February 4, 2026
Wood you ride this tractor?
Tractor
Dad’s DIY electric tractor for his toddler sparks wood-vs-metal brawl and mower-mod mayhem
TLDR: A dad finished a pint-sized electric tractor for his child with a plywood frame and small motor. Comments ignited a wood-versus-metal fight, safety concerns about sharp edges, and calls to use a cheap old Craftsman mower base—spotlighting the DIY tug-of-war between charm and practicality.
An adorable, slow-and-steady electric mini-tractor for a 3-year-old just rolled out of a garage—and straight into a comment-section rodeo. The builder went with a plywood body, a small 350W motor, and farm-chic quirks like a solid rear axle and a brake that’s “slightly better than not having a brake at all.” Cue the internet: a self-identified farmer stormed in declaring wood a baffling chassis choice, triggering a full-on wood vs. metal dust-up.
Practical tinkerers brought receipts: one converted an old lawn mower to electric after gas engines kept failing, while another insisted the smart move is a cheap pre-2000 Craftsman mower base with a proper differential to fix the steering drama. Safety hawks piled on with “round those sharp corners for kids!” and the thread briefly swerved into wholesome fandom when a commenter shouted out the builder’s other project, protohackers.com.
Meanwhile, the toy’s quirks became memes. Folks cackled over the line about having to lean forward to steer as an adult, and the builder’s confession that it can “wheelie to the side” got turned into the day’s catchphrase. The vibe? Heartwarming dad-daughter build meets barnyard brawl of opinions—from “this rules” to “this needs steel, a diff, and fewer shin destroyers.”
Key Points
- •Electric tractor uses a 350W brushed DC motor with a 36V Li-ion e-bike battery.
- •Solid rear axle and a front axle that pivots on a center pin for terrain compliance.
- •Rear cable-operated disc brake provides limited braking effectiveness.
- •Adjustable seat accommodates both toddlers and adults; handling is poor for adults due to weight distribution.
- •Steering modeled on Ferguson TE20 using a custom gearbox with angle grinder bevel gears and 3D-printed PC-Max parts; installation required in-chassis assembly.