Like millions of other kids world wide that grew up playing in some of the nastiest dirt on earth {When kids played in sandbox}. We are all fine BTW. Survived the on slot of deadly pathogens because we didn't have electronic distractions that kept us in doors. Ah, those were the days.

Take a look at this Hough 120 Loader. What does it remind you of ? Tonka right ?



[URL=http://s315.photobucket.com/user/dragonriversteel/media/Real%20Heavy%20Equipment%202/Hough-120-Model-D-120C-2_zpsgclztro1.jpg.html]

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“A tiger doesn't lose sleep over the opinion of sheep.” ― Shahir Zag

" An educated mind learns from his mistakes and corrects them. A dolt, on the other hand, lashes out and continues showing his ignorance."
-Unknown

“Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.”― Arthur C. Clarke

"Anti-social behavior is a trait of intelligence in a world full of conformists" - Nikola Tesla

" If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur ". Paul Neal "Red" Adair {Wild Well Firefighter for those who live under rocks}

Still got one of them in the sand pit for the grand critters....repainted it and straightened it out a bit a few years back, plus a dump truck. Guess where the two of them head for when they get here and it ain't the TV set.

Ahhh, those were the days, not only did I have most of the Mighty Tonka trucks I made a bunch of the regular size trucks plus a few Ertl ones (the Payhauler was a good one). I dug up almost as much dirt as a kid as I have as an adult and I'm 100% ok and I even remember swallowing some of the dirt too!!!

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Dain

I'm a kid at heart, so I will play with any model construction vehicle from 1:87 scale to 1:1 scale!!!!

Age is a state of time NOT a state of mind!!

Great thread. I must say that I had several Tonkas and loved them. But I was an anal retentive kid(still am). I did not like to get them, scratched or even dirty. So I played inside on the carpet. When my buddies came over, if they played too rough with them, I kicked their arses. I had those trucks for decades. My son didn't care about them, because Atari had come out with all their electronic games, then "Mario Brothers". So my grandsons took a liking to them. They were not rough with them. I ended up giving them to the Salvation Army. I hope some kid is enjoying them right now. Also, remember when the old old gas stations offered big trucks when you bought gas? I made my Father buy gas even when his tank was almost full. Finally we would get enough coupons and bingo I had a new tanker truck. Life was simpler, and more fun back then. You used your imagination more. I hate all these ridiculous games on cell phones. CAW

Hello HD41,
B-t-w, that 120 looks pretty darn clean.....even the tires looks like they still have lots of life left!!
I noticed a long time ago the similarities between the Tonka truck, grader and loader and the real machines but always wondered what was the dozer based on.
Quinella, i gotta say that if you always played on the carpet with your Tonkas, whoever got them at the S.A. got a real treasure, because when those are still in like new condition, they are worth some money!
And in case you guys did'nt noticed, back in the years-until some 30 years ago, you could recognize a real machine in almost every construction toy-even when theire were no markings on the toy.
Modern construction toys are plain ugly!!!
Great topic.
Max.

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Cat 245.....Now and Forever

I am looking for industrial auction brochures from Ritchie Bros, Miller & Miller, Forke Bros, First Team Auction, Max Rouse, etc from the 70's, 80's and 90's.I am a collector and heavy equipment enthusiast and these pamphlets are loaded with nice pictures of cleaned and freshly painted equipment.Thet don't have much value once the sale is over but they are a great help to me in preserving the memory of machines that are no longer being built.Please, help my hobby by looking in your old storage boxes and file folders for these old auction sale brochures.Your help is much appreciated.