Treadbolt

This article is about the Energon-series Autobot. For the Generation 1 Autobot, see Tread Bolt.

Treadbolt is an Autobot from the Energon portion of the Unicron Trilogy continuity family.

Don't tread on me.

Treadbolt is big. And she has treads. And bolts.

Treadbolt is strong and well-armored, but beneath the mechanical muscle, there's a keen mind and a brave spark at work. However, she moves slowly, and doesn't pack much firepower, which may be why her fellow Autobots don't respect her as much as perhaps they should. Still, any Decepticon that makes the mistake of letting Treadbolt get close likely won't make it twice.

Toys

Energon

• Treadbolt (Mega, 2004)
  • Accessories: Missile

STOMP STOMP STOMP STOMP

A redeco of Armada Scavenger, Treadbolt transforms into a large yellow bulldozer equipped with a rear roller drum. Unusual for Transformers toys of this era, Treadbolt features functional rubber caterpillar treads. Her packed-in partner Rollbar (in robot mode) can be placed inside the driver's cabin, and pressing down on the Mini-Con activates engine start up and revving sounds. Pushing Treadbolt forward will cause the large dark brown drum wheel at the back to rotate, making driving sounds, as well as causing the front shovel to raise and lower.

In robot mode, Treadbolt has virtually no leg articulation whatsoever. Her legs are halves of the shovel blade clipped onto the dark brown drum wheel. Pushing her forwards in robot mode rotates the wheel, moving the legs up and down in a simulation of walking. Each 'step' is accompanying by a stomp sound effect. Moving her arms up and down activates a crashing metal sound effect. Powerlinxing Rollbar to the active Powerlinx port on her right hip, then pulling it back fires a gray spring-loaded projectile, as well as activating a laser firing sound.

• More information on Treadbolt at TFU.info

Notes

• Treadbolt, along with Energon Rapid Run and Ultra Magnus, were "eleventh-hour" additions to the Energon line, with an incredibly accelerated production cycle. As such, each toy's packaging toy-photos show them in their original-release colors—in this case, Scavenger—due to there apparently being little to no time to get a photo shoot established, and just using already-finished stock photographs.
• Reportedly, only about 10,000 of each of these three toys were made, a significantly smaller number than most retail Transformers toys. However, she ended up being a shelfwarmer within the UK.
• As Treadbolt's card artwork is flipped from Scavenger's, her chest detailing is reversed, and her missile tube is on the wrong side of her body.