Top Race 5-Channel RC Front Loader Tractor - 14" Electric Construction Truck with Lights & Sounds - Perfect Digger Toy for Boys and Girls Ages 3+

Yes, I know, it is an earth mover : -) Finally, the little thing arrived - it is actually for my boys - buuuut Daddy has to make sure that it is working properly. Done, I unpacked the excavator- okay, batteries for the remote control are missing - I always keep spares anyway - AA's sorted, done, accu pack for the front loader is on and already charged - of we go.Safety: it's a good thing that accu as well as remote are secured with a cross head screw; this will prevent my boys from trying to remove the batteries. First test on the garden path, remote control is switched on, and so is the front loader with the slide switch.Safety: Positive note for the remote control that it has a flexible antenna which can't snap or hurt someone, someone has thought about that feature! How scared I was in the past to leave the kids alone with a remote in their hands, they always seem to turn into swords. Finally an indestructible antenna.Now, however, let's talk about the control: This one is really dead easy to use and, contrary to some other remote controls, very responsive, and the keyed-in commands are consistently put into action. My little one got it right on his first attempt, and it sits well in his hands.Functions: Yellow joysticks on the controller make it move back and forth, if one pushes a button, the front loader turn either to the left or right, making the wheels on the left or on the right move in pairs at the same time. In principle, this is a quattro drive, since it uses all four wheels to move if one presses both joysticks forwards or backwards at the same. Both joysticks forward: the front loader moves straightforward (fast), both joysticks backwards: The front loader moves backwards fast.The two front buttons at the top of the remote control will lift or lower the shovel, and work while standing still, or while driving.Sound: The sound comes only from the remote control, 4 sound buttons are available on the remote control - they are activated with the button on the bottom right: Mute/Sound - 3 melodies (volume is somewhat annoying, I would stick some transparent tape across the loudspeaker, preferably, before the kids work out the capacity of the sound). Bottom right button sound= engine noises. Top left button sound= 'Hi Kid let's play together', after that engine starting noise, top right button sound: siren/horns. Both front buttons: noise of a mechanical excavator arm or something like thatLighting: the excavator lights up from the operator's cab in red-blue, which is, however, not very visible during the day. It's actually good that way.Off road handling: The front loader has some power under its belt and is very fast, it's also quite easy to pick up sand with the shovel (see video), Warning, unfortunately, the wheels start spinning in dry sand. It battles inclines very well as long as these are not too bumpy or full of chunky obstacles. The shovel might help at times to get out of some sticky situations. It is very manoeuvrable and speedy. It even manages to cross a normal lawn, which proved to be somewhat difficult for other bigger cars, like those remote controlled SUVs.Conclusion: super excavator with a huge fun factor. Since I already had some other remote controlled cars in the house, I can really recommend this front loader, especially with the antenna and the very good control. My boys have lots of fun with the excavator and frequently play with it, since they can not only let it drive but also make it work. I will buy another actual excavator from the company since the quality is really good and the device is convinced.Honesty is the best policy: I evaluated this product as part of a product test. I have put it through its paces, and since videos are one of my hobbies, I have made one for this test : -)

Despite receiving this product for free or at a reduced price, the review that follows is honest and unbiased.From toddlers to pre-teens, this toy can be a great way to keep the kids occupied this summer holiday for hours on end. As a late teenager myself, I found that although my days of toy boxes are long gone, this was a very fun little toy to play around with for a while, and using it in an obstacle course-style race against my younger brother (13) and sister (10), we found ourselves gripped in breaking previous lap times for over an hour.Ideas for an obstacle course could include:- Going around something (we used the product's box).- Going over something small (we used a small calculator).- etc. and we timed how long we spent using an iPhone stopwatch.The box is quite detailed and informative on the outside, which more than compensates for the lack of an instruction manual inside, although constantly referring to a large box every time can get a bit clunky and obstructive at times. Inside the box however, there really is nothing to complicate the process of getting to play with the toy, especially when you're being rushed by a child desperate to start playing with their present. When you open the box you are simply met by the toy tractor and the remote controller. As the manual informs you, the tractor can be removed by untangling the metal wire that you find on many children's toys these days. Unfortunately, removing the remote controller is a lot trickier because it is attached using a screw. The problem is that I tried every screwdriver in the shed and none fitted. However, I remembered that I had bought something else where a very small screwdriver was included. Luckily, that one worked and I managed to free the remote from the packaging. Although it may only be my lack of screwdrivers, I feel as if the type you need is very small and a special kind that not many people would have. For me, that would be the only problem and you may look to purchase what I think is the iPhone screwdriver. Consequently, the only piece of advice that I'd give the guys at Top Race Ltd. is to either use a more commonly used screw size, an alternative to a screw or just include a small screwdriver.My final point is probably the best thing about this toy: the price. It's such a pain these days to be able to grant the kids with a great gift (particularly toys like this) without burning a hole in your pocket and toy tractors which function as robustly and smoothly as this one usually set you back upwards of £50 and are so much dearer than this one.Overall, I would recommend this to anyone, particularly parents hoping for a piece of mind this summer break or looking for a great birthday present for a child.

This product appears to be rather more flimsy than I had hoped. I charged up the battery pack for the tractor and put in two batteries for the hand control and all appears to work. However, as this is intended as a gift for my grandson's fourth birthday, I have some misgivings as he seems to have the urge to test to his toys destruction! I hope it is robust enough to last a while, but as I piece of plastic railing fell off while I was trying it out, I have some doubts. It should provide a deal of entertainment while it lasts!

Brilliant and well worth theMoney

I bought this as a gift and having inserting batteries in both the remote and tractor it did not work at all. The remote made all the noises and tractor was flashing but no movement. No help from the instructions either so it has been returned

This item is being advertised as rechargeable but isn't and also that six AA batteries are included which they aren't, so false representation. Be aware of this.

Moves well on thick carpet and minor obstacles, deals well with rough treatment, good digger action

My 2yr old grandson enjoys using the remote and loves the toy! Susan