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....

 

[Dr_Zinj]

3 year old could sit in my lap and the safety belt would be able to go around both of us, and not have him squashed up against the steering wheel.
I suppose you could put a safety harness on the kid, and clip him to something to keep him on the operator deck so he can't fall off.
Life is a risk. Some risks are acceptable, some aren't; and most can be reduced with a bit of thought.

DON'T DRINK AND TRY TO THINK.

 

[creekbend]

I understand your viewpoint, but I have several questions. Since you have an open station tractor, you probably don't have room for a "Buddy Seat" as would be possible in a Cab enclosed machine. Since your current seatbelt, may or not be adequate to go around the both of you, perhaps you will get a larger seatbelt. We have 4 Grandchildren and I am fully aware of how curious Children can be. I guarantee you that your Grandson has watched your every movement while you have operated the Tractor. Yes, a three year old can release the Brake and move the Gear Shift, while it is parked. Do you use wheel chocks when the machine is parked? Yes, a 3 three old can climb on a tractor all by themselves. You may consider my post out or order, but here is a Question. While grocery shopping, would you or your wife leave that CHILD unattended in the grocery cart, while you went to another shopping aisle? BTW, young Children are always learning, watching, and emulating those around them. Safety first is much better than a trip to the Emergency Room, or worse.

 

[swick1]

I understand your viewpoint, but I have several questions. Since you have an open station tractor, you probably don't have room for a "Buddy Seat" as would be possible in a Cab enclosed machine. Since your current seatbelt, may or not be adequate to go around the both of you, perhaps you will get a larger seatbelt. We have 4 Grandchildren and I am fully aware of how curious Children can be. I guarantee you that your Grandson has watched your every movement while you have operated the Tractor. Yes, a three year old can release the Brake and move the Gear Shift, while it is parked. Do you use wheel chocks when the machine is parked? Yes, a 3 three old can climb on a tractor all by themselves. You may consider my post out or order, but here is a Question. While grocery shopping, would you or your wife leave that CHILD unattended in the grocery cart, while you went to another shopping aisle? BTW, young Children are always learning, watching, and emulating those around them. Safety first is much better than a trip to the Emergency Room, or worse.

You're right. The risk is real. I've made my decision and I would urge others to weigh all outcomes and their personal feelings as well as your posts before proceeding. Being inconsistent in this matter may result in death. I pulled my grandmas running car out of gear on our hill when I was 3. A tree caught it just before the 30 ft plunge!

 

[creekbend]

Without going into details let me just simplify this. It is of my opinion one would be making a serious error in judgement not to follow as many safety procedures as possible while having any young child on a tractor or any vehicle for that matter. However if they choose to do so it is there responsibility.
Given the wealth of information and intelligence on the forum I mistakenly assumed on my original post that all would realize one would never risk injury of a child by not being safe. I assumed that would be common sense and did not necessarily need to post anything about it. While I do appreciate your concern, and rightly so, I am and will always be aware of protecting my grand children and I would like to think all forum members would take the necessary steps do likewise.

As a side note:
I also have a pool that my wife insisted on years ago. Now if one wants to really get on a safety kick and thinks filling this pool in is the only safe thing to do in order to protect my grand children I am 100% IN AGREEMENT! Please state your reason and PM me your phone number. I'll print it out and hand it to my wife. While she is on the phone arguing with you I'll be filling it in as quickly as possible with my tractor. Then I'll tell her it had to be done for the safety reasons YOU stated...... I'll be forever in your debt and may have to rent your garage to live in.

A tad, Sarcastic, wouldn't you say? My post was not meant to be a Public Chastisement regarding your capability to implement procedures to ensure your Grand Children's safety. BTW, we TBN members try to help each other. If you can't discern the difference between well intentions and ridicule, then that is your concern, and not mine or anyone else's attempt to help. Hopefully this will enlighten you regarding the difference between Ridicule and a serious Attempt to be Helpful.

 

[hacleme]

creekbend I am sorry if you think I was trying to ridicule you. That was not my intention. I can see where the comment about the pool would be taken that way. It was meant to be humorous. Your statements were taken in a helpful manor.

 

[creekbend]

Everything's fine. Just a misunderstanding. Everyone is Human. Take care and enjoy your Family.

 

[chemteck29]

What a great moment for you! Enjoy the tractor, when you can get on it! As for tractor rides, I always got them as a kid and turned out just fine. Look there is risk is stepping foot out the door everyday, what are we going to do stay inside all day? As far as I'm concerned (not that it matters to you) LIVE LIFE! Observe as many safety rules as possible and give your Grandkids as many tractor rides as you can stand! This business of avoiding everything in life that might even be a little dangerous is baloney! That's not a life that's watching life pass you by! Enjoy!

 

[hacleme]

It just keeps getting better. Went and got the bush hog and figured I would service it. Grand son wanted to help. Safe everything up, gave him a wrench and told him to check all the bolts. After a few minutes he ran to the house.
In a very short time he's coming back with my wife in tow. She didn't look happy. She started chewing me out saying she had told me he was not going to use a firearm at that age and said I had lost my mind. Puzzled I asked what she was talking about. My grandson had told her we were going to kill hogs. He then looked at me and said hurry up papa get the bush hog on so we can go kill them hogs with it. Looking forward to putting on the harrows to see what he will say next.

 

[chemteck29]

It just keeps getting better. Went and got the bush hog and figured I would service it. Grand son wanted to help. Safe everything up, gave him a wrench and told him to check all the bolts. After a few minutes he ran to the house.
In a very short time he's coming back with my wife in tow. She didn't look happy. She started chewing me out saying she had told me he was not going to use a firearm at that age and said I had lost my mind. Puzzled I asked what she was talking about. My grandson had told her we were going to kill hogs. He then looked at me and said hurry up papa get the bush hog on so we can go kill them hogs with it. Looking forward to putting on the harrows to see what he will say next.

HA! You just never quite know what kids will say! Enjoy it, they grow up at lightning speed!