A tractor for my little boy...

[dlpaw 3]

My wife used to show tractors before I met her, and this helped me to become interested in them. After fixing up a basket case Economy tractor for myself, I decided that it would be nice if I had a small tractor that my son could learn on, and that we could bring along with us to the various farm and engine shows that we like to frequent.

A '62 Wheel Horse 32R Lawn Ranger fit the bill perfectly. It has a small profile and size that matches well to younger riders. It was affordable, and parts are easy to find. Plus, I was able to make some modifications to it, so that my boy could operate it more safely, and develop a respect for working with machinery. It will also be a platform for learning basic mechanics, and the tractor can grow with him, and may eventually be fitted with a mower when he is old enough.

I bought the old tractor online, and hauled it home in the back of a Jeep Cherokee...it fits nicely with the back seat folded down!

I surprised my little boy with it when he arrived home from school...his face tells the whole story! He had to wait a year before we could get the tractor all fixed up and working again, but as he watched the progress on the tractor, I feel that it may have helped him understand a little about patience.

The transmission was frozen solid when I picked it up due to water being inside of the case. After it thawed out, it was flushed out, and to save time, I just polished the shafts, replaced the seals, and repainted it. I am happy to say that it works pretty well. Here is a shot of a homemade gear puller being used to remove a stubborn brake drum...

The engine was an H60 out of a parts Lawn Ranger. It runs OK and had good compression, so I just cleaned it up, and installed the basics, but it will need some work in the future. Here is a before and after shot...the large air cleaner was modified to fit after I could not find the correct one.

The frame and body panels all received a light sandblasting and paint. I used Valspar restoration series paint, in IH Red color, and was very happy with the results. Three of the tires are originals, and just needed new inner tubes installed. The wheels were painted with Sherwin Williams Antique White spray paint. The seat is apparently off an older Wheel Horse, and is painted to match the wheels. The decals are from the folks at "Redo Your Horse".

Here is the almost finished tractor, (they are never really finished, are they?!), and one happy little boy!

Here is the most important modification I made so that it fits my son better. I welded up two diamond plate steps with guards on the rear of the step, and a tandem brake/clutch pedal control. The rear guards keep his feet from slipping rearward toward the tires, and the brake pedal is positioned so that he can reach it easily.

The extra pedal can also be removed quickly by pulling a set screw, in case dad or mom want to take a spin, (although I am tall enough that it does not bother me to leave it on when I use the tractor). The steps are completely removable, and mount with existing holes in the frame. The second pedal is off of another early wheel horse.

I look forward to any chance that I get to share time with my son, and I hope times that we spend with this little tractor become memories that will make him smile!

Thanks to those on this website that helped with my questions and parts needs!

Daniel

[earlleecliffton 38]

Nice,dad,and tractor

[AMC RULES 37,125]

Definitely calendar material right here. Awesome story and picts. Thanks for sharing. :banghead:

[Lane Ranger 10,943]

That last picture says it all !

Great job and lots of good times and stories to come.

:thumbs2:

[Gene_S 93]

Very nice job...

Memories are priceless... :thumbs2:

[dgoyette 12]

Awesome!

[fabricator2009 48]

:thumbs2:

[MikesRJ 552]

Very cool. One happy little boy, and memories to last a lifetime. :thumbs2:

[rmaynard 15,417]

Great job on the restoration and very nice foot rest/brake set-up.

[Kelly 1,029]

Very nice I like it, and it looks like he does also.

[jay in nc 210]

you did a wonderfull thing fixing that l.r. for your son . i have a charger v8 that is the designated niece&nephew tractor . sometimes i even am allowed to ride it! :thumbs2:

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,300]

Nice job on the tractor and doing it with your son and for your son....priceless !

Mike..........

[C-Series14 15]

That is what it is all about... :thumbs2:

[COMMANDO6 20]

I like the fact that the step/guards use existing holes in the frame.

When my dad and I restored our Commando when i was 7, I could just barely depress the clutch enough to make it clutch!

Nice job with the restoration, thats something that can grow with your son.

[dclarke 4,032]

Very nice!! Great idea on the foot boards. What paint did you use on it? It looks like new.

[312Hydro 474]

I've got to agree with the other members. That's such a wonderful project and your son's smile says it all! Put his tractor in the calender! Great picture :thumbs2:

[dlpaw 3]

Very nice!! Great idea on the foot boards. What paint did you use on it? It looks like new.

Thanks a bunch for all the compliments folks, it is my pleasure sharing the story with you!

The paint is Valspar restoration series IH red, and Sherwin Williams antique white

Thanks again!

Daniel

[littleredrider 409]

Glad to see the tires/wheels found a good home!!!!

Tractor looks awesome, as the smile on your boy's face!!!!

[Irv 115]

Priceless!!!!!!!! :thumbs2:

[hm12460 53]

Very nice job you did, the Economy looks good too. Don't you fellas hold this against me, but i bought my son John Deere 108 when he was 6 or 7. He will be 16 in month.

[chesbaycruiser 82]

Definitely calendar material right here. Awesome story and picts. Thanks for sharing.

Couldn't agree more.

[mavfreak 11]

Definitely calendar material right here. Awesome story and picts. Thanks for sharing.

Couldn't agree more.

I couldn't agree more either :banghead:

[COMMANDO6 20]

Definitely calendar material right here. Awesome story and picts. Thanks for sharing.

Couldn't agree more.

I couldn't agree more either

I couldn't agree more to agreeing more!

[dlpaw 3]

Well, just let me know who to submit the picture to if you folks want it for the calender, that would be an honor, and my little boy would have a heck of a memento to share with his friends!

Thanks again for the kind words!

Daniel

[Horse'n Around 22]

That's what its all about , He sure has a million dollar smile !

John