids Ride on Tractor [219 ] Reviews: Pedal, Electric and a Whole Lot of Fun
Top 15 Kids Riding Tractors 219 Reviews • VBestReviews

Good luck! You could also dress up a kids 4wheeler or UTV in the right colors and get them on a real engine. Might be a year or two early though.

 

[SJay]

I got a friend of mine a used battery John Deere Gator a few years ago - he has 2 boys. We put a regular car size battery in the cargo box of the Gator and wired in a Harbor Freight 12v charger. It would run for hours. His boys used it for years.

 

[Hysyde]

I got a friend of mine a used battery John Deere Gator a few years ago - he has 2 boys. We put a regular car size battery in the cargo box of the Gator and wired in a Harbor Freight 12v charger. It would run for hours. His boys used it for years.

Yeah, I have a 12v Gator that I bought years ago for my girls, but wanted to get the boy a tractor.

My neighbor put a deep cycle in his and his kids never run it dry. I dismissed the idea originally as I thought my kids would be outgrowing it soon, but they still love to zip around the yard in it and I'm thinking of throwing a battery in soon.