6wheeler 669 #1 Posted February 4, 2010 :clap: Ok fellas, I am fairly new to the horse stable but I need some advice, I am gonna be a new grampa, and, its gonna be a boy . So, NATURALLY we need a toy for him. He is not out of the hopper yet, so" we have time "as the wife says. But, why wait. What is a small tractor I can start the hunt for. I will have time to get it ready before he can use it. I think if he can walk, he can use it . thanks guys Pat Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horse Rancher 0 #2 Posted February 4, 2010 i would say a lawn ranger should be just fine I have one for my 4year old B) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
markslawnmowerworld 4 #3 Posted February 4, 2010 AN rj-58 or an rj-59 are good choices as well.......bigger guys look kind of funny riding them but it is one very good tractor.......my son is two, and it is still to big for him yet.........good-luck!! B) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikesRJ 558 #4 Posted February 4, 2010 I agree with the others and add a few more. Of course whatever you get he won't be driving it (by himself) for at least 5 years or more. But there is always the venerable Grandpa chore (read that joy) of driving them around on your lap when they are about two! 1958-1959: RJ-58/59 1960: 400, 550 Suburbans 1961: 401, 551, 701 1962: 502, 552, 702 1963: 603, 633, 653, 753, 953 1964: 604, 654, 704, 754, 854 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CasualObserver 3,411 #5 Posted February 4, 2010 I agree with most of the choices, and would probably favor a lawn ranger.... but personally I'd stay away from the RJ for a little kid unless you like fixing dents... the steering is just too quick. My personal opinion though. B) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whfan74 2,071 #6 Posted February 4, 2010 My opinion is a little different as I have two little one's myself. RJ's kind of scare me not just because of the steering but having the motor that close to them. Even with the guards their legs won't wrap around like an adults would. With many of the early 60's tractors the stirrup style of foot rest does become somewhat challenging for little feet. They don't always think about the consequences of what would happen if they let their feet drag. I would love to have my kids ride on them by themself but I would rather they have something like the vertical engines that were smaller with running boards. Motor is tucked away under the hood and they have a solid place to rest their feet. Just my .02 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 16,293 #7 Posted February 4, 2010 My opinion is a little different as I have two little one's myself. RJ's kind of scare me not just because of the steering but having the motor that close to them. Even with the guards their legs won't wrap around like an adults would. With many of the early 60's tractors the stirrup style of foot rest does become somewhat challenging for little feet. They don't always think about the consequences of what would happen if they let their feet drag. I would love to have my kids ride on them by themself but I would rather they have something like the vertical engines that were smaller with running boards. Motor is tucked away under the hood and they have a solid place to rest their feet. Just my .02 Scott, I agree with your 2 cents worth. Nothing worse then a child injured. My three grandsons will ride on grandpa's lap until all feet reach the pedals and then some. Bob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Duff 206 #8 Posted February 4, 2010 : I am gonna be a new grampa, and, its gonna be a boy . Hi, Pat, I don't have an opinion on the tractor part of this, but I did want to jump in and say CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Duff :clap: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jpmcleod 4 #9 Posted February 4, 2010 You have to know that being on this site, I am a Wheel Horse lover. I must say that I had 4 small grandkids and wanted the same for them. I bought 2 Miniture Mustang tractors and they wore them out from a early age. I cold eben drive them. I just gave one to my neighbor for his 5 year old and watch her really have fun. A block of wood under the pedal kept them from going to fast until they got older. I saw a nice little Mustabg at the last show I went to for $150.00. Perfect for small kids. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nylyon-(Admin) 7,880 #10 Posted February 5, 2010 I would say that a 70's C series automatic is the one to get. The reason is that these tractors have a very easy to use directional lever, clear center section for them to put their feet, mufflers out of the way, and not likely to tip over. RJ's a are a good size, and I've never driven one but I'm told that they can do wheelies pretty easily. While fun for us adults, scary for kids, well the first time they do it anyway B) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,189 #11 Posted February 5, 2010 I agree with the guys who mentioned the safety concerns of putting a youngster, especially a beginner on an RJ. There are just way too many moving parts and hot things for a little one too touch. One of my boys is 7 and he can handle any of the tractors I own like a pro (he started young) but I still wouldn't put him on an RJ yet. The first tractor that came too mind for me when I read this post was a Lawn Ranger. My 15 yr old son learned how too run a tractor on a Lawn Ranger 8 yrs. ago. Wh fan mentioned the concerns of stirrups. This is very true. The owner of the company I work for (75yrs old) was working on his horse farm on an older tractor 5 yrs ago and somehow his leg got caught under the rear wheel and he lost his leg from the knee down. He was no beginner but accidents do happen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TT-(Moderator) 1,162 #12 Posted February 5, 2010 Other than tire size, a Lawn Ranger is just as big as any other front-engined round hood. Since you don't need to put your feet down when you stop, height is not an issue on a tractor - especially since an adult should be present to assist the child while getting on and off the machine. Something automatic would probably be better - and preferably something like a B-100 with the wide fenders and full footrests. I wouldn't recommend a mid-engine tractor to any inexperienced child, and I know of a few adults who shouldn't be allowed near them either. B) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rickv1957 74 #13 Posted February 5, 2010 My son started out on a 753 with custom spacer on cutch pedal at 4 yrs old and done well,Rick Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
6wheeler 669 #14 Posted February 6, 2010 :clap: Thanks for the advice guys. As I have said before, the advice and info I have recieved from this sight is fantastic. I really appreciate it, and those folks whom set REDSQUARE up are to be commended . As a sidenote, My nephew called me yesterday and told me the old massey ferguson I built for him in 1988 is sittin in my dads old chicken house. It is an early 70s 6hp. but the engine is junk. It has big fenders and a well protected platform for little feet . So, when it gets nice out we will make the 5 hr. trip to retrieve it. NOT a but, it is red . thanks again Pat Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtieguy 334 #15 Posted February 7, 2010 Just my 3 cents worth...I have triplet grandsons that will be 3 yrs old this summer....having been around Wheel Horses for 30 years, I picked the Lawn Ranger to be their first tractor....since they were born, I have acquired 3 Lawn Rangers and 3 WH carts...we are going to have an fun summer!!! I was raised on a farm and learned to respect tractors at a very young age ..so I plan to add some type of "running boards" on the Lawn Rangers so the little guys won't get their feet under the back wheel.... Another feature might be a remote kill switch...Tractor Supply sells a go cart that has a remote that will start and STOP the engine.....(all moms probably ought to have a remote button!!!) I am not a fan of the vertical engine WH's so I sold the only one that I had....but probably should have kept it for the boys...a B-82....easy to steer, running boards already there and geared to run SLOW!.... What ever tractor you choose for your kids, never let them ride with you while you have the deck on and engaged...I personally know a dad that let his son ride on his lap and by some freekin accident, the little guy fell off and his foot got under the edge of the deck....severed all of his heel right off his foot...not a pretty site and you can imagine how the dad felt! .... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WH nut 553 #16 Posted February 7, 2010 Nylon hit the nail on the head, anything Auto is perfect , My son started out at 3 with an Auto and he mastered it quite fast. No need to hit the pedals with and Auto Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
refracman 167 #17 Posted February 7, 2010 I would suggest starting out with a battery powered car/truck/dune buggy. They will learn steering in relation to speed and also stopping distance. The newer battery powered ones have a top speed of 5.5 -6 mph. So speeds are similar and its a easy learnig curve. My girl started out with a buggy at 3 and by the time she was 5 she had driveing the c160 auto down pat. And at 9 she had he own go cart. Also if she cant start, shut down, check gas, oil , tires whatever it is she cant drive it, although I still add the fuel and oil she is learning (unlike her mother ) there is more than just driveing it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rwilson 128 #18 Posted February 7, 2010 I dont thing an rj or suburban would be too good, with the motor in the back like that. Dont want to burn your kids legs do you? Just my .02 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites