Choosing a remote-control toy tractor: remote or app?

Remote or app?

There are two ways to steer a toy tractor.

With its own remote. Tractor and transmitter belong together and work straight away. Jamara's product names say "2.4 GHz" and "ready to run": the tractor drives without assembly or extra parts. Children do not need a phone or tablet.

With an app. Siku Control tractors are driven with the free SIKUCONTROL app on an Android or iOS phone or tablet. Siku says you can choose between a virtual joystick on the screen and steering by tilting the device. The app has to stay open in the foreground while you play. Siku also names a Bluetooth gaming controller and its own Bluetooth remote as options.

If a child should be able to play without a phone, pick a tractor with its own remote, or a Siku set that includes the remote.

Siku Control: scale models at 1:32

Siku's remote-control tractors are called Siku Control and are built to 1:32, the same scale as the ordinary Siku Farmer tractors. They match Siku trailers and implements of that scale.

For the Fendt 933 Vario with front loader and Bluetooth (6793), Siku writes that all functions and the five gears can be controlled through the app. The app also works the front loader, certain Joskin and Fortuna trailers and the Vogel & Noot plough. You switch the headlights, cab work lights, indicators and beacons on and off, and you update the tractor's software through the app. Siku gives a length of 24.5 cm.

There are more tractors in the range, for example the John Deere 7310R with front loader (6792), the New Holland T7.315 with front loader (6797), the Fendt 1167 Vario (6790) and the Claas Xerion 5000 TRAC VC (6791).

Set or single tractor? Siku sells the tractor without a remote, for app control. A set with the Bluetooth remote is sold separately. The catalogue has, for example, the Fendt 939 Set (6880) and the Claas Axion 850 Set (6882). Check the product page for what exactly is in the box.

RC tractors with a remote

Jamara makes RC tractors in several sizes. The My First RC Tractor comes as a Fendt, a Massey Ferguson and a Valtra; the product names give a length of 17.6 cm and sound. Bigger are the Fendt 1050 Vario at 1:16 and the Claas Arion 660 at 1:16. The JCB Fastrac with tipping trailer comes with a trailer.

TOMY makes the RC Johnny Tractor, a remote-control John Deere in the style of its Johnny Tractor toys. Korody has RC tractors with a front loader or pallet fork, such as the RC tractor with front loader, from age 3 according to its product name.

Which age?

Always check the age on the packaging. For the Siku Control Fendt 933 Vario, Siku states: not suitable for children under 36 months. That is the small-parts warning from the European toy rules; it does not mean a three-year-old can already work the app. A scale model with a front loader and implements takes fine motor skills and patience, and often a parent's help.

For the youngest children a tractor with a simple transmitter and few buttons fits better, such as Jamara's My First RC Tractor or TOMY's RC Johnny Tractor. Each product carries the age the manufacturer gives on the packaging, and usually on the product page too.

Batteries and charging

A remote-control tractor needs power, and so does the transmitter in most cases. Whether there is a rechargeable battery, whether batteries are needed and whether they are included differs per model. Some Korody tractors say "rechargeable" in the name. Read the product information before you order, so everything is ready on the birthday or on Christmas morning.

How to choose

• Young child, first RC tractor: a small tractor with its own remote, such as Jamara's My First RC Tractor.
• Already plays with Siku at 1:32: a Siku Control tractor, so trailers and implements fit. Take a set with a remote if no phone is to be used.
• Plays with Bruder or other 1:16 tractors: an RC tractor at 1:16, such as Jamara's Fendt 1050 Vario or Claas Arion 660.

You will find every tractor under tractors. Not sure which scale you have? Read our scale guide. For a Bruder tractor without remote control, there is our guide to choosing a Bruder tractor.