Can Kids Operate Tractors?

The average child between the ages of 13 to 17 are not strong enough to operate the controls on 40 different models of tractors commonly used on American farms, said Barbara Marlenga, Ph.D. of the National Children’s Center citing a new study.

The study provides objective evidence that could assist in establishment of evidence based minimum-age recommendations for children and tractor operation.  The study tested the efforts required to operate tractor controls in real-life field settings.  In addition, the tractor force data were collected as part of a larger set of anthropomorphic variables.

This study was meant to provide a more comprehensive picture of the ability of children of varying physical abilities to effectively operate tractors and the factors that impinge upon their safety.  The study called "Forces required to operate controls on farm tractors: Implications for young operators."