My 1st JCB Big Wheeler Freddie Fastrac Review
My 1st JCB Big Wheeler Freddie Fastrac
Reviewed by Keith Mitchell
This toy arrived in an open type package and the immediate impact is one of a well presented and colourful toy. It is made of good sturdy plastic and certainly looks fit for purpose.
The main body measures approximately 26x17x17cm so it is chunky. The main body is predominantly black. The tyres are a good 4cm wide and are also black. The wheels are red as is the front bumper and main cab area. The bonnet which lifts up is yellow as are the flashes on the rear mudguards and the roof. The bonnet lifts to reveal a silver chunk of motor and the roof has a red button like projection to server as a light The front of the bonnet is black with a white piece as a smile, the main part, looking like a nose. On the front of the cab area are two eyes and eyebrows with the letters JCB on each side. At the rear of the body is a hinged plastic knob to attach the bright green rake device which is a good idea so the whole unit becomes flexible. The axles for the wheels are a cross piece type plastic construction and quite substantial. Will they stand up to the rigours of a lively pair of testers? We shall see.
So far so good, now for the “road test” by an 18 month old boy and a 3 year old boy, who loves tractors. Initial reaction to the toy was one of great delight from the 3 year old. Quickly unpacked and the connection of the two pieces and we are off! First the back lawn was given a stern raking with plenty of imagination and attention. The vegetable plot received some TLC and the incumbent weeds were given short shrift by Fearless Freddie. It was a dry few days so no mud to practice on. Then the concrete pathway was used as a super highway. Later the long piled carpet was also subjected to stern road use and raking. All surfaces came through with flying colours as this tough little tractor took all in its stride. The wide plastic tyres imitating the real ones, making this toy easy to push along, don’t get bogged down. The axles stood up to the hard work very well indeed.
Now the acid test, enter the 18 month old tester. Freddie Tractor is then used and abused as only a sub 2 can manage, even to the extent of the concrete ”highway” being beaten soundly. Throughout a 3 hour stint between the two boys Freddie has taken a SERIOUS pounding with no ill effects and is still smiling.
Freddie was left out overnight in the rain with no ill effects. A new visit by the testers was preceded by a 3 year old’s request to “go and play with the tractor again”. So Freddie had clearly made an impression there. Much whooping with delight and rush to assist Freddie racking the grass again.
In summary I would say this is a well-made toy. It is visually attractive to budding young enthusiasts and appears tough enough to take the majority of use and abuse associated with the young, indoors or out. I would consider this very good value for money (£9.99) and the sort of toy that will give hours of pleasure to the fertile mind. Freddie is revving up waiting for the testers next visit! I can see that there are several other similar toys on the firms site so I expect that several more will be purchased for birthdays to add to the enjoyment Freddie has brought.
Rating: 5/5 
RRP: £9.99
Available to buy from Amazon here.
