[flatfenders]

Well, today was the day!

7:00 am....it was Saturday morning, and all the sudden we were awaken by the screams of a little boy....

"Hey, IT'S SNOWING!!"

"IT'S SNOWING! IT'S SNOWING!!!!!"

"IT'S SNOOOOWWWWIIIING!"

"Hey Daddy get up, you know what?! It's snowing outside! We've got to build snowmen, make a fort, go sledding and plow snow!"

I tripped over myself, pulling on my boots as fast as I could, and stretching my arms into my winter coat. My little boy was already headed out the door in his parka, and grabbing his little snow shovel off of the front stoop.

The morning cold, which my son seemed immune to, forced a shiver up my spine. I struggled to keep my eyes open in the orange sunlight which reflected off a this new white world. There was barely an inch on the ground, but the first snow of the season is always magical.

With a pull of the starter cord, the morning was no longer silent. My son dropped the plow blade with a clank, and headed down the driveway on his old Wheel Horse. Bright eyes, rosy cheeks and a wide smile, as the snow rolled off the edge of his red blade.

Have a great holidays everyone!

Daniel

 

[Kbeitz]

One Happy kid...
A day he will never forget...

 

[LilysDad]

I like that third picture! How old is that boy? He's sure handy for his age.

 

[glenn27]

Thank you for bringing your family to us .:thanku:.
That is something he will never forget--

Kids are only there once--cherish it , my friend!!:fing32:

glenn

 

[Artpb]

Awesome pics, Thanks

 

[Teddy da Bear]

It's interesting how you worked out the pedal position for him.

That blade seems out of proportion to the size of the tractor.

I am amazed the lad can lift it.

 

[BOSOX]

Great pictures, thanks for posting them!

 

[Yamaguy]

That is awsome!!! Thanks for the pics

 

[flatfenders]

Thanks folks!

My son is 5 years old, and this was a tractor that I restored with him over the course of a year. My son did more watching than restoring, but he did help out with the parts of the job that he found interesting, and hopefully learned a little along the way.

The tractor is a '62 Lawn Ranger. I built a set of side steps with foot guards for the rear tires. I also added the extra brake pedal, so that he could operate it more safely. All of the custom parts bolt on, and can be removed when he grows up...which hopefully will not be too fast!raying:

The snow plow is an original Wheel Horse Lawn Ranger plow that we restored recently. Definitely a large blade, and no, he can not lift it yet, but he can get it to drop most of the time. Which is OK for now, because I am right there supervising as he uses it, so I do not mind lifting the plow for him. He eventually figured out that he could just leave the plow down the whole time, and just back up in his tracks before starting the next row. It's amazing how resourceful kids can be!

I am still kicking around some ideas to make the lift a little easier for him, and an electric start may be something I add in the future as well.

I actually have another thread for the tractor on the Red Square site with some of the restoration pictures, and did plan to post them here someday. So if some of you folks have seen these pictures before, I apologize.

:thanku:

Best regards,
Daniel

 

[Kbeitz]

Just put a helper spring on the handle...

 

[JimD]

Absolute picture GOLD! It just doesn't get any better than that. :thanku:

 

[Olratlr]

Thanks for sharing pictures and story with us.
:trink39:

 

[gerryw]

Great story, great pics, fantastic smile!! Bet that's one kid who loves his Dad!

It's sad how something that used to fill us with joy and playfullness becomes work and cold! It takes a young person with that huge grin to let us remember!

That last shot, should be on a calendar somewhere!!

Thanks for the story, and memories!

Gerry :thanku: