Tonka Preschool Front Loader/Backhoe
Written: Apr 08 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Durable; washable; can be used inside or out.
Cons: None
The Bottom Line: The Tonka Front Loader/Backhoe is great for children from 12 months to 6+ years. Durable and large enough for a Preschooler to handle and an older child to enjoy!
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| fisch's Full Review: Preschool Front Loader/Backhoe |
The Tonka Preschool Front Loader/Backhoe is recommended for children ages 18 months to 3 years. I believe the age range could easily be extended to 6+ years for boys and girls who love construction vehicles.
My 4-year-old son loves everything that has to do with construction equipment. He has a large collection of Tonka vehicles inside and out as well as Tonka computer programs, Tonka books, a construction video and he loves Nick Jr.'s 'Bob The Builder'. In fact, he wants to be a construction man when he grows up. With his vast collection of Tonka vehicles he has built roads, plowed snow, excavated lakes, dug for buried treasure and razed Lego & Lincoln log buildings just to name a few.
When I saw the Front Loader/Backhoe at Wal Mart for only $10, I couldn't pass it up. I thought it would make a great addition to his "inside" toy collection since it was a heavy duty plastic that would be less likely to mark up the walls. The Front Loader/Backhoe has lived up to the Tonka name for quality and durability, and is well used by my 4-year-old and 1-year-old.
Description
The Front Loader/Backhoe is made of thick, durable plastic versus the classic steel design which makes it appropriate for Preschool aged children. The front loader/backhoe is 14.5" fully extended x 10.25" wide x 11" high. The front loader, the backhoe, and the top half of the cab are bright Tonka yellow. The base of the rig is a bright blue with a large 4.5" wide cab that can accommodate a small driver or two. The wheels are black with a raised Tonka logo and yellow hubs. The wheels are large in diameter and will go over all 'rough' terrain. Two front wheels: 3" diameter x 1" thick; Two back wheels: 5.5" diameter x 2.5" thick.
· Front Loader
The front loader has a kid sized handle at the top of the bucket to make scooping up toys, dirt, sand and the like much easier. The loader arm can be raised straight up and then lowered slightly beyond ground level. The bucket dips towards the ground and then back up a full 180 degrees. The bucket measures in at 5.75" x 3.5" x 2" deep and can accommodate a good sized load of dirt, sand, or toys.
· Backhoe
The bright yellow backhoe has a handle along the arm of the backhoe and can be extended out 180 degrees and swiveled fully from right to left about. The bucket is stationary and measures in at 2.5" x 3" x 1.75" deep and will dig easily in loose sand, dirt, and gravel. The backhoe, unlike the front loader portion, requires two hands to operate; one to hold down the rig and the other to operate the backhoe.
The Front Loader/Backhoe has no sharp edges and the pinch zones (the moveable parts on the front loader and the backhoe) are such that they tend to push small fingers out of the way before pinching can occur. The rig is large and will not fit easily into a small toy box, but ours is used so frequently that it wouldn't stay in the toy box for very long anyway. The rig is easy to clean with a sharp stream of water from your garden hose. Drying time is somewhat lengthy during colder weather due to all of its nooks and crannies.
Recommendation
I would recommend the Front Loader/Backhoe as a starter Tonka toy for a preschooler or as an addition to an ever expanding Tonka collection. I think any child would really enjoy this construction vehicle.
See you at the Tonka 'construction site'. ;)
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The review you have just finished reading was part of a Kids & Family Toy Write-off hosted by jenni1396. ~~Happy Birthday!!~~~ Please be sure to check out the toys reviewed by my fellow participants:
Aahz, amknight, ar_c, bmcnichol, bpotter1, charlenep, char.mike, cherokeelady, CJsMommy, cntaur5, cyndicm, dad2nat, damienmommie, dandj, Debbie26, DEjrBudweiser8, dydx, goldjay, HawgWyld, jeanniekerns, jenni1396, jessica1137, jo.com, KateTPZ, kay67, kminer, lisado, Lisa_J, maggsmomm, MelissaSRN, mellkinwa, mimi369, mininut, mom2daniel, monical2me, mtbat, MumMumMum, naphtalia, nwinston, pacbaystat, Patch3boys, Presleysmama, quasar, RCarte2000, 77chelle, shantel575, sloving, smh32775, Staceys1, sweetsue_98, TazzyFoxy, tchoate, telefrog, three_ster, Trevsmom, trthomp, unowho72, willeftk.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 10.00
Type of Toy: Car, Truck or Raceway
Age Range of Child: 12 to 36 Months
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Epinions.com ID:
fisch
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Reviews written: 37
Trusted by: 6 members
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