Kids love big ride on loaders and tractors. That’s why the the Kettler Cat Kid Tractor and Peg Perego John Deere Loader pedal ride on toys are so popular. They are the best selling toy loaders and tractors in the market today. But buying a big ride on toy like this is an expensive decision to make. Complicating your decision more you find similar looks, features, and price ranges on the John Deere and CAT ride on toy tractors and loaders for sale. But this article will help you make your decision.
Comparison of Best CAT & John Deere Ride-on Pedal Loaders for Kids
Here are top 5 CAT and John Deere Pedal Loaders and tractors in the market. This comparison chart highlights important features to consider in making your decision. You can also check Amazon for customer reviews and latest discount prices of these valuable ride-ons.
| Product | Name | Type | Age | Dimensions | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | CAT Construction Pedal Tractor: Backhoe Loader (Front Loader and Excavator/Digger) | Pedal | 3 - 8 years | 46 x 16 x 22 inches | Check on Amazon » |
  | CAT Construction Pedal Tractor: Front Loader Tractor with Detachable Trailer | Pedal | 3 - 8 years | 32 x 16 x 18 inches | Check on Amazon » |
  | Peg Perego IGOR0039K John Deere Ground Force Tractor with Trailer 12 Volt Battery and Charger | Battery Powered | 2 - 6 years | - | Check on Amazon » |
  | Rolly Toys John Deere Pedal Tractor with Working Loader and Backhoe Digger | Pedal | 3+ years | 47 x 16 x 23 inches | Check on Amazon » |
  | Rolly John Deere 3 Wheel Trac with Trailer Ride On | Pedal | 2.5 to 5 years | 40.2 x 15 x 22 inches | Check on Amazon » |
Check on Amazon » |
Update: Below is a comparison of what used to be two of the most popular kids pedal tractor loaders. But the Peg Perego John Deere Loader we comparison here is no longer available. Peg Perego John Deere Front Loader in the chart above has taken its place now. Kettler Cat Kid Tractor pedal tractor is still available. You can also check this post for other John Deere ride-ons too.
Pedal Kettler Cat Kid Tractor Vs Peg Perego John Deere Loader
In this review I’m going to compare the Kettler Cat Kid Tractor pedal tractor ride-on against the Peg Perego John Deere Loader ride-on. I hope to highlight each pedal ride on toys individual merits and shortcomings and help you form a informed decision regarding them. I choose these two pedal loaders to compare because they are two of the most popular kids pedal loader ride ons in the US today. They are also made by two very well known and reputable kids ride-on toy manufacturers. Both these ride on loader tractors are in the same price range. They are Licensed Merchandise of John Deere farm vehicle and Caterpillar construction vehicle companies respectively. But first here are two pictures of these two kids pedal tractor loaders we will be comparing.
Check Pedal Kettler Cat Kid Tractor on Amazon »
Peg Perego John Deere Loader Currently Unavailable »
Price of these Kids Ride on Pedal Loaders:
Price wise both of these products are not cheap toys. Even for large ride on toys or pedal toy tractors they are expensive decision for parents to make. The Kettler Caterpillar kids tractor and the John Deere loader both are around two hundred dollars.
So considering the price and at a glance of the two pedal ride on’s, the Kettler CAT tractor has a obvious advantage because it comes with a detachable hauling trailer which the Peg Perego John Deere Loader hasn’t got. A trailer can be attached to the John Deere loader which must be purchased separately.
Recommended Ages And Adjustable Tractor Seat:
Kettler Catepillar Kid loader is suitable strictly for two to four year old children. But the Peg Perego John Deere pedal loader has a longer age range of two to six years because it has a adjustable seat that accommodates your child’s growth. Due to this fact one may say Peg Perego John Deere kids loader can be used longer by a kid than a Cat Kettler pedal loader.
Size of The Kids Toy Ride-on Loaders:
The John Deere kids loader measures 25 x 19.5 x 38 inches in size and weighs 34 pounds. The Kettler Catepilllar kids loader (without the trailer) is 17.7 x 15.8 x 32.1 inches in size and weighs 23.4 pounds. So the John Deere loader is slightly bigger than the Cat Loader which contributes for its ability to accommodate 5 and 6 year old kids.
Maximum Weight Capacity
Here too the John Deere loader has the advantage. It can accommodate kids of 65 pounds as oppose to the Kettler CAT loader’s 50 pound weight limit.
How To Assembly the Toy Loader Tractor Ride-ons
Both of these loaders comes packaged in parts and you have to assemble them. In both these products cases, you find very poorly written assembly instructions and diagrams. Also assembling certain portions of both these toys is very difficult and sometimes you need two adults combined efforts. This has lead to many customers being frustrated with the loader they bought. So if you buy either of these be warned you. You are going to find assembling them a big challenge and not a thing to be left to do on a birthday or special holiday morning. Assembling the toy kid loaders will take patience and at least two hours of concentrated effort.
Peddling And Loading Ability of the Ride on Loaders
Out of all the things we have compared between these two kid loaders its stated features and ability to do what the product description says in real life is the most important. First lets look at the Kettler Cat Kid Tractor. Kettler described their product as a fully functional front kids peddle loader which is able to scoops up big piles of dirt, sand, or snow. The peddling ability according to buyers, their kids finds it okay to pedal on flat driveways and lawn and within homes, but they say it’s hard to pedal on more challenging terrain.
Also the product description by Kettler says the loader has got sturdy resin tires with rubberized treads. However many customers have complained that the tires are completely resin and you don’t find rubberized thread on it. As for the loader, most customers are happy with its ability to load, collect and unload things from the bucket. Kids are using this Kettler bucket loader to collect their toys, laundry and other small things that lie on the floor and move them around the home.
The Peg Perego John Deere loader also fares the same in this regard. Peg Perego says with their toy loader 2 to 6 year old children can pedal and maneuver their very own tractor with a real heavy-duty front loader that scoops, carries and dumps. The dumping and scooping is fine with the John Deere loader and kids seem to love it. But like the Kettler loader it can use rubberized tires for better traction.
The Bottom Line
Considering all these aspect both these toy loaders I think both these are great products but with shortcomings. Certainly in both of them you find that assembly is difficult and they are not the best pedal toys in the market. But their resemblance to the real vehicles and for their ability with the bucket loader scooping, carrying and dumping they make great gifts to kids. If I’m pressed for a choice I would say I like the John Deere Peg Perego Loader because it is bigger and also has a larger back tires not to mention the John Deere bucket seat looks more comfortable for the kids than the Kettler Cat pedal loader.
You can find out each pedal toys latest price as well as read reviews by visiting their respective pages on Amazon at Kettler Cat Kid Tractor and John Deere Peg Perego Pedal Loader
Great to have information. These are expensive decisions for parents!