Unfortunately it is all too common, but then so are the inevitable resultant accidents.

The farm down the road from ours is run by people who either don't think much of their kids, or just don't think much PERIOD. They think it great fun for the kids to sit on the front of the implement when ground breaking, plowing or disc'ing, with a gun and they skeet shoot the seagulls, then plow them under on the next pass. They've been doing so for some years now, I keep waiting to hear they've plow one of the kids under also.

To a much slighter degree, I am guilty of a similar sin. Deputy Dog, my faithful side-kick gets all bent out of shape if I get behind the wheel of ANYTHING he's not in also, so he often rides with me.

HOWEVER, he is, even if he doesn't agree, a DOG !!!

I also have a CUT with a full cab, so even if he wanted to he couldn't get anywhere near the tires, or worse.

My neighbour has three little tykes, he asked me last year when he stepped up from a lawn tractor to a CUT what I thought about 'riders' on it. The kids wanted a ride.

My answer was simple, we'll build a proper wagon, with seats and seat belts, even a seat for mother, and when the work is done, take the kids for a 'hay ride'. It worked out better than we hoped. He also now has a 'bargaining chip' with the kids, if they don't behave while he's working, they don't get a ride afterwards. He even thinks it's safer than walking down the road to visit the horse farm, since the kids are belted in and can't dart out in front of traffic.

Best of luck.

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