A magnificent machine. Doepke’s second-generation bucket loader was again authentically modeled after the real thing in great detail.
It was built to 1:16 scale, introduced in 1953, and probably continued through 1956.
There is only one version of this toy. The only changes were in tire manufacture and tread design. Its Achilles heel was the feed-out belt, which often broke, as on the example shown here.
One view of the second-generation Barber-Greene Bucket Loader.
The lever, which almost looks like a driver’s seat, controlled the position of the bucket tower and conveyor belt platform.
At left is the transport position. At right is the loading position.
The shorter chain kept things operating smoothly and efficiently.
The auger system was basically the same as the earlier model bucket loaders, but used a larger diameter shaft.
The diamond tread step-plate was found only on the left side of the toy and never on the right.
This example features Fires tone lug tires, but they have also been found with turf and Good Year tires.
Doepke boxes often be ar the markings of more than one s tore.
By this time Fairfield no longer used an easy-to-understand date code on their boxes.
The meaning of “WEMDCEANHE” is unknown.