Gas kart for my son

My son has loved his gator project. 24 volts makes the thing scoot pretty well(12mph). He's demonstrated to be a good safe driver, and precise with steering. The gator only has a gas pedal, when you let off, you cause it to brake. So getting use to a brake pedal will be new. Looking to upgrade him to a gas kart for next summer, or maybe this fall if I find the right deal. Here is my issue, he is 4, and isn't all that tall(even by 4 yo standards). I'm concerned that he won't be able to reach the pedal. Do these things typically have a seat adjustment? I'm thinking something like what is in this craigslist ad. http://burlington.craigslist.org/rvs/4002116049.html Realistically, what are the top speed of these things? I'd hate to get something that is slower.

They make pedal extensions. Check places like fastech racing, or acceleration karting.

I got nothing on those otherwise.

if you are concerned about speed, you could adjust the throttle linkage so it doesn't open the throttle all the way when the pedal is pushed all the way down.

Not concerned so much about speed, as I am the learning curve with brakes. He'll catch on. His current electric rig, automatically hits the brakes rather than let the thing coast.

Yes, those things will go pretty fast. I have one...though it's still not running right. My boys are 9 and 6. You can get pedal extenders...or make them from simple brackets and pieces you can get at the hardware store. Best thing for a little one is to limit the throttle. That way you can keep it from going faster than you can run. Otherwise, they'll do 25-30mph plus without any problems. I'd bet if you give it enough room, it'd hit 40.

Some have seat sliders, some don't. Find one with a slider if you can, they're great.

There are new ones, mostly Chinese, that you can buy as a kit and build. They have remote shut offs so that you can kill the ignition from 100ft. We bought one a few years ago. It was awesome...when it worked. But it quickly developed problems, cheap crap.

For a 4 year old, I'd be OK with it, just keep the speeds low and teach him over and over and over about brakes. Then teach him again.

You can get those remote shut-off switch on eBay for pretty cheap and add it to whatever buggy you buy. It a good safety measure.

I added one on my kid's jeep after the throttle stuck.

If you really are worried, those things usually have mechanical brakes, so you can put a bit of drag in the brakes at first while he learns.

If you are up for a trip to NJ I have one of those (without the roll cage) that I put together for my niece that she outgrew. I have to pick it up from my sister and could be motivated to do so if it would go to good use. The seat isn't on a slider but is adjustable, you just have to unbolt it and bolt it in the new position.

It's currently got a gear reduction on it so its a good slow learner cart that you can pull the gear reduction off of later as he learns and can handle more speed.

As fanfoy noted, a remote kill switch is a great idea and you can induce some brake drag to force a stop.

JThw8,

If sachilles takes a pass, I know somebody that would be interested.

-Rob

If you get a 2wd you can easily move the driven sprocket over and put in a jack shaft reduction setup after the clutch/CVT to slow it down.

Thanks for tips, I'm sure we'll figure it out just fine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5wFIIy3iDM

Jthw8, I appreciate the offer, but I'll pass. I really want one with a cage. He's proven the need.

Using the gator roll cage video

sachilles wrote: Jthw8, I appreciate the offer, but I'll pass. I really want one with a cage. He's proven the need.

No worries, I won't try to talk you out of it other than to say I did my damndest to try and roll this thing and it wont roll. Cages can be added easy too.

Rob_Mopar wrote: JThw8, If sachilles takes a pass, I know somebody that would be interested. -Rob

Rob, I'll keep you posted, its still sitting down at my sister's in Frederick MD and I haven't had a good excuse to drive down there with the Colony Park and get it.

Thanks John!