Tractor for my son (6-7 yo)

[rich_kildow]

My boy is getting obsessed with all things projectile and motors, and has been begging for something to drive and to help with fall cleanup.  He's almost 7 and drives anything I let him touch for hours and hours on end.  Obviously he's not going to get turned loose yet with a mower, but has been driving everything from power wheels to 200cc snowmobiles, kids dirt bikes, go carts, and a kids side by side for years at this point. 

I'm up on my large frame models and up from there, but I just don't follow the older, smaller tractors very much.  What are the smaller models that may be a good place to start for him?  Landlord, Broadmoors, B series, 7xx series, Yeoman, Serf, etc...they just haven't been my cup of tea up to this point.  Having a deck would be ideal in the future.

[SmilinSam]

I started my boys on mowing while standing there supervising when they were around 5 and 7 respectively on 728 type Broadmoors and a Yeoman I think. Made a custom pedal arrangement on the one tractor for the 5 year old so the pedal could be reached easily. Those machines were easliy available and cheap at the time .

Nowadays I would do it differentlly If I had to. Probably would go with a 90's type Broadmoor with a hand control hydro, or if the operator could easily reach the pedal, a early 2000' foot control Broadmoor....or newer Regent for that matter. All those are getting pretty cheap to come by and are so far plentiful. These newer ones would in my opinion be a easier to operate machine and a safer machine to start on.

Something else on this subject that must be stated in this public venue is that all kids are different in regards to level of maturity and responsibility. You cant just turn any kid loose on a mower, supervised or not. If a kid has chores and responsibilities around the home and does them readily, then they might be ready for new more responsible jobs. If they fight their existing responsibilities, then they probably are not ready to move up the ladder.  Every parent has to weigh all this themselves. and make their decisions accordingly.

[PhanDad]

I agree with What Sam wrote above, especially with the responsibility statements. 
That said, I’m partial to old iron and an old Yeoman or Broadmoor would be a smaller “starter” tractor. 
However both of my girls grew up using my T-12 Hommie. The hand operated hydro made it easy to be operated by a youngster.  It’s a bit smaller than the 7100series. 
So if the larger size tractor is OK, I’d look for a Simplicity 7000/AC 700 series hydro tractor.  I’m partial to the 7016H late model with gear tooth starter Briggs. 
Since you already have 7100 series stuff, you only need to find a good tractor - all the attachments from the 7100 series will work on the 7000 series.  When they’re old enough to mow, a 42” deck is a bit easier to maneuver (and more tractor time too). 
As to setup, move the seat as far forward as necessary and block up the clutch/brake pedal so it’s useable in an emergency.  
 

[dhoadley]

I find steering on the large frames to be much harder than the small frames. Old Broadmoors can still be had for $100+/- running.

[GWGAllisfan]

I learned on a B-10, so young we had two 2x4's bolted to the brake pedal so I could reach it, but it is important to note that slope stability, at least of a B-series is greatly reduced when the mower deck is absent.  Pulling a cart or wagon seems to make it worse.

Also the weight of the mower deck makes the front wheel pull-up less common, or at least more controllable. So I would suggest having the deck on it, maybe with belt removed, or a deck with no blades.

I turned one over on me when I was 5 or 6 years old, and one of my daughters was injured when she rolled a B-1 over on herself. That was a great Memorial Day weekend.. not.

[mert1925]

I think you can get a kubota b2420.Looks ideal for a starter tractor.

[720nut]

B 207 would be my choice. although I started with a 20" push mower, was in my late teens before Dad decided to buy a rider, guess he decided we were going to be leaving soon and he didn't want to push the mower.   LOL

Edited December 28, 2021 by 720nut

[Brettw]

A Yeoman or Serf are a good sized tractor for a young kid, but are gear driven and as stated above may need to block the pedal in order for it to be useable safely.  They can be a good starter in that when in first gear they move quite slowly, at low/idle engine speeds you have to slow your walk to keep along side of it.  A good way to gradually get them learning. Teach that the key is the go-to emergency shut off too, in case of any situation where they sense an issue.  Stability as mentioned above is a big thing too.  I wouldn't necessarily cut loose a new operator on hilly or tight terrain.  Just my opinion.

[MikeES]

 

On 10/26/2021 at 12:17 PM, SmilinSam said:

Something else on this subject that must be stated in this public venue is that all kids are different in regards to level of maturity and responsibility. You cant just turn any kid loose on a mower, supervised or not.

I agree.    My son loves tractors and was driving the HB212 (hydro) at 5, and was driving a pulling tractor with no help at 7.  But he was born a gearhead and any tractor, car, truck, motorcycle, snowmobile, semi truck is instantly and extension of himself.  

[steve-wis]

My grandson got started with my 627 yeoman.  He was about 8 years old and if he slid up on the seat he could push the clutch pedal in but couldn't hold it for long.  I was always within 10 feet of him and he mowed in low gear.  Sadly, after a couple of years he seems to be following in his dads footsteps,,,,, has outgrown tractors and now plays farm simulator on the computer instead.  But he will always know what using a machine like the ones we all love is like.

Steve

[TheFlash300]

I agree with all the statements about avoiding the gear transmission tractors, a hydro will be easier.

I have have used a 4212G  small frame tractor for more than a decade and my wife never wanted to drive it, because she didn't want to deal with the transmission or releasing the brake/clutch smoothly to avoid doing a wheelie. When I brought home my Sovereign 18H she sat on it while I rolled it off the tilt trailer and proceeded to start it and drive it to the barn.

Take a look at the 4200 series tractors with hydros: 4211H, 4212H, 12LTH, 12RTH from 1980-1992. They are strong small tractors.

[Bill725]

I learned how to mow on a 725 when I was 7 and taught my son how to drive the same 725 when he was 5. The 725 is a gear drive. Great way for kids to learn how to operate a clutch. And I still prefer a stick shift over an automatic.

Edited December 31, 2021 by Bill725

[PhanDad]

3 hours ago, Bill725 said:

And I still prefer a stick shift over an automatic.

Me too on a car or truck - but not so much on our tractors.