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Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Make’s electric tank is a custom, child-sized tracked ride-on vehicle designed and built by Brian Bunnell—not a commercial kit or a certified child vehicle. Its modular build combines conveyor-chain tracks, a single 24V motor, belt-tension controls, and a fabricated frame. The project is a useful design reference, but its instructions do not establish that a finished vehicle is safe for a child to ride.
What the Make: project builds
Brian Bunnell’s project, “Build Your Kid a Drivable Electric Tank”, was originally published January 19, 2016, and updated July 9, 2025. Bunnell describes the idea as a way for one motor to drive two tracks independently. Make: labels the project “Hard” and “>16 Hours”; these are the page’s own difficulty and time labels, not independent estimates. Its listed “$0-$50” price is likewise a page estimate, not a verified current materials total.
The design is organized into four main modules: tracks, frame and drive, body, and electronics. Bunnell recommends building the track assemblies first, then developing the drive assembly, frame, and body around them. The page documents one maker’s design and instructions, not a tested kit, comparison of drive systems, or validated performance specification.
How the tracks and drive work
Track assemblies
Each track is an independent subassembly built around an aluminum T-slot backbone. A continuous loop of 52 Intralox 880T-K325 bottle conveyor chain links runs along each side, for 104 links total. A UHMWPE guide rail, backed by a stainless-steel channel, supports the chain. The assembly also uses wooden riser blocks, bearing blocks, sprockets, and drive and idler shafts. The idler assembly slides to adjust chain tension.
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#1 Best Overall
- Realistic Kids Ride On Tank: Our kids tank has a rotatable turret for simulated firing, allowing kids to fully experience the fighting fun. They can take out the missiles from the missile box, place it in the bomb chute, rotate the turret with 40° to aim, and then press the firing button to enjoy the imaginary battles.
- Double Operation Modes: With the help of buttons and foot pedal, kids can control the tank toy to move forward or backward. They are allowed to press 2 diagonal buttons for left & right rotation. In addition, parent can also operate the tank with the remote control with 3 speeds. Tips: The remote control requires 2 AAA batteries, not included.
- Great Driving Performance: 12V 12AH rechargeable battery and strong motors ensure a speed of 1.2-3.1 mph and long-lasting playing time. Meanwhile, 2 wear-resistant rubber tracks help the tank to smoothly move on the wood floor, brick road, cement road, grass land or cobbled road. It also has 2 rear portable wheels for movement after use.
- Various Safety Protection: The slow start & slow stop functions avoid sudden acceleration or deceleration. The wide seat is designed with a safety belt to firmly fix your little soldier into the seat. Besides, the extra guardrails offer added safety protection.
- Offer Fun Driving Experience: The bright headlights, middle firing light, music, honk, wireless connection and early education make kid’s adventure more joyfully. Toddlers are allowed to freely adjust the volume. And the USB port enables kids to connect external devices to play more music.
The author’s frame measures 23 inches from the outside of one track to the outside of the other. Its two lengthwise 2×4 members are 12½ inches apart, outside to outside. These are dimensions of this particular build, not general recommendations for a child-carrying vehicle.
Motor, belts, and steering
A single 24V motor turns a live shaft through pulleys and a belt. Belts transfer power from that shaft to the two tracks. The control handles move tensioners: tightening a belt engages a track, while loosening it disengages the drive. To turn, the design drives the outside track while stopping the inside track.
Rank #2
- Authentic Tank Design: This ride-on tank features a working turret with 8 plastic missiles. The tank's tread-style design mimics a real tank, creating an authentic driving experience. Kids can fully enjoy simulated battles by rotating the turret, placing missiles in the bomb chute, aiming, and pressing the firing button for imaginative play.
- Outstanding Driving Performance: This motorized kids' car features 4 anti-slip, wear-resistant wheels designed for multiple terrains such as cement, brick, wood, asphalt, grass, and cobbled roads. With a 12V 12AH rechargeable battery and robust motors, the car can reach speeds of 1.2-3.1 mph and offers extended playing time. It also comes with 2 rear portable wheels for easy post-usage transportation.
- Manual & Parental Control: The kids' car offers two modes of operation. Children can use buttons and a foot pedal to move the car forward or backward and utilize diagonal buttons for left and right rotation. Parents can also operate the car using a 2.4GHz remote control with three speed options. This dual control feature enhances safety during kids' driving experiences. (Please note that the remote control requires 2 AAA batteries, which are not included.)
- Safe Driving Features: The kids' car incorporates various safety measures to protect young users. These include soft start and soft brake functions to ensure smooth acceleration and deceleration, preventing sudden jerks. The wide seat with a safety belt securely holds the child in place, while additional guardrails provide extra safety. Each motor is equipped with an independent overload protector to prevent damage and extend lifespan.
- Immersive Entertainment Features: The electric vehicle tank offers a range of fun and educational features to enhance children's experience. From bright headlights and middle firing light to music, honking sounds, and wireless connectivity, kids can enjoy an engaging adventure. In addition the tank includes USB/MP3 ports for additional entertainment and learning opportunities.
According to the project description, the motor runs at full speed when switched on; the design does not use motor speed control. Releasing the handles lets the drive belts lose tension and the vehicle coast. Pulling both handles back engages the brakes. These are the builder’s explanations of how the design operates, not independently measured findings about its speed, steering, or stopping performance.
Reference-build materials and electrical setup
The project’s listed components include:
- Intralox 880T-K325 bottle conveyor chain: 52 links per track.
- Aluminum T-slot extrusion for the track backbones, plus UHMWPE guide material and stainless-steel backing.
- Steel shafts, bearings, sprockets, pulleys, and V-belts.
- Wooden riser blocks and lumber for the frame.
- A 24V motor, a 24V-to-12V converter, a solenoid used as a high-current relay, switches, and a charging jack.
- Two 12V sealed-lead-acid mobility-scooter batteries wired in series to provide a 24V base voltage.
The article does not specify battery capacity, run time, charger model, or an independently validated electrical protection design. It identifies the battery type but not a model, dimensions, terminal layout, or exact fit. Any battery selection would need to match the builder’s actual electrical design; the project page alone is not enough to identify a compatible replacement.
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Rank #3
- Realistic Tank Appearance: This realistic ride on tank is equipped with a working turret that comes with 8 plastic missiles, allowing kids to rotate the turret to aim at targets and activate the firing button. Additionally, the toddler tank's tread-style appearance is a patented design, simulating a more authentic tank driving experience
- 360° Rotatable Driving: This army tank toy features a 360°rotating turret and body design, allowing children to experience the fun of real tank operation in the game. Toddler can easily control the rotation of the turret and the body, simulating accurate aiming and firing of shells on the battlefield, improving their operational skills and reflexes
- Multiple Built-in Fun: This electric vehicle tank comes with bluetooth, music and early education functions, as well as USB/MP3 interface, providing children with a variety of entertainment and learning options
- Manual & Parental Control: The car for kids can be controlled manually. For parents, they can control the car by 2.4GHz remote control. The 2 driving modes are designed to enhance safety during kids' driving (Note that requiring 2 AAA batteries for the remote are not included in the package.)
- Safe Driving Function: Soft start and soft brake functions can make the ride on car start and stop smoothly to ensure the satety of toddler. And each motor is equipped with an independent overload protector to prevent motor damage and extend service life
What the project does—and does not—establish about safety
The build article is not a safety test report. It does not state a rider age, maximum rider weight, top speed, payload, braking distance, range, battery capacity, or tested operating conditions. It describes hardware cloth over the front drivetrain area and a dash intended to keep the driver from reaching belts and drive components, but does not establish that these guards meet a safety standard.
The author also recounts a short circuit after battery electrodes contacted the live shaft. That incident is a concrete warning about the electrical arrangement; it does not demonstrate that the design’s electrical safeguards prevent such a fault. A child-carrying vehicle also raises questions about structural strength, stability, braking, access to moving parts, and battery charging that the project page does not resolve.
Rank #4
- 🧯【Multiple Interesting Functions】 This ride on fire truck comes with water tank, firefighter water sprayer, loudspeaker, fire extinguishing bottle, sturdy shovel and triangle bracket. Ride on fire car's flashing lamp, siren and engine sounds make this electric car like a real fire truck.
- 🧯 【12V High Performance】 This battery power ride on fire car equipped with 2*45w motors to provide strong power, that provide a smooth and comfortable driving experience on different ground, such as brick ground, asphalt ground, grass ground etc. Ride on fire car with 12V7AH rechargeable battery, kids can enjoy up to 1.5-2 hours of safe and exciting riding.
- 🧯【Parent Remote Control】 2 seater ride on car has 2 driving modes. One is the manual mode, children can drive the electric fire truck by controlling the steering wheel and the foot pedal(2 speed shifting). Second is the parent control mode, parent can operate the electric fire car with remote control to play with their little one (3 speed shifting).
- 🧯【Safe and Comfortable】 The seat width of this fire truck car measures 16 inches providing the perfect spacious and comfortable driving space for our kids. The electric fire truck sturdy seat belts, soft start, 4 spring suspension system and remote emergency brake button provide protection for our kids.
- 🧯【Perfect Gift for Kids】 Our kid ride on fire car equipped with multifunctional operate panel, include music, story, Bluetooth, battery display, horn, one- button start,LED headlight, fast /slow switch, forward, backward, loudspeaker, left - horn/fire warning voice. Child can have fun with these entertainment functions. This ride on fire car for kids is the wonderful to boys or girls on birthday, Christmas, Thanksgiving day etc.
Regulatory considerations for a child-carrying build
In the United States, the Consumer Product Safety Commission says ASTM F963-23 became effective April 20, 2024. Under applicable children’s product rules, toys designed or intended primarily for children 12 or younger require third-party testing and certification. CPSC guidance also identifies stability and overload requirements for ride-on toys and notes that some ride-on products may instead meet the statutory definition of an ATV and be subject to different requirements. Classification depends on the particular product’s design and intended use; it cannot be determined from the project title alone.
Those rules do not make the Make: instructions evidence that a homemade vehicle has been tested, certified, or classified for a particular use. Anyone considering a child-carrying version would need to assess the design and applicable requirements rather than infer compliance from the fact that the project is presented as a ride-on vehicle. See the CPSC Toy Safety FAQ and CPSC Toy Safety Business Guidance.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 4 X 200W Power Motors: Compared to the top speed of 4.5 mph and fake suspension for other UTV on the market, the ANPABO electric car features 4 x 200W powerful engines, real enhanced suspension, wear-resistant tires, max speed 5 mph, make it up steep hills and traverse various terrains including grass, gravel easily, offering the most power and fun for adventurous kids
- 2 Seater & Spacious Legroom: Real 21" dual seats features a separate driver and passenger seats. These seats are suitable for kids, with two adjustable seatbelts and can hold up to 140 pounds. This kids car offers with generous spacing between seats for maximum comfort than comparable vehicles, allowing kids fully enjoy a comfortable ride
- Top Safety for Big Kids: Unlike flimsy plastic-frame children's riding toys, this 24 volt ride on features a metal frame that is far more robust and long-lasting. Its high chassis design allows it can go over curbs and steep driveways with ease. The parents remote controlled speed for 3-speed settings and includes an emergency stop capability, best for younger children safety
- Color Cycling Accent Lights: We exclusively designed rainbow lights mounted on the hood. Just turn on the light switch, and the vibrant colors will grab kids’ attention and spark their curiosity. As night falls, the bright headlights and adorable light bar on the back make it look even cooler. Can’t miss this at night!
- Enjoy Music & Best Gift: Besides the built-in music player, this car lets parents to pair with Bluetooth-enabled to play their children's favorite songs and stories. Watch your little one have a blast on every ride with their favorite tunes in the background. lt's the ideal birthday or Christmas gift to bring joy and entertainment to your child's ride
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