The authentic looking John Deere Turf Tractor is brilliant for keeping your little farmer in waiting happy for hours.

Specifically designed for the three to seven year old age group (although I know a couple of 2 year old kids who ride these!) it can achieve a top speed of 4.5 mph. No need to panic though, this speed can only be reached when your John Deere Turf Tractor is on the higher of the two available speed settings and can easily be locked out until your child is ready to step up a gear. There is also a reverse gear, which may take a bit more time for most kids to master. Starting them off without the trailer is a wise decision too until they can steer and control the tractor a little better.

As you would expect from any tractor the John Deere Turf Tractor can cope with many different types of terrain, everything in fact from small tree roots to wet leaves and mud. This is due to the dual rear driving wheels which have separate motors giving much improved traction. However, whilst some seem to be able to climb wet, grassy inclines other parents stated that like so many other toys of this type the wheels just spin. Fitting rubber bands is an ideal solution to this if it is a constant problem or, I am reliably told that putting duck tape around the wheels does the same job at much less cost!

The seat on this John Deere Tractor can be adjusted allowing your child to have many years of fun as they grow and it even has a real accelerator pedal letting your little chap get a real feel for driving.

John Deer Turf Tractor Features at a Glance:

* Rear driving wheels with independent motors

* 2 speeds - 2.5mph and 4.5mph, additionally there is reverse

* Higher speed setting can be locked out

* 12 volt rechargeable battery

* Detachable trailer

* Batteries for lights and sounds NOT included

The one problem which in the vast majority of cases is the only cause for complaint is the detachable trailer which comes with the John Deere Turf Tractor. It looks as if the general consensus is that it is not particularly well made and has been described to me on numerous occasions as being "flimsy." When the child attempts back the tractor up using the really cool reverse gear very often the trailer jack knifes and the plastic pin which holds tractor and trailer together breaks. It is possible to order a replacement from the manufacturer but this is not very cheap, I've been told it is around $20 plus post and packing. I also know of parents who have done their own diy job using various types of flat headed nails etc.

None of this however looks to dampen the enthusiasm for this tractor either from the parents/grandparents who have made the purchase or from the youngsters who play on it. The tractor itself is well made, durable and easy to put together (yes, you have to build it up.)

One point worth noting the battery needs 18 hours to charge fully first time round, so, if you are planning to give your child this for Christmas or a birthday best try to charge it in advance and save yourself and your child hours of misery! Once charged you should get around 2.5 hours of amazing fun.