Boxford Resources System

The ride on tractor is another example of trying toys made of wood.

On the ride on tractor just like any ride on toy it is assumed that a grandparent or parent may sit on the toy cradling an infant, the unit must be able to easily handle the stress and weight.

It is worth reminding you that the EEC passed a law that no child's toy can produce a dangerous spike even if broken. This means that screws have effectively been outlawed at all keystage's. All out pupils are minors and therefore any product we produce has to be by nature a toy. If that toy has screws or nails and by whatever circumstance the nail or screw can be exposed, even if that exposure includes being broken we are liable as teachers being in the position of Loco Parents. Many schools are currently ignoring these rules by omission or ignorance but neither will mitigate at what would be a criminal trial.

The project is also intended to help pupils look at making three dimensional objects out of sheet. The tenancy is to make boxes but with effort we can make all types of shapes.

Making Of Plywood Canada

Making Of Plywood India

British Standards Explained

Since early man making ride on toys out of wood has been a family tradition. In the late eighties and early nineties Richard E. Blizzard published a series of very popular books on making wooden toys. Unfortunately the recent alteration to health and safety rules has outlawed their use in schools. The principle problem being the use of screws and nails. Many schools still use nails or pointed fastening to hold work together. The ruling from Brussels is:- should it be possible to expose the nail or screw to air in any way even if that method should involve breaking the toy then it is not safe for children's use. This ruling may be harsh but it does follow a series of very serious accidents involving toddlers and toy projects.

This project has no metal content at all the axles are made of 22mm hardwood dowel as is the steering column and the exhaust pipe.The rest is 12mm plywood glued with exterior grade PVA.

Tractor