- Doepke Construction Toys
| tnttoytrucks.com |
#2006 Grader
Doepke #2006 Adams Road Grader
- The Adams Road Grader is probably the most common
of the Doepke construction toys. They were one of two
Doepke toys built to 1:12 scale (as was the Bulldozer).
They were introduced in 1948 and were likely continued
through 1956. This toy also went through numerous
minor manufacturing changes, but I believe there were 4
significant versions. Paint color was a major factor in
these versions.
The photos below will also highlight other differences.
| Version #1 - 1948 |
Although all Doepke Road Graders looked great, the first version, which came in what was advertised
as "brilliant orange" paint, is a strong favorite among collectors.
as "brilliant orange" paint, is a strong favorite among collectors.
| For reasons unknown, only the 1948 graders had the "No.512" included as part of the seat decal. |
| Doepke was proud to include the "authorized by" decal to emphasize their product's authentic representation. |
| Only the first version graders used the unpainted round-headed rivet to hold the blade circle. |
| Early graders had 5 different positions for the blade angle, later versions had only 3. |
| Very early graders used a 5-pointed lock washer, instead of the 9-pointed version shown here, to mount the rear wheel assembly. |
| The engine housing did not have an exhaust stack (as did the real thing). |
| The location of the box content labels was not always consistent. |
| This first year Adams Grader box is dated 1948. |
| Version #2 - 1949 - 50 |
Second version toys were painted yellow. They retained most of the first version features with a few
exceptions as noted below. The precise dating of these changes is not possible.
exceptions as noted below. The precise dating of these changes is not possible.
| The second version toys omitted the blade circle rivet. |
| The inner blade circle was now held in place by simple crimp-over tabs. |
| The only difference here is the absence of the "No.512" decal. |
| The second version toys used the one piece tie rod as did the first version. |
| Here the content label is on the end of the box. |
| This second version box, by Fairfield, is dated 1950. |
1948
1949-50
1951-52
1953-56