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Friday, July 14, 2006

Death by weedwhacker!

Ok, so we've only had the new lawn tractor a week (and some) and my children have been very good driving it and being very careful, etc. However yesterday they very nearly caused their parents to have a massive aneurysm.

There is a slight ledge from the back of the barn (floor) to the concrete pad (outside). When the kids clean the stalls they have to wheelbarrow the stuff out the back of the barn. In order to get the wheelbarrow in and out of the barn we throw down a piece of plywood as a makeshift ramp.

When we bought the new tractor we also bought a dump cart to go with it just so the kids could use it instead of making the long trek with a heavy wheelbarrow load.

Yesterday they were cleaning the pens. They decided that since the wheelbarrow goes out the back ... so must the tractor. They decided that plywood probably would not hold the tractor so they used a wire fence panel.

The phone call I got at work left me with a vision I did not want. Apparently the wire fence panel was now mashed up in the mower deck. (Please ignore the gurgling sound, that's just my blood leaving the vessels in my brain).

Here's the interesting catch, they could have gone out the front of the barn and through a gate and around the barn to the back, but according to one of my girls, since that was a longer trip it would use more gas. I certainly do appreciate the idea of conserving. I did have to explain to her that any amount of damage that would have to be repaired on the tractor wouldn't even TOUCH the micro-pennies saved on gas.

Anyway, we got home and man-handled the tractor up and over the piece of fence it was trying to become one with and other than a scratch or two under the mower deck, everything seems fine (oh, yeah, except the fence panel which isn't quite straight any more).

They are well aware that if they break the mower they will be cutting the grass one blade at a time with scissors! I know we all need to learn our lessons, I just wish they could pick cheaper tools to learn them with.
Pushed by Pusher Robot at 11:02 AM

See what Blogger Shover Robot had to say about the experience!
See what Blogger Pusher Robot had to say about the experience!
See what Anonymous Anonymous had to say about the experience!

3 Terrible Secrets of Space:

Blogger Shover Robot revealed...

Well I always thought you were being brave letting the girls use this tractor so soon.

But like I said Up to you and have to learn the hard way. :)

10:07 PM  
Blogger Pusher Robot revealed...

S.R.
I was driving "regular size" farm tractors by their age ... I think they can handle a little one :)
They had the concept right and they treat the tractor with care and respect. It's just their engineering skills that sucked :)
P.R.

10:22 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous revealed...

Enjoyed a lot! » » »

5:09 AM  

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