Peg Perego John Deere Tractor/Loader: The One The Kids Fight Over
Written: Jun 20 '04
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Pros: John Deere! Tractor! Really works!
Cons: hollow plastic wheels
The Bottom Line: The Bottom Line is much happier with this great toy living across the street.
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| pippadaisy's Full Review: Peg Perego John Deere Loader Chain Drive/Pedal Con... |
Normally, I don't review very many toys that my children don't actually have themselves, because I don't feel that I spend enough time with them to review them properly. However, my children have a little friend across the street who is the same age as my eldest. He received the Peg Perego John Deere Loader Chain Drive/Pedal Construction Tractor (which henceforth will be known as the Peg Perego John Deere Tractor/Loader) for his birthday, and I have seen him on it I think every day (weather permitting since). Since he's finally allowing my kids to have a try this summer (since it's not the newest toy anymore), I thought I'd give it the review it deserves.
~&~ The Basics ~&~
The Peg Perego John Deere Tractor/Loader is a chain-driven pedal car, built exactly like a real John Deere lawn tractor. It is green plastic with yellow and black accents, and the chain guard has a yellow painted on chain (in case you aren't sure where it might be, I guess). A "control panel" surrounds the black and yellow steering wheel, which has a John Deere logo in the center. The steering wheel really does steer the wheels.
The Peg Perego John Deere Tractor/Loader features black plastic wheels; the back wheels are approximately 18" in diameter, and the front are about 10" in diameter. The rear wheels have green wheel covers, protecting small fingers that might reach in there while riding. The yellow plastic seat adjusts forward and backward, allowing for height differences between children.
Other features are a working loader; it has black supports, and a top handle pops off a locking bar to lower the loader to scoop, then a yellow handle on the right hand side lowers the loader to dump. A roll bar along the back of the seat has reflectors that show front and back, and a molded "grill" and "engine" in the front enhance the realistic look. The Peg Perego John Deer Tractor/Loader also has a "slow traffic" red and orange triangle behind the seat, and a built-in trailer hitch for towing the trailer wagon, sold separately.
~&~ Parents Perspective ~&~
The Peg Perego John Deere Tractor/Loader is a big hit to the pocket book, no matter how you slice it. At 25" wide by 52" long x 26frac12;" high, it's not easy to store, and assembly, from all reports, took a bit of time and patience.
In addition, the tires are hollow plastic. That might not seem like a big deal, but this creates two problems. One problem is that the wheels can crack. Mind you, this tractor is out CONSTANTLY, and the little boy who owns it can ride it for an hour just on his own, not including the time my kids put in on it, and replacement wheels are available from Peg Perego, but the thought of paying for new wheels for a toy this expensive wouldn't make me the happiest person on the block.
The other issue with the hollow plastic wheels is that they are noisy. Think of the Big Wheel of your childhood, and then multiply that. Half the time my daughter knows her buddy is outside playing because we can hear the wheels clear across the street, even with our windows closed.
One other quibble with the Peg Perego John Deere Tractor/Loader is the steering capabilities. Without the add-on trailer, it handles just fine, even with a three- or four-year-old riding it. However, add on the trailer (and who doesn't want a trailer on their tractor?) and it becomes slightly move difficult to steer going forward, but nearly impossible to steer going backward, which is a big thing for children who want to back into a leaf pile for dumping or pick-up.
~&~ Kid Value ~&~
As I've already mentioned, the kid value of this toy is absolutely priceless. Last year my kids didn't even get to TOUCH the Peg Perego John Deere Tractor/Loader because I don't think their buddy ever got off it to let them have a turn. This year, he has a new bike and another ride-on toy, but it's still one toy that always comes out during any play session.
I do think that it's earned its keep, even with the few quibbly issues that it has.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 149.00
Type of Toy: Other
Age Range of Child: 3 to 5 Years
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pippadaisy
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Divorce seriously cuts into the amount of time for reviewing.
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