TTS Farm Toy Report: February 2003 Issue #10

TTS-Times

Steiger in 64th

The Full Story on 64th Steiger

by Daniel Adamson 

Dan Adamson is an avid 1/64 collector and has one of the most complete collections of Ertl 1/64 farm toys in the Nation. You can read more about Dan at http://www.toytractorshow.com/dan_adamson.htm

    I hope everyone had nice holidays and received lots of good stuff from Santa.  I can’t wait to break my New Year’s resolution of spending less on toys and more on the house.  It would be a good idea though to try to wait at least a week before breaking your resolution. 

   With the start of the new year and soon to be introduced  The Toy Tractor Times we have decided to give the 1/64 tractor review a new format.  Last year I focused on general information on each model.  This year I will attempt to go into more detail with pictures and a better explanation of each variation.

    This month’s feature tractor is Steiger.  There have been two models created for the Steiger line.  The Ertl Cougars and the Scale Models Panther.  Next month I will continue with information on the Ford FW-60 variations in 1/64.

Ertl 1/64 Steiger Industrial and Cougar

   Ertl introduced the Cougars in the early ‘80’s with two different models.  As can be seen in the above picture the main two variations are the colors.  The green farm model and the yellow industrial model were both introduced with in a few years of each other.  The variations common to both models are the window color and the axles.  The tint of the windows comes in two shades.  The clearer windows can be seen through very easily while the dark window version is much darker and harder to see through. 

Windows: left side dark and right side clear

   The axles are not what we would commonly think of when we look at a current toy.  These are actually cast onto the body of the tractor instead of being a separate rivet or steel pin.  The wheels slide onto the post and the end gets rolled over.  The models come with what is called a spun axle and a penned axle variation.  In the picture, the spun axle is on the right with the penned axle being on the left. 

Penned axle on the left; Pun axle is on the right

   The green models and the yellow models each had their own style of decaling.  They were consistent with each color, however different between the two models.  

1.  The green model has a black sticker that covers only the hood. The yellow model has a black sticker that forms down over  the side of the hood with the name Steiger.

2.  The green model has a grill decal with Steiger printed at the bottom. The yellow model has a short grill decal with out the wording on it.

3.  The green model has a Steiger decal on the back of the cab.  The yellow model has a Steiger decal also, but this one wraps around the cab and has door handles on it.

The three variations;

Green models

1. Dark windows with spun axles.
2. Clear windows with penned axles.

Yellow model

1. Clear windows with penned axles.

Scale Models CP-1400: 1998 version left and 1984 1st Edition right

  In the mid - late ‘80’s Scale Models introduced the Steiger Panther to the collectors.  At the time this was the latest model in the Steiger line.  The first toys off the line were cast with a first edition on the side.  As shown in the picture this stamp is on the right side of the tractor, just below the cab.  It was later removed to make the second variation.  

Shelf Edition left side; 1st Edition Stamp right side

The third variation is a toy show model.  This is the 1989 KCKS Heart of America show.  This is easily recognizable by the red heart attached to the top of the cab.  All three of these models have black cabs and the top of the hood is painted black.

1989 KCKS Heart of America 

   This toy was re-released in the late ‘90’s with only a slight change.  It is the same casting without the first edition.  The variants of this model are a green cab and the black paint on the hood of the old model is now a black sticker on the new model.

The four variations;

1. First edition with black cab.
2. No first edition with black cab.
3. KCKS Heart of America
4. No first edition with green cab.

   The toys discussed in the reviews are from my own collection.  Other variations might exist.  I would be very appreciative to hear from you if you have or know of a different variation.  You can e-mail me at MISTER164@hotmail.com.

Steiger in 1/16

The CP-1400 Turns Twenty

by Jim Simpson 

    Steiger  set the new bench market in 4wd power and operator comfort in 1983 with the Panther CP-1400.  There was no other tractor like the PANTHER 1000 series. New for 1983 the 1000 series was one of the most advanced 4wds to date. The 400 hp CP-1400 PANTHER with 12-speed full powershift transmission, on-board computer, and new Safari Cab with improved visibility was what farmers were looking for in 4wd power market.  For those of you wondering just what CP-1400 stands for, it is a code. C=Caterpillar for the engine, P=Powershift for the transmission, 1 for 1000 series and 400 for the horse power rating.  

   Steiger built its name up in the 4wd market by building tractors  with big horse power that could work hard.  If repairs were necessary Steigers were easy to work on because most of their components such as their engines and transmissions were common on most big tractor trailer trucks.  From 1958 to 1982 Steigers were raw iron machines with a big boxy look that had proven they could perform in big tillage and other hard going applications.  In 1983 Steiger combined its heritage of big power and basic components while refining the line with new sleek sheet metal, an advanced cab that set the industry standard for 17 years and many modern convinces not found on the earlier generations of Steigers.  Steigers literature introducing the Panther 1000 states" Find out just how productive you can be with a 4wd line rated up to 400 hp.  Cat or Cummins diesel in front, a 12 speed full power shift in the middle, adjustable drawbar and 3 standard remote hydraulic couplers.  With Panther's adjustable air seat, excellent cab visibility and an electronic dash display, you'll be in total command of a tractor that can accomplish a lot of work in a day.  At the end of the day, light up your fields with six halogen sealed beams in front and six in the back, so you can work as late as you want too. The Panther 1000 gets things done in a hurry". 

   In 1983 there was no other tractor like the Panther 1000. It was the most advanced 4wd of its time. The Panther 1000 cab offered 51 square feet glass to give farmers a sweeping view of the land.  Combined with 400 hp of power nothing on the market was close to the CP-1400 at the top of the Panther 1000 line. John Deere's 8850, Allis-Chalmers 8550, White's 4-270 and Massey-Ferguson's 4880 were all at least 100 hp behind the CP-1400 and were still big and boxy with cabs that were much more restrictive. It would not be until the 1990's that all of the major 4wd manufacturers would offer room with a view.  

  1983 also marked a big change in the Steiger toy offerings. Scale Models was chosen to offer the first 1/16 scale offering of the famous line.  Prior to the 1000 series Valley Patterns of Fargo North Dakota had produced 1/12 scale series II and III Steigers. The Ertl company had produced 1/32 series III Steigers.  The first CP-1400 toy from Scale Models was offered as a collectors model with 1-1000 JLE medallion looped on the hitch and a shelf model followed with out the marking. These tractors were sand cast, offered good detailing for the day and black plastic windows.  The tires are also made from a hard plastic. The Scale Models CP-1400 is a hefty tractor and are a must to complete any 4wd collection. In 1995 when the Steiger name was returned by CaseIH after a 6 year absence Scale Models offered a 1/16 CP-1400 again.  This time the collectors edition offered triple tires and an imprint on the roof saying "Heritage, Fargo ND, 1995". The big change for the collectors model and shelf model were rubber tires and an open cab with a seat and steering wheel. Below the 1980's CP-1400 and the 1995 CE CP-1400 are pictured for comparison.  Next month I will write about the advancements of the Allis-Chalmers 8000 series tractors and toys.

Left: 1983 Scale Models CP-1400 Right: 1995 Scale Models CP1400

Steiger Advertising in 1986

by

Tom Fick 

      One of the new features you will find in the new ToyTractorTimes.com this spring will be tractor brochure and ad history.   Here is a small sample to help highlight this months Steiger theme.

  Another interesting announcement in 1986 was the merger of Steiger and J.I. Case. This ad appeared in Successful farming and featured a Puma 1000 and new Case International 9110. The ad states that Steiger customers will be able to continue to purchase their favorite lime green tractors and that CaseIH customers have a new line of red articulated 4wds to look forward to in the 9100 series. As with many mid-80's merger announcement ads and brochures the statement did not hold quite true. Steiger tractors were offered through 1989 and the last main line green model was also produced that year. There is a green 9280 in South Dakota that Jay Hasert and Jim Schroer  are working on locating for photographs. What really happened as far as brochures following this ad?  There  were CaseIH 9100 brochures and air brushed 1000 series lit where the tractors were painted red, showed the 9100 series markings on the cab door rather than the hood decal as on the CaseIH versions and the Steiger name plate on the grille rather than the CaseIH logo. The ad will brig $5 today and the Steiger 9100 literature even though only a folder brochure is rare enough to bring $20. There was a Steiger 9110, 9130, 9150, 9170 and 9180 brochure. The 9180 is pictured below along with the merger ad.

Answer #1: We will talk to the OEMs and see what they say. Right now this is not high on our priority list.

Question #2:  1/64 Collectors were excited to learn about the new John Deere 1/64 Sound Guard set including the 4430, 4440 and 4450. Will these tractors be made from new tooling?   

Answer #2:  Yes, this is new tooling.

Question #3:  Hay equipment remains a hot topic among 1/64 collectors. What is Ertl's out look towards hay and forage equipment such as swathers, forage harvesters and big balers? 

Answer #3:  Be patient, hopefully you will be rewarded with some new product in 2003.

Question #4:   In 2001 Ertl started the Lawn and Garden Precision Line with a John Deere 110 mower. Is this a Precision line that will expand in the years to come?

Answer #4:  Yes, but there is nothing we can report yet.  Look for more info later this year.

Question #5:  Will the PRESTIGE line of tractors be dedicated to vintage tractors like the PRECISION CLASSICS, or can we expect to see MODERN equipment under the PRESTIGE brand?  Also, what is the overall purpose of the PRESTIGE line?  

Answer #5: No, Prestige for now will stay vintage. We will plan for additional units in 2004.  The Prestige line was started to offer detailed units to collectors, but not to the level of a Precision where every wire and part is replicated.  Precision units are very expensive to tool and produce.  Prestige is our next lower level, where you still have good detail, but not the same as a Precision.  For Prestige, we use more plastic as well to keep the cost down.

Question #6: Is there any chance that we could see an IH 1256, IH tri-strip or Red Power 86 series, Case Golden Demo or Case Black Knight pedal tractor within the years to come.

Answer #6: Scale Models has produced so many vintage IH and Case pedal tractors that I would be hesitant to produce one.  The pedal tractor market is only so big and we think there are too many already.

Question #7: Many collectors have wondered why the new 1/64 John Deere 7520 has 4 fenders instead of two in the rear. Was this a rare option on the 4wd? Also will we see future classic 2 piece tractor and equipment sets? 

Answer #7: We photographed 2 separate real tractors which had the fenders.  We felt it was a nice option.  I have not checked with John Deere to see if this is a rare option.  Hopefully we can release other tractor and equipment sets in the future.

Question #8: The IH 2+2 remains a popular tractor with collectors. In one of our early TTS Live Chats you mentioned this tractor was not really on Ertl's radar screen. Collectors on Toy Talk continue to have 2+2's on the top of their wish lists monthly above any other tractor or make. Is their any chance this classic IH might make a blip on the radar screen for Precision, 1/16 or 1/64?  

Answer #8: We will review this again and see what can be done.  We are probably looking at 2004 before we can release anything.

Question #9:  With the Ertl line of older 1960's through the 1980's 1/16 toy tractors expanding each year is their a chance we might see classic implements to go with them? 

Answer #9: We will review as well and see what we can do.

Question #10: What lines or series of toys does Ertl get the most requests for new models in? 

Order directly by calling the Toy Farmer office toll-free at 1-800-533-8293. 

Timo Kittel has been busy constructing a 1/32 Steiger ST-650.  This was an impressive 650hp tractor built by Steiger in 1977 to compete with the Versatile Big Roy.  To learn more about the ST-650 click here. To read the full story on Timo's 1/32 ST-650 from start to finish click here. 

If you are a Steiger fan or would like to learn more about Steigers make sure to visit www.toytractorshow.com/steiger.htm .  Toy Tractor Show.com has an expansive gallery of Steiger toy information, pictures and history.  You can learn about Steigers from the #1, to the big triple engine, to the ultra modern STX line.  Steiger also built 4wds for Allis-Chalmers, Ford and International Harvester which you can learn about on the TTS Steiger History section.

On a recent visit to my neighbors farm I asked Mike Volkman about the ST-220 Bearcat. Mike told me his grandfather purchased the tractor because he had heard they were solid tractor that had plenty of power and were easy to service. Volkman farms had been running Oliver tractors since 1948 but as they expanded their operation needed to look at a 4wd tractor for larger implements. Loyal to the Oliver brand Mike's grandfather tested out a White 4-180 as well as an  International 4386.  Then the Volkman's tested a Steiger ST-220.  There just was no comparison and the Volkman's had their first 4wd.

 As a young child I would always ask my parents to take the road that ran by the Volkman's when we went to town just incase the Steiger might be parked at the farm. It was such an exciting tractor for the day and so much bigger and louder than any other tractor the area. Ofcourse as a young farmer at heart I would ask for a toy Steiger  every time we visited the local IH dealer who also sold Steiger. I remember very well the top toy shelf had several 1/32 Steigers on it. One day, I came down with chicken pox and my dad bundled me up and said I am going to take you out to get you a present to help cheer you up. He took me to Rochester Tractor the local IH dealer where I had seen the toy Steigers so many times. To my shock they were sold out but the parts man said he would check to see if their might be one left.  He returned from the back of the store and said they did have one Steiger left.  It was a funny looking Steiger, it was yellow.  The yellow toy was a replica of the new Industrial model. I was just so thrilled to be taking home a Steiger to help cover the rug and sand box acres.

Just over 22 years latter Volkman Farms are still farming with the Bearcat ST-220 their grandfather purchased. The 4wd fleet has expanded to included a 1982 ST-310 Panther III and a 1983 PTA-325 Panther. The ST-220 is still running just as strong as it did in 1981. Dan Volkman repainted it a few years ago and added a nickname to its grille. The ST-220 is now known as "Old Faithful".  As for my prized Industrial Steiger, it is not too worse for wear. It shows it years of enjoyment from my childhood days but remains my favorite Steiger toy. Today it has a few more friends on the Steiger shelf. My 1/32 Steiger collection includes 40 different models and there are still 6 or 7 models I am looking for. It has been fun collecting Steiger toys over the years but nothing will match excitement the those early years of seeing the first real one and taking home my first model.

Learn more about the Volkman's operation by clicking on the blue logo: Volkman Farms Churchville, NY.

Jay

Volkman Farms Bearcat III

Old Faithful