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TTS
Farm Toy Report: July
2003 Issue #15
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TTS-Times
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The wheat
harvest is making its annual 2,000 mile journey from Texas to the Canadian
prairies. Each year the harvest begins in May in Texas and ends in
Canada during October. Of course wheat is harvested along the East
Coast and West Coast as well.
This month The Farm Toy Report will look at Garnett
Farm's wheat harvest. The Garnetts' raise 5,500 acres of winter wheat in
Hopkinsville, KY. TTS followed their combine and planting
crew through the two week harvest.
July
should prove to be a good new toy month. There are several new John
Deere items out and more on the way. AGCO Challenger toys have become
quite popular. The MT 665 Challenger is already sold out. This month we
are starting a new section highlighting a new toy release. July looks at
the Challenger three piece set. Remember August tends to be a late
summer surprise month for new CaseIH toys.
On
a sad note a good farmer friend to ToyTractorShow.com and
BigTractorPower.com has passed away. Timmy Kelley passed away on July 2,
2003 due to an accident.
Tim leaves behind a wife and five children. He was an IH and AC
farmer who was well known in his home town of Caledonia, NY and the
surrounding Rochester area. He will certainly be missed and his
family is our thoughts and prayers.
Timmy
Kelley plowing in December 2002 with his rare AC 4W-220 4wd (photo
by Gordy Schultz)
In August the TTS Farm Toy Report and The Toy Tractor Times will
feature the 101 years of the International Harvester brand. If you have articles or project
pictures for the Farm Toy Report or all new ToyTractorTimes.com
e-mail Jason Hasert at Webmaster@toytractorshow.com.
Jason Hasert
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New Toy News
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Looking to purchase many of the new toys listed in the Farm Toy Report?
Visit the TTS Links page at http://www.toytractorshow.com/links.htm
and look on the toy dealers listing. |
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AGCO
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The 1/16 Cockshutt 1950-T will be available at AGCO dealers in early
July. This is the 3rd 1950-T following the 2002 NFTS Oliver 1950-T
with fwa and duals and the shelf Oliver 1950-T with fwa and Hiniker cab.
The Cockshutt 1950-T differed from the Oliver only in paint color and hood
logo. Both models were rated at 105 hp and produced from 1967-1969. |
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1/64 Cockshutt 1950-T will arrive at AGCO dealers in early July.
This red 1950-T was built by Oliver and sold in Canada under the Cockshutt
brand. Both Oliver and Cockshutt were White Motor companies.
Visit your local AGCO dealer to check on availability. |
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| AGCO's
new MT765 Challenger tractor has been released in 1/16 scale by
Scale Models. This first model is a Joe Ertl Signature Edition. The
model offers free rolling tracks, hand rail detail and a window cab.
The model is signed by Scale Models founder and owner Joe Ertl. This
collectors piece has been retailing for $145 on average. |
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| The prototype of
the 1/64 AGCO Challenger MT 765 was on display at the Summer Farm Toy
Show held in Dyersville, Iowa last month. This model will also be
produced by Scale Models. It will make a nice addition to any 1/64
collection or display farm. |
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Big
Bud
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The biggest 1/64 tractor
ever
has been released . The 760 hp Factory
Version Big Bud 16V-747 towers over other 1/64
tractors. It will make a nice addition to any collection or
display. The Big Bud is packaged in a nice display box that gives
the tractors history. The Toy Tractor Times July issue will
feature this tractor in the "Hottest 64th of the Month" column
as well as implements that you can display with this outstanding
model. You can order the modern 900 hp 16V-747 through Toy
Farmer Magazine due out this fall, Visit www.toyfarmer.com
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Buhler-Versatile |
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There are no
production Buhler-Versatile toys at this time!!!!!!! Buyer
beware. Recently some blue Buhler-Versatile 2425 toys have appeared for sale on
the internet. These are customized toys with home made decals. One
model recently appeared on E-bay in a Scale Models box. Upon closer
inspection a collector can read 1999 Show Edition and see the box has been
stapled shut. Buhler did not own Versatile in 1999. New Holland
had just merged with CaseIH in 1999 and would not sell its 4wd line to
Buhler until August 2000. Buhler continued New Holland 4wd production
until July 2001 when the Steiger built TJ was released. In November
2001 the first Buhler-Versatiles began production. These models were
blue to use up remaining New Holland color components. Today
Buhler-Versatile 2wd and 4wd tractors are painted in Versatile red and
yellow. We will see Buhler-Versatile toys produced by three major farm
toy makers in late 2003 and on into 2004. |
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CaseIH
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Another version of the CaseIH AFX 8010 will be released in 1/64 this
fall. CaseIH will offer a Fall Farm Show Edition AFX with
duals and full detail. Early reports indicated that the AFX would
not be sold with duals. Large singles are a standard option from
CaseIH to improve flotation and compaction as well as make AFX 8010's
narrower for custom harvest crews. Duals can be added by dealers for
customers who prefer duals. Collectors can enjoy either option with
the fat single tire Dealer Edition AFX 8010 due out late this summer or
the dual version set for release this fall. |
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The MXU Maxxum series is the latest tractor line from CaseIH.
The new 80 hp to 105 PTO hp (MXU Series Maxxum™ tractors bring
value-added versatility to any operation. They’re designed especially
for fieldwork like mowing and baling, or loader chores around the feedlot.
The MXU tractors round out the MXM family which also includes the 95hp to
160 hp MXM Maxxum line. Ertl will offer a nicely detailed 1/16 105
hp MXU 125 replica latter in 2003. Look for other Maxxum toys to
follow. |
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CNH |
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Ertl will release three 1/32 Case-New
Holland toys in 2003. The new 1/32 toys will include a New Holland
TSA-125, CaseIH MXU 125 and a Steyer. These toys have nice detailing
complete with windowed cabs and front mud flaps. |
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John
Deere
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| 2003
markets the 40th Anniversary of the release of the John Deere
4020. Between 1963 and 1972, more than 200,000 4020's were
built. The 4020 is a modern day classic and one of the most popular
tractors of all time. Ertl is helping mark two decades of the legendary
4020's service to agriculture with a 3 piece 1/64 commemorative set.
The set includes a tricycle, wide front and power front wheel drive versions
of the 4020. Each model is a new variation. The front wheel
drive model is a gold plated. The set is packaged in their own
stackable display cases with yellow, green and black bases. The narrow front
case is imprinted with a 40th Anniversary marking, the wide front case with
John Deere logo and the gold case with the Ertl logo. The stacker set is
nicely packaged in the new Ertl spark plug box featuring other John Deere
toys on the back. Look for additional 4020 toys from Ertl in the near
future. |
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Ertl's 2003 box change from the tassel style to the spark plug card
continues. The popular John Deere 8870 and 9400 1/64 4wds with duals
can now be found at John Deere dealers on the new blister cards. |
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| The
original die-cast John Deere Tractor produced in 1947 by The Ertl Company
planted the seed that grew into the farm toy industry, and has been named to
the Toy Industry Association's "Century of Toys" list of the 100
top toys produced in the 20th century. Among the criteria used
by the judges in selecting toys for the list were longevity in the market,
incorporation of new technologies, introduction of a new play pattern,
consumer demand, creation of an industry trend, and impact on both the toy
industry and the children who played with these toys. Ertl has
produced a 1/64 John Deere A with man replica that is a contemporary
rendering that faithfully pays tribute to the original tractor that was
crafted more than 50 years ago. This collector piece is boxed with commemorative
details and imprints. You can purchase this toy at John Deere
dealers. |
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| We
are all eagerly awaiting the new 1/64 John Deere self-propelled 7500 chopper
and 2700 disk ripper. The 7500 was listed with a June release date but should
be available a John Deere dealers any day. The 2700 ripper was listed
with a July release date so we should see this item at dealers soon as well. |
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John Deere has a new Self-Propelled sprayer in development. This new sprayer
utilizes an 8020 series tractor chassis. The new model is rumored to
have more horse power, a larger chemical tank and new 120 ft spray
boom. It is also rumored to be model number 4920. This new sprayer
will hopefully make a nice 1/64 model to replace the current 4710
replica. |
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New
Holland
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TSA tractors are built for versatility with features and benefits suitable
for crop work, or the many jobs associated with dairy or livestock
farming. Farmers get the power and traction you need for field work, and
the PTO power and hydraulic capacity needed to drive a wide variety of
implements. The TSA series fits in-between the New Holland TS and TM
tractor lines. Ertl will offer a 1/16 TSA-125 collectors tractor in
2003 with detailed engine, opening hood, windowed cab and fwa mud flaps. |
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TNT |
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Here
is a fun tractor for the 4th of July. TNT the #1 selling brand in fire
works is offering a fire work called Monster Tractor Pull. It is
a tractor and wagon set made of card board. The tractor is red and the
wagon is gray with painted wooden sides. The set once lit moves on the
ground and is outfitted with fire works that smoke. whistle and emit green
stars, a spinner and a silver flash. This
tractor fire works display is a great way to make farm toy collecting a part
of The United States 227th birthday. Please remember to stay safe with
fire works. Use them under close adult supervision, use outdoors, on a
hard level place and away from buildings people. This
item is not a toy.
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July
Question
And Answer by Bill Walters RC/Ertl Farm Toy Manager |
| In
March 2001 Bill Walters the Farm Toy Product Manager began taking
part in question and answer forums on Toy Tractor Show.com with toy
tractor collectors. Over the past two plus years we the collector
have asked Bill the questions. Starting with the June 2003 TTS Farm
Toy Report, Bill will ask us the questions. This new format will allow
collectors to see what Ertl is thinking about for future farm toy products
and participate in that future by giving their opinion. This new
format will operate on a polling system where you the collector read
Bill's question and then respond by voting in a poll. |
| #1.
Recently we have done some special "Anniversary" issues
including the 1/16 IH 100th Anniversary Series, John Deere 50/60
Anniversary Set. Does the Anniversary of a tractor have significance
to you? Click
Here to Answer
#2. Another Anniversary question.
In 2005, Ertl will celebrate it's 60th Anniversary. Would you
purchase special 60th Anniversary Ertl items ? Click
Here to Answer
#3. We are trying to determine
whether we should proceed with additional Precision Construction
units. What are your thoughts on the units done so far? Click
Here to Answer |
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Feature New
Product of the Month |
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The new Challenger set from Ertl is a nice new brand in 1/64 to
collect. Challenger was launched in early 2002 after the December
2001 sale of the Caterpillar tractor line by Caterpillar to AGCO.
This new three piece set is the first AGCO/Challenger toys from
Ertl. The three piece set includes a wheeled Challenger tractor,
Challenger disc-mower and tandem disk. The set is nicely packaged in
the new Ertl spark plug box. One collectors note is that set should
include a Challenger MT655 tractor but packaged with the MT665 which is
sold on an individual blister card. The MT655 will be placed in the
three piece set on the next production run.
 
The
new Challenger toys have interesting decals. One nice thing about
Challenger tractors like the MT665 is that there is no guessing
about the horse power. AGCO prints the horse power right on the hood panel
decal under the Challenger name. In the case of the MT665 it is a
225 hp tractor and the largest wheeled Challenger tractor. The model
number MT665 is placed on the cab roof which also sets it apart from other
AGCO tractors and other brands.
The
PTD12 mower (pull type disc-mower 12 ft) is a nice variation of the CaseIH
and Hesston disc-mowers released in 1998. This yellow mower makes a
nice team with the MT665 and other 1/64 Ertl tractors. One
interesting thing about the new yellow mower is that on the rear windrow
discharge section is a decal with the AGCO/Hesston logo on it.
If
your looking for a new and interesting farm set the new Challenger pieces
may fit the bill. Check your Caterpillar dealer or on-line toy
dealers found on the TTS Links page for availability. |
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Challenger MT
700 and MT
800 Series
track tractors, created and powered by Caterpillar, are among the
most advanced farming machines on the market today. When AGCO
purchased the Caterpillar tractor line, CAT dealers decided to take on a whole new line of tractors,
combines and hay tools, with one goal in mind: To offer a full
line of farm equipment with of the name Challenger. The new
tractor line ranges from 45hp to 500 hp, the 670 combine is a top notch
harvesting machine and the Challenger hay line is produced at the well
known Hesston Hay and Forage Factory. Below are some of the new
challenger products photographed by TTS Member David McCormack at Atlantic
Caterpillar located in Price Edward Island, Canada. |
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WHEAT HARVEST |
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Garnett
Farms raises 5,500 acres of wheat in Western Kentucky. This
family farm is an impressive operation. Over 25 photo's of Garnett
Farm's wheat harvest will be posted on the TTS website BigTractorPower.com
soon. The Garnett's
operate 5 John Deere 9750 STS combines, three Kinze grain carts and 10
semi trucks during wheat harvest. Soybeans are drilled in directly behind
the combines for a double crop. Early in the harvest stripper heads
are used to harvest wet and green wheat and as the crop dries down the
farm switches to grain heads. Below are a few photos from the wheat
harvest with more to come on BigTractorPower.com. Watch the TTS News for
more information. To see the Garnett's spring tillage and corn planting
visit www.bigtractorpower.com.
2003 John Deere 9750 STS
with 25ft AGCO stripper head
Field harvested with
AGCO stripper heads
2003 John Deere 9750 STS
with 36ft MacDon draper head
Kinze 1040 Harvest
Commander Grain Cart
2002 John Deere 9520 4wd
with 40ft Concord air drill
2001 CaseIH STX 440
Quad-Trac with Horsche-Anderson 60Ft Air Drill
One of the semis
unloading at the grain bins
900,000 Bushel Grain
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TTS-Times
Notes
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Last month
The Toy Tractor Times "Down on the
Model Farm" article looked a building a mega farm display. The
article covered choosing 4wd tractors for a large farm. This month
TTT will review harvesting wheat on a large 1/64 display. "Down
on the Model Farm" will review the different types of combines
on the market from rotor to twin rotor to conventional. The article
will also look at trucking and grain storage as well as making a wheat
field. If you
are interested in this series join The Toy Tractor Times Magazine at www.toytractortimes.com
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