A Transcript from ToyTractorShow.com's  Toy Talk's Live Chat on Tuesday April 24, 2001  8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. CT Question and Answer Night with Bill Walters the Product Manager from Racing Champions/ERTL.  

43 People logged  into the chat. The Q&A session ran from 7:50 pm ET to 9: 20 p.m. ET. Thank you to everyone for making it such a success. Another ERTL  Q&A chat night will be announced soon. Many Thanks to Bill Walters for finding the time to chat with the collectors on TTS.

J.Hasert Bill Welcome to ToyTractorShow's Toy Talk

Bill Walters:: Thanks Jason, glad to be here.

Bill Walters: Hello everyone, glad I could attend.

J.Hasert: If you don't mind Bill we will start a few minutes early

Bill Walters: I'm ready....

J.Hasert: Very glad you could spend some time with us

J.Hasert: Well I will start things out with a question from the main board 

J.Hasert: Will Ertl offer more cotton equipment or look at beet implements

Bill Walters: We are looking, but it is a matter of how many we can sell.

Bill Walters: We are a business, and have to make a profit. If we feel there is enough

Bill Walters: market potential, we will proceed. Right now our cotton pickers are not: doing that well.

J.Hasert: Makes sense.

Custom Kid: what about more forage equipment

Custom Kid: like baggers and dump wagons

Bill Walters: We are weak in forage equipment, we'll try to fix that in the next few years. 

Bill Walters: Yes, unfortunately I can't announce any product yet... This gets asked: quite often.

Brian helgeson: Ok is ertl planning on making any beet equipment like lifters, etc?

Bill Walters: I guess I should ask if you're talking in 1/64th or 1/16th scale?

Brian helgeson: 1/64th

  Bill Walters: We have no plans for beet equipment. No OEM has asked us to. 

Daniel Monahan: I would like to see some more hay harvesting equipment

Bill Walters: Daniel, any specific scale or product?

Daniel Monahan: Like 1 ton balers and self propelled hay retrievers

Daniel Monahan: 1/64 preferably

Daniel Monahan: new swathers

Bill Walters: I don't see us doing a SP hay retriever. That's a pretty small market.

Bill Walters: hay equipment. It is not a big request from any OEM.

Custom Kid: WHAT about a Claas chopper 

Bill Walters: Britains, the Company we own in the UK does a Class chopper.

Derek: jay put me also on the list for a question

Custom Kid: in 1/64? 

Bill Walters: Sorry, Claas Chopper, in 1/32 scale.

Cody From Rochester NY: please add me to the question list 

John Esche: Why no Minneapolis Moline Precision Classics?

Bill Walters: Good question. I've been getting more requests for a MM Precision.

Bill Walters: Any suggestions as to a model that we can get 2-3 versions from would be

John Esche: I would think a U or G would be good sellers.

Bill Walters: helpful. Again, it all comes down to selling enough units to pay the tooling.

John Esche: Possibly a g-1000

John Esche: Thank you Bill, I have some more if we're allowed to ask more later.

Bill Walters: It will cost us over $140,000 to tool a Precision, so we have to factor that: cost into the unit by how many we can sell to see if it makes sense.

Bill Walters: I do have a MM Precision penciled in our 2003 line. We'll see what happens.

joe in ct: Any chances of bring smaller Hp to 1/64 line, as in JD 5400, JD 2755 etc…

joe in ct: IH 56 series

bigacres: smaller 66 seris cant forget that like the 666, 766.

Bill Walters: Actually we're doing the IH 706/806/1206 tractors in 1/64th, and the JD B,G,H .

Bill Walters: Also the JD 4010/4020/4320/4620 tractors as well.

John Volmer: Are you doing a 706 in 1/64 how about Farmall instead of IH

Bill Walters: We keep doing some 1/64 vintage tractors every year. We'll get to yours

joe in ct: 450?? 350??

bigacres: Yes Farmall looks better

Bill Walters: I'm using IH generically.. Yes, we're doing the Farmall 706

Bill Walters: The 450/350 are in the plan a few years out. We can't do everything in one year .

joe in ct: As long as its out there that is good

John Volmer: True, as long as its there

Bill Walters: Just FYI... We're doing a WF Precision 706 as well.

Derek: Will there ever be a blister pack of older 4wds

John Volmer: That would be nice

Bill Walters: You mean old 4wds we've already produced, or newly tooled old 4wds?

Derek: Like the 8630 7520 Allis Chalmers 4w 305 Ih 4586

Bill Walters: Not yet. But we do get many requests for vintage 4wds in 1/64th scale.

J.Hasert: Let me ask along re-release lines, is there any chance on 1970's ERTL  2wd and 4wd 1/64ths  

Daniel Monahan: Good Jay

Bill Walters: Jason, you're talking about bringing back old Ertl tooling?

J.Hasert: Right, like the National MF 1155, out  last year

Daniel Monahan: With clear windows 

Bill Walters: We essentially end up re-tooling certain pieces, etc.. to get a nice tractor.  The old model dies had over 450,000 pieces stamped from them. They are worn out.

Bill Walters: We are seeing what we have that is still good...

J.Hasert: Interesting to know.

Nathaniel: Are you going to make more dairy products such as freestalls or a parlor

Bill Walters: If you're talking about our 1/64th Farm Country sets, we are looking at tooling

Bill Walters: some new sets, etc.. I was just put in charge of the Farm Country line, so I am looking at different options.

Bill Walters: Still reviewing what we have and what we need. 

nathaniel: Are you going to make more 1/64 animals.

Bill Walters Yes, we do, but for right now you can only get  them in with our Farm Country sets. For 2002 we'll change that.

:Bill Walters: Any specific breeds, or colors you're looking for?

Daniel Monahan: more variety of caves colors

Custom Kid: Yeah we need more

J.Hasert: I am sure that will be welcome for displays

bigacres: Angus, Charlais

joe in ct: Holsteins laying down

jp: Some more of the main beef breeds on the scene now, other than Hereford and black.

Custom Kid: Jeresy, holstein pie-face black ones.

Ryan Brunink: Red and White Holsteins

nathaniel: Brown swiss

Daniel Monahan: A set of bulls in various breeds

nathaniel: Dairy steers

jp: Yes, having a few bulls would be nice, tough to breed cows with steers!!

Bill Walters: Good suggestions...

Brandon Casebier: are you going to do any other livestock such as Beefmaster cattle, Red Angus and

Bill Walters: Brandon. I am not familiar with Beefmaster. I'll look at the Angus.

Bill Walters: How would you like them sold. Bulk packs of 50? 25? 100?

John Volmer: 50

nathaniel: That would be great 50

Daniel Monahan: Yes 50

Custom Kid: 50 and 100

joe in ct: I’d say 50

jp: Any size, as long as reasonably priced

Cody From Rochester NY: What are the chances at some new 1/64 combines? IE. JD 8820, CIH 2388 12 row ,: NH TR99

Bill Walters: Cody, we are doing a 2388 this year. We will probably not do the TR99 as NH has a new unit in the works. See www.prairielinks.com for pictures.

 Cody From Rochester NY: A 2388 with duals, and 12 row?

Mark Bright: 1/64 scale 2388?

Bill Walters: Yes, duals and 12 row.....

Bill Walters: Also, we're coming up on the 25th Anniversary of the Axial Flow. Keep watching.....

Cody From Rochester NY: Sounds great, thanks.

bigacres: Can you think about making Dodge duallys and Chevy regular cab w/o duals and : fords with the new style with out duals and no extended cabs

JoshSchaefer: Dodge Duallys would be great

Bill Walters: No matter what we do, people always want something else... Ha

Bill Walters: We could end up tooling 15 different trucks to get all the variations.

Daniel Monahan: some more Racing Champions but in 1/64

Bill Walters: Unfortunately we only have so many tooling $$ and time.

RobK: Any plans in the future for precision IH 56 or 66 or AC D-21 tractors?

Daniel Monahan: is there any possibility for pricision 1/64s that are like the 1/87

Bill Walters: Keep watching for the IH and AC Precisions, they are on the plans for the future

Bill Walters: What did you feel about the 1/64 Case IH STX 440 with the 3-point and cab glass?

Daniel Monahan: Very nice

John Volmer: That would cool for 1/64 precision

Bill Walters: Do you consider that Precision? What other features did you want? 

Bill Walters: We feel we can't do the Precision name justice in 1/64th scale... Too small.

John Volmer: The STX 440 is one of the best 1/64 non custom tractors I have seen

STEVEN CARLTON: thumbs up!

J.Hasert: The STX's were the best 1/64 to date in the collectors

John Volmer: I have two

minutes ago]

Daniel Monahan: agreeable but check out jays website for examples of 1/64 precessions

Daniel Monahan: That was a good start as well as the 9750sts

J.Hasert: The STX's were the best 1/64 to date in the collectors

John Volmer: I have two

Anyboard [Apr 24,2001,20:42]: bigacres entered the chat room, welcome! [0.45 minutes ago]

Daniel Monahan: agreeable but check out Jay’s website’s work bench for examples of 1/64 precisions 

RobK: How about JD5020, 6030 or 7520 precision?

Bill Walters: Rob, The JD 5020, 6030 and 7520 would be great Precisions. Again, we only

Bill Walters: We can do so many Precisions a year due to tooling, engineers, etc.. Keep : watching.

Bill Walters: For the 6030 would you want the small or large engine option?

RobK  Large

 RobK: Thanks for the info!

John Volmer: Why do loaders look oversized on 1/64 tractors?

Bill Walters: Loaders on 1/64th are oversized to make them meet child safety standards.

Bill Walters: Zinc is a soft metal, if you make the pieces too small they will break. You have problems with punctures, choking, etc.

Daniel Monahan: That is understandable.

Daniel Monahan: Would there be a way to retool the 1/87 dyes for 1/64

Bill Walters: There is no way to re-tool 1/87 into 1/64th.

 Derek: Will there be a lime green Steiger of the new style for its anniversary.

Bill Walters: I haven't heard of any new green Steiger and I talk to Fargo frequently.

Farmingficks: Do you realize how many people young and old who collect 1/64th equip.?: The reason I ask is that it seems to me that you are slowly getting out of 1/64t

Bill Walters: We are not getting out of 1/64th. We do roughly 35 new tooling projects a year. 

Bill Walters: This is a mixture of Precision, 1/16, 1/32 and 1/64th. We have to factor new

Bill Walters: products being introduced by the OEM. They ask for certain replicas to be : produced, then we look for holes in our product offerings, etc..

Bill Walters: Sometimes 1/64th does take a back seat, but you will see that fluctuate through : the years. We are not getting out of 1/64th.

combine king: Do you go to the OEMS or do they come to you with the products they want made?

Bill Walters: Combine King.. Some of both. Obviously the OEMs talk to us about their new products coming out. We work with them closely. We decide on the vintage.

Mark Bright: Any large implements for large 4wds coming?

Bill Walters: Mark, yes we do have a large 1/64th implement planned.

Mark Bright: Planter or what?

Cody From Rochester NY: Is it true that you are making a 24 row JD planter in 1/64 for Jd's new planters  that are coming out this fall?

Bill Walters: Sorry, can't spill the beans yet.

Ryan Brunink: Are you planning on reintroducing IH 1/64th 86 series with variations

Bill Walters: Ryan, No, we have no plans to do that.. Not the 66 series either.

jp: Along the same lines, any plans to reintroduce old implements in the larger 1/64: size, such as gravity wagons, fertilizer spreaders, balers, etc. : They all seem very small behind the new tractors

Bill Walters: I know, the new tractors are getting so large, all the implements seem small.

Bill Walters: We're working with the OEMs to see what can be done. Please be patient.

Brandon Casebier: Do you have any plan to do 1/64 tractors with loaders and fwa? ?

Bill Walters: Yes, we have the 6410 w/MFWD & Ldr and the MX135 w/MFD & Loader.

Custom Kid: maybe some manure handling equipment and a large SlurryStore with: tankers and pumps.

Bill Walters: We don't get many requests for manure handling equipment... How did you like  the V-tank spreader we did a few years ago? It seemed to die after a year...

bigacres: I have one

Daniel Monahan: Nice addition

J.Hasert: I liked the NH and JD V-spreader. I have both

Custom Kid: I meant like badger or waste handler.

Bill Walters: Custom, we would have to be able to do 20,000-30,000 pieces. It's hard to justify the tooling if the OEM can't sell quite a few through their dealers.

Bill Walters: We pay all the tooling, so we have to make sure we can be profitable.

OHFFAMAN: Will Ertl be producing any new Semi's such as Kenworth/Pete? Or some new hopper .

Bill Walters: Actually, the semis are handled by another Dept. I know they are working on  a new semi tractor, but I don't honestly know the model yet.

OHFFAMAN: That is good to hear, thanks Bill

OHFFAMAN: Bottom trailers? The old White/Volvo design is aging

Bill Walters: I'll pass on your comments..

joe in ct: Any precision implements to go with the 4440

Bill Walters: Good question Joe.. Actually Precision implements sell at about 75% of : what the tractors sell. We are looking at a Precision chisel plow. Thoughts?  

John Esche: I like the chisel plow.

joe in ct: Not for us New Englanders, don’t use them, more pto driven stuff 

Bill Walters: Obviously I'm in Iowa, so our farming is different from New England. I grew up on a small Iowa farm, but farming in each state is different.

 J.Hasert: Sure Bill anytime I know people would enjoy it

Daniel Monahan: thank you Bill for joining us

 Nathaniel will Ertl have a new 1/64 Self Propelled Chopper with interchangeable heads.

Bill Walters:   I assume you're talking 1/64th scale? We do have it in the plan,

Bill Walters: maybe in the next few years.

Bill Walters: I (we) realize we don't have all the answers. Ertl wants to make what the collectors want, not what we feel they want. I go to shows and talk to farmers to try to find out what people want. This is a great source of information for us.

Daniel Monahan: that is good to hear

J.Hasert: Bill on the sp chopper why no hay head on the 6910 or 1/32 6850

Bill Walters: Jason. I was not involved in either of those choppers. They should have had a  hay head. The 6850 was done for Europe with the Kemper head.

Daniel Monahan: Question anyway to make a few more regional things the west is a bit left out on toy designs that are in our region

Bill Walters: I agree Daniel, I just need to do more homework to see what will sell. 

Toby Eavers: Any plans for precision 1/32 impelments 

Bill Walters: Toby, yes we do have plans for Precision 1/32 implements. One is already 

Daniel Monahan: That sounds good

Toby Eavers: Any plans for precision 1/32 impelments 

Bill Walters: Toby, yes we do have plans for Precision 1/32 implements. One is already : planned for the 1/32 STX 440 we're doing for this year... Keep watching

Bill Walters: What does everybody think of the 1/32 Precisions? Should we continue? 

Cody From Rochester NY: continue, they are great detail, and take up less space then the 1/16's

combine king: yes on the 1/32 precisions

Toby Eavers: I say yes to 1/32

J.Hasert: The 9750 STS was a good model. Looking forward to the STX 440

joe in ct: Yes though must be more than grain equipment and large 4wds

Daniel Monahan: Not to interested in the 1/32s precessions

Allan in Ontario: What I would like to see is some big tillage implements for the big 4wd

jasons: yes on precision 2 series

joe in ct: yes though must be more than grain equipment and large 4wds

jasons: yes on precision 2 series

Allan in Ontario: Ok is there any big tillage implements in the works for the big 4wd tractors

Bill Walters: Allan, If you're talking 1/64th, yes. Also working on a 1/16th for next year.

Bill Walters: Allan, If you're talking 1/64th, yes. Also working on a 1/16th for next year. 

Derek: Are there going to be any peanut harvesters or peanut equipment for the south .: Allot of peolpe want them.

Bill Walters: Sorry Derek, no plans for peanut equipment planned. I haven't received any: requests for these units.

Hoot: will the 1/16 Precision New Idea picker have caster wheels under husking bed

Bill Walters: Hoot, I'll double check, but I don't believe the real unit we photographed, or the owner's manual showed any caster wheels. I'll double check tomorrow.

Ryan Brunink: Are you planning a precision of the 5488 for the last tractor made by IH 

Hoot: thanks for your help and for checking on it Bill, appreciate it

Ryan Brunink: Are you planning a precision of the 5488 for the last tractor made by IH  

Bill Walters: Ryan, nothing in the plan now. We haven't made it up to the 88 series yet. In Precisions. When we do, it will be looked at. I don't know if CNH would : want that publicized very much, but we'll take a look at it. I do know it was a 5488 with FWA.  

  Bill Walters: Since we mostly have 1/64th collectors here, I want to ask what their #1 request

Cody From Rochester NY: my 2 cents: Double folding field cultivators in 1/64

country-spice: Bigger Planters!! and Bigger Tillage, Corn Dryer

John Volmer: Produce old Steigers, and Big Buds in 1/64 again

OHFFAMAN: I would say wider tillage implements!

J.Hasert: My vote would be for 64th Steigers like the 32nd Toy Farmer models

Daniel Monahan: and I agree with Jays as well

Daniel Monahan: Hay equipment

J.Hasert: My vote would be for 64th Steigers like the 32nd Toy Farmer models

nathaniel: white 12 row veryicle fold planter

Derek: larger implements

Tyler White: Anything Allis Chalmers

Hoot: Vintage self propelled combines

Ryan Brunink: An IH 86Series in 1/64th like the 66 series

joe in ct: hay tedder, kemper heads, NH FX chopper

nathaniel: white 12 row vertical fold planter

Derek: larger implements

Tyler White: Anything Allis Chalmers

Hoot: vintage self propelled combines 

Mark Bright: IH 88 series w/dual wheeled 2+2's

jasons: The bigger the better everything.

Brandon Casebier: smaller hp tractors

Mark Bright: and w/fwa

josh: older tractors and combines

combine king: 1/64 request - Self propelled combines from the 70's 

John Esche: Re-tooled older models of tractors and equipment.

OHFFAMAN: IH 2+2 's like the Super 70 series

Mark Bright: anything but JOHN DEERE crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Allan in Ontario: any thing other then JD things

country-spice: Spacer/Rowcrop Duals

Cody From Rochester NY: Maybe some Deere 50 series walker combines (9550, 9650) or a 9650 STS

Brandon Casebier: good one Cody

Mark Bright: IH 88 series like 66 series but with every model 2+2 and 5488 w fwa& duals

Allan in Ontario: 6 row planters

ryan borcherding: larger 1/64 scale tillage and planting

joe in ct: i would have thought a cub cadet precision would be first

nathaniel: or earth movers to go behind the 9400 jd or 9390 case

John Volmer: A Farmall H in 1/64

country-spice: unloading auger on the 9750 that goes over the grain cart

Allan in Ontario: some 6 row corn heads for all brands of combines

Tyler White: Diecast Row-crop cultivators

Bill Walters: Now that I have all my new ideas for the next 5 years, I can go to s tractors trucks combines

Bill Walters: My second question revolves around Lawn and Garden. We're introducing

Bill Walters: Our new Precision JD 110 Lawn and Garden tractor this Fall. What does

combine king: lawn and garden - make the AC B110/112

John Esche: I'm undecided about the L&G stuff, but I would buy an original Cub Cadet Precision.

J.Hasert: For L&G Ariens or older Cub Cadet. The new Cadets are great

country-spice: I don't really car for lawn and garden, unless it is 1/64 then it might fi.t

John Volmer: A small utility tractor would be nice

Bill Walters: Now that I have all my new ideas for the next 5 years, I can go to sleep.

Bill Walters: Thanks for all your comments, I do appreciate them. 

Bill Walters: Jason, maybe we can setup another chat in a few weeks. please email me..

J.Hasert: Thank you for a great chat Bill.

Bill Walters: Maybe we can schedule another chat in a few weeks, if you're interested. 

J.Hasert: Sure Bill anytime I know people would enjoy it.

Bill Walters: I appreciate Jason taking the time to make this happen. Good bye.