Farm Toy Report

Toy Tractor Show.Com News

TTS Farm Toy Report: October 2002 Issue #6

The Fall is in full swing. Combines are shelling corn and harvesting soybeans. The sounds of combines in the fields and trucks rumbling to the bins means fall farm toy shows are here. The toy show seasons kicks off with a bang at the National Farm Toy Show held in Dyersville, IA the farm toy capitol of the world. 2002 marks the 25th Anniversary of the National started by the Toy Farmer magazine in 1977. ToyTractorShow.com will again hold a TTS dinner at the Country Junction Restaurant in Dyersville, Iowa at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday November 2, 2002 one half hour after the show ends on that day. Jeff Moore of Moore's Toys and Gordy Schultz of Toy Farmin' will co-host this second annual TTS get together. Twenty-five people attend last year and it was great evening for TTS members to meet in person and make new friends. To RSVP for the dinner please e-mail Jeff Moore at farmtoys@ee.net. This month The TTS Farm Toy Report focuses on Deere & Company. John Deere is one of the United States oldest and best known brands. For 165 years John Deere has brought quality and innovation to the farm equipment market. John Deere is a leader in tractor and combine sales. This month Dan Adamson looks a 1/64 variations of 1980's John Deere toys. Jim Simpson has been kind enough to offer another 1/16 history article. This month Jim takes us back 10 years to the fall of 1992 when the first John Deere 7800 toy was released. There are several new John Deere toys coming from Ertl this fall in 1/64 and 1/16 and the new re-leases are being kicked of by the all new 1/64 1790 16/31 corn planter. We might just see more seeding items in 1/64 in our stockings for Christmas. There are some great John Deere custom toys in this issue to check out. The Farming history section looks back at some popular John Deere products and toys from the 1980's and early 1990's. Next Month TTS will look at New Holland toy and real history as we look forward to the November release of the 1/64 TG 285 tractor and CR 960 combine. If you have articles or ideas for New Holland topics e-mail Jason Hasert at Webmaster@toytractorshow.com.

Jason Hasert

TTS Webmaster

John Deere A Fall Harvest Leader For 55 Years

The Largest Selection of Mini-Toys on the Web Can be Found at http://www.dandmcollectibles.com

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Liquid Spreaders, Anhydrous Nurse Tanks, Machinery Trailers, Grain Carts, Dry Fertilizer Spreaders, Grain Augers, Hay Wagons, Hesston tractors and Hesston square balers.

Check Out This Great Selection Today

If you would like to be the next TTS or TTS Farm Toy Show Report Sponsor contact Jason Hasert at Webmaster@toytractorshow.com

Classic Toy Tractor Review

1/64th John Deere Tractor & 1/80th Harvester Variations of the 1980's

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

1/64 John Deere 30-40 Series Tractors

The thirty and forty series toy tractors were introduced in the late 70’s and the early 80’s. They were the first JD toys made after the seven piece historical set. There are two major variations with these toys. There is a single metal green stack version and a two plastic black stack version. Both series were made with this variation. The last variation I have found has to do with the push on/spun on front tires. Spun on versions are older. This is where the front axle stub was machined over to hold the wheel. The push on version is just what it sounds like. The wheels were pushed on over a knob on the front axle stub. All versions I have found have the push on front tires. With one exception being a 30 series model with spun on front wheels. All models have rims with three holes and small “lugs” by each hole. Some have rivets and some have steel pins for a rear axle.

1/64 John Deere 4wds

These toys were made in the 80’s. The main variations with these models are the colors. The original tractors were made with a noticeably lighter color green, which was later corrected to match the true John Deere color. One other variation that is common with both colors is the headlight sticker. The sticker on the grill was made with either a white background or a yellow background behind the imprint of the lenses. Towards the end of Ertl’s production of tractors with “generic” wheels, there were some differences in the style of rims. This may have been caused by the introduction of new manufacturers in different countries having different rim molds. The most common tractors had plain rims with out lugs. There is at least one other variation of wheels on the 8850 that has rims with lugs. These models have three holes in the rims with or without three “lugs” next to them. There are other rim variations that are not used on these models. The last variation of the 8850 was a "Power-R-Pull" model that raced forward on a friction drive powered by pulling the tractor back. This model stands out because it does not articulate and had hard rubber tires.

The last John Deere 4X4’s are all Toy Show tractors.

1989 CCD Show 8630

1990 KCKS Heart of America 8850

1991 NCK Farm Toy Show 8850

1994 2-2 St Louis 8630

2002 St Louis 2-2 8640

1/80 Cotton Pickers

These toys are 1/80 scale and were made 80’s. I have found four variations with these. The most interesting variation that I stumbled across has a small piece protruding from the left side near the front of the cotton bin. There is also a cut out in the cover to accommodate for this protrusion. The only reason I can think of for this is that it helps hold the cover on. The cover is otherwise very loose and will easily fall off. These variations have been found with hard and soft rubber tires. You can notice the difference by squeezing the tires. Hard to do when they are NIP though.

1/80 Titan II Combines

These combines are 1/80 scale and were made 80’s. The very first model was made with a black auger and a yellow reel on the grain head. This was a little harder to find, but is popping up quite often now at larger shows. The first models were also made with a non-detachable grain head. It didn’t take long to switch to a detachable head. They were first made with a detachable grain head only. The corn head was later added. When John Deere went to a green cab top on the real thing the toys were soon to follow. These had a rather short life before Ertl went to the 1/64 combines. However they are not hard to find.

Happy 10th Birthday to the 7800

by Jim Simpson

In the fall of 1992 John Deere unveiled the most significant top to bottom change in John Deere tractors since the introduction of the 10 series in 1960. The 7000 series tractors also marked the biggest design change for John Deere since the Generation II tractors with Sound Gard introduced in 1972. The innovations on the 7000 series went beyond fresh styling and sleek looks. John Deere offered major advancements in technology and design, including new hydraulics, new transmissions and a new Comfort Gard cab. The most significant improvement was the 7000 series modular construction which offered improved access to components such as the engine, transmission and hydraulic systems. To help train John Deere dealers and show potential customers the the reduced service time and increased productivity the 7000 series offered, Ertl produced a series of 1/16 die-cast instructional models that assembled in much the same way the real tractors did. The 145hp John Deere 7800 was chosen for this special model run. Each tractor consisted of 20 components, constructed primarily of die-cast metal. Features that set this model apart from other Ertl collector and shelf-edition 7800's were the three point hitch, the non-working draw bar (realistic hitch but no hole for implement hook up) removable hood, re-moveable cab, re-moveable engine, re-moveable transmission and other interesting components. This demo model was the most outstanding demo tractor offered by Ertl since the Case Golden and Blacknight Demonstrator tractors in the early 1970's. Although these 7800 demo models have not sky rocketed in value like the Case demo's as one might have though when this neat model was released in 1992. A small quantity of these die-cast kits were delivered to John Deere for their Waterloo, IA dealer intro training sessions. At least for other versions of the 7800 demo kits were released.

#1 Waterloo Introduction Tractor: Each dealership that completed the trainig session was shipped one kit. A die-cast inscription on the tractor chassis will identify it as a Waterloo Introduction Kit. The box is marked with a gold foil emblem. Production was limited to 2,900 units.

#2 Mannheim Introduction Tractor: One tractor kit was shipped to each John Deere Dealer in Europe. There is a special die-cast inscription on the chassis and the package is unique to the Mannheim edition. Production was limited to 3,500 units.

#3 Demonstrator Tractor: This model was available for purchase at John Deere dealers. This kit was marked with an inscription reading "Demonstrator." Production was limited to the number of dealer orders.

#4 Dealership Tractor: This was in essence a shelf tractor sold through John Deere dealers to promote the new 7000 series tractors. Production was not limited.

	October Top 10 Question And Answer by Bill Walters RC/Ertl Farm Toy Manager
Since March 2001 Bill Walters the farm toy product manager for Racing Champions/Ertl has taken an active role on ToyTractorShow.com listening to collectors interests and answering their questions. Starting with in the May Farm Toy Report Mr. Walters answers the top 10 monthly topics on TTS Toy Talk. Below are areas of interest brought up by Toy Talk Members here on ToyTractorShow.com over the past month with answers from Bill Walters. TTS webmaster Jason Hasert selects the questions.
Question #1: The number one question is why where the tire spacers on the new 1/64 MX 285 left off the final product? The brochure picture looked nice with the triple tires spaced out? Obviously not all farmers space out their triples. Answer #1: This is just a different configuration that you may see in other parts of the country, not necessarily the Midwest. We have to be careful to try to keep farmers in all parts of the U.S. happy, not just Midwest corn and soybean growers.. Question #2: Ertl has recently started offering spaced duals on 1/64 models like the CaseIH MX 135, MX 270, JD 7710 and 8420. The new AGCO DT 225 duals were not spaced. How are spaced duals decided on and will we see more of row crop duals on future new tooling? Answer #2: It is decided upon a case by case basis with our staff. Again, not every farmer uses row crop duals. We like to mix up our offerings and we realize whatever we do, someone will not like it. Question #3: Who decides what pieces go into the new 40 to 75 piece toy sets? Ertl has released 3 John Deere sets, 2 CaseIH and 1 New Holland. Will there be an AGCO? Would Ertl look at offering more continuity such as a large planting farm set and harvesting set? Answer #3: Part of the decision is based upon overall costs of the pieces involved. We try to offer the best value for the money.. We will continue to look at new set options for all OEMs. Question #4: A problem that 1/64 fans have found with Ertl combines including the John Deere 9750 STS, CaseIH 2388 and new New Holland CR 970 is that their unloading augers do not clear the Ertl semi's, ten wheeler trucks or C&J grain carts. Would it be possible for Ertl to work on tooling an auger for future new combines that allows the auger to pivot up a bit to clear grain handling equipment. Answer #4: Yes, we will take into consideration the height of these vehicles as we move forward. Question #5: Are the AGCO Gleaner R-52 or C-62 models still in production? If not is there any chance of a AGCO Gleaner R-75 with a 12 row head and 30ft grain head as a replacement? Answer #5: We still have tooling for the first units. We will talk with AGCO and see what the next steps are. Question #6: 1/32 implements for the STX 450 and 9420T is still a hot topic. If Ertl were inclined to offer implements in the future would Ertl lean toward a tillage item or a seeding item? Answer #6: The next 1/32 Precision units are not planned until 2004. We are getting close to finalizing our plans, but these must then be approved by the OEMs before we can proceed. There is nothing I can announce yet. Question #7: On an average how many new products does Ertl offer in a given year and how many does Ertl discontinue. Does Ertl have a planned number of years for a production run or do sales of a particular item determine if a production is shorter or longer? Answer #7: We normally offer around 100 new or revised items per year. Roughly 30-35 of those are newly tooled. Others are new variations or model #s from existing tooling, or different sets and assortments for OM accounts. We try to keep roughly the same amount of items in our line, so we will drop around the same amount every year. Sales is the determining factor on how long a product stays in the line. If it continues to sell, we'll continue to build it. If no one is buying it, then there's no sense in producing more. Question #8: Collectors have noticed that the new CIH STX 450 is assembled with screws rather than rivets like the STX 375 it replaced. Will screws be a future trend on new 1/64 items for Ertl? Answer #8: To allow us to market certain items as a kit, the tooling has to allow for the unit to be put together with screws. This essentially means that our assembled unit will have to use screws as well.. If we have no plans to offer a particular unit as a kit, then you will continue to see rivets. Question #9: Hopefully the 1/16 John Deere 4760 was well received. Any chance of Ertl stepping further back and offering the old 4955 casting as a 4555 or another variation? Answer #9: When John Deere introduced the 60 series, we revised the 4955 casting to reflect the changes in the exhaust to the 4960/4760.. This was a permanent change to the tool, so you will not be seeing a 4955 or any other 55 series tractor from this tooling. Question #10: With the fall harvest season here is there any information you can update us on with the future of the 1/28 scale John Deere 9510? Is it here to stay or is Ertl exploring 50 series options in 1/28 or a new scale 1/16 or 1/32? Answer #10: The 9510 will continue in our line for 2003. I would be interested to hear comments about what scale a new combine should be produced in. 1/16th or 1/32nd? I don't plan on producing any new 1/28th scale combines.

New Toy News
What Your Favorite Toys in 2002?

In 2001 ToyTractorShow.com started a feature reviewing the most popular and talked about toys of the year. TTS will continue the feature in 2002. Think back over the past year about your favorite new releases and the toys you heard people talking about the most. Nominate your favorite 1/16, Precision, 1/32, 1/64 farm toys and custom models for 2002 by e-mailing them to Webmaster@toytractorshow.com . Look for the top models of 2002 to be featured in the December Farm Toy Report. To look back on the best of 2001 click here.

*New on the Scene*
C&D Models is ready to meet your fall tillage needs with a new line up of 1/64 plows and rippers built in a size to make 4wds go to to work. The real stand out item from C&D is their new 1/64 12 and 8 bottom plows. The plows are offered in red and green. 1/64 collectors have been waiting 17 years for a plow to return to the 1/64 market. For a full view of the new line up visit www.cdmodels.com.
If you have been looking for added realism for you display or custom built project then take a look at these. Authentic loads painted as corn or soybeans available to fit inside most 1/64 products. For example: Ertl JD 9750 and 9600 combines; CaseIH 2100 and 2300 combines; Ertl and Tonka Grain Trucks; Ertl Hopper Bottom Grain Trailer; Spec Cast Avalanche, Ertl JD 500, and Scale Models Kinze Auger Wagons; Spec Cast Brent Grain Train; Ertl Gooseneck Grain Trailer; and Standi Bin Extension. NH CR combines coming soon. Brent Grain Trains with load and roll tarps also available. For more pictures of John's grain loads click here. For ordering or additional information email johnesche@hotmail.com
*AGCO*
This month we get our first look at the 1/64 Oliver 1950-T by Ertl made for the 2002 National Toy Show. This great model offered through the Toy Farmer Magazine features fwa and dual wheels just like the 1/16 model. Both the 1/64 and 1/16 Oliver 1950-T's were offered to subscribers of the Toy Farmer with a July 15, 2002 order deadline. The models will be released to those who ordered them at the National Toy Show on Friday November 1, 2002 and shipped out the following week to those not attending the show. To learn more about the Oliver 1950-T click here. To view other new AGCO items click here.
Scale Models will release three new 1/16 Challenger tractors this month for the Farm Progress Show. Look for a 1/16 Challenger MT665 w/FWA & Duals, 1/16 Challenger MT465 w/FWA and a 1/16 Challenger MT265 w/FWA and ROPS. These Challenger models are based from the AGCO DT, RT and ST models. To learn more about the AGCO Challenger brand click here.
*McCormick*
McCormick tractors have become a popular both on the farm and on collectors shelves during there first year of production. In February of this year Scale Models offered a collectors edition C-70 for the McCormick lines introduction to the U.S. Market at the National Farm Machinery Show. McCormick and Scale Models have teamed up again for the Farm Progress Show by offering a 1/16 MTX 140, C-100. The tractors were available at the show and will be offered at McCormick dealers in mid-November. You can purchase all three models through www.binkleyhurst.com .
Scale Models has also converted its 1/64 CaseIH 4230 over to a McCormick C-100. This model will be sold as a 2002 Farm Progress Show model.
McCormick is also jumping into the pedal tractor market. Scale Models is offering a McCormick MTX 140 complete with fwa front tires as a pedal tractor. This modern tractor with a classic name is sure to bring hours of fun to children or offer a new option to pedal collectors. You can purchase the pedal MTX 140 models through www.binkleyhurst.com .
CaseIH
Ertl has released a 1/64 CaseIH MX 255 which is part of the NeXt Generation line of Magnums. This model has front duals and rear row crop duals and is a 2002 Farm Show Edition. The cab roof has an inscription stating "Limited Farm Show Edition.". The MX 255 is packaged in a Limited Farm Show Edition ice cream container type box. In September Ertl released a collectors edition MX 285 to help introduce the new generation of Magnums. Click here for more information.
The new 1/16 IH 986 is arriving at CaseIH dealers now. Ertl has updated this classic 86 series cast with the later style Tri-Stripe decal offered from 1980-1982 on the 86 series line. Ertl also has replaced the old rubber straight "stick in yourself" smoke stack with a plastic muffler with a rain cap. This new muffler adds a nice touch of realism. The cab doors also have the IH tri-stripe decal that wraps around the door post. The wheels have silver trim around the outside just like a real IH row crop tractor. The original row crop 1086 and 886 models from the 1970's did not feature silver trim. One flaw in the tractor is its grille decal. The headlights are too oval. Hopefully later runs will fix this variation.
Whoooops. There was a mistake on one of the 1/64 ERTL NeXt generation CaseIH MX Magnums. The 1/64 MX Magnum with fwa and rear singles was decaled and packaged as an MX 235. There is no such model as the MX 235. CaseIH has replaced the MX 220 with the 190 hp MX 230 not MX 235. The MX 235 will be a nice variation for 1/64 collectors and no more will be produced. CaseIH dealers should be stocking the corrected 1/64 MX 230's latter this year.
John Deere
John Deere's new 8520T is being offered by Ertl as a 16th and 64th Scale Collectors Edition Set The 1/16th Scale Tractor offers all the bells and whistles with an opening hood, revealing the detailed John Deere 8.1 Liter Engine it also features cab glass , front weights, side mounted weights (a new feature for 1/16 T models), warning light arms( first found on the 8520 CE), cab mirrors, GPS dome, cab roof lights, hand rails and a 3pt hitch. The 1/64th scale 8520T features a chrome finish. The 1/64 chrome 8520T proved to very controversial with TTS Toy Talk members in July when it was announced. It will be interesting to see if other 1/16 tractor sets with chrome 1/64 models are offered in the future and to see how the collecting community receives them. This looks like another outstanding 1/16 Twenty Series Collectors Edition by Ertl and will retail for $65 or less in most cases.
Toy Poll Take a TTS Poll on what the next John Deere combine from Ertl should be. As you read in the October Ertl Top 10 the John Deere 9510 combine will be the last 1/28 combine from Ertl. When a more modern full size John Deere combine is introduced by Ertl would you like to see a 1/16 scale or 1/32 scale combine? Keep in mind current 1/16 scale combines on the market are very large and run for $199+ where current 1/32 combines are $40+. Take the poll by clicking here.
Since 1999 John Deere has offered a 1/64 and 1/16 John Deere Farm Show Edition model by Ertl. Last month we looked at the 1/16 2002 model which is a 6320. This month we have a chance to look at the 1/64 2002 8420T. This model is a variation of the Ertl 8520T and is package in a special 2002 Farm Show Edition that states 1 of 5000, 4th in a series. The 8420T's roof also has a similar imprint. Farm Show Edition's have proven to be very collectable and raise in value months after there release. The 1st 1/64 model offered in 1999 was an 8410 with rear triples, the 2000 model was a 9300T and the 2001 model was a 9750 STS combine with duals.
Ertl introduced a new line of plastic John Deere toys in 1/64 and 1/16. It has collectors talking. These are great play toys for children. No worries about chips and scratches in the sand box. 1/64 collectors on TTS Toy Talk have been talking about the 1/64 plastic 8420. This durable model is nicely crafted to reflect an 8020 model and features the same cab interior as the die-cast unit from Ertl. While you will probably not find it on farm displays it is a nice option for young rug farmers or customizers looking for an inexpensive parts source. The 8420 pictured here was purchased by TTS at a John Deere dealer for $1.99. This may be a nice way to turn your die-cast 8420 from front duals to singles. Hopefully Ertl will offer CaseIH, New Holland and AGCO tractors as plastic models in the future.
The 1/64 John Deere 7200 12 corn planter has served the carpet farm well since 1986. All new for November 2002 is the 1/64 John Deere 1790 16/31 corn planter. This bulk fill planter will modernize any 1/64 planting system planting 16 rows of 30 inch corn or 31 rows of 15 inch soybeans. We eagerly await the release of this exciting new toy in November. Click here to learn more about the real planter.
Kinze
The long awaited 12/23 and 16/31 Kinze 3600 Twin-Line planters have been released by Gottman Toys. The two planters were manufactured by Spec-Cast. These new planters are fully functioning replicas of two of the most popular planters in America and are set up to plant 30 inch corn and 15 inch beans. They mostly die-cast with the exception of the planter boxes, hitch front (telescoping part), markers and truss-like support system on the main frame which are plastic. The back of the 1 of 1,000 twin pack Farm Progress Edition toy box has a nice history of the Deere/Kinze planters. The shelf edition planters come in individual bubble pack boxes. Click here for more information.
New Holland
Scale Models is now offering its third variation of the New Holland TJ 4wd line. Look for the 425 hp TJ 425 at your New Holland Dealer this fall in Pedal, 1/16, 1/32 and 1/64 scale. The new TJ 425's will feature dual wheels. The 2001 Farm Progress TJ 375's featured triple tires and the November 2001 ST. Louis Dealer Editions featured dual tires. Blue fans have a real hp line up to choose from thanks to Scale Models. You can view all the new TJ 425's by clicking here.
GEHL
Ghel hay equipment is finally available in 1/64. Gehl and Die-Cast Promotions brings the newest and best to the 1/64 scale round baling world. Introducing the all-new 2580 baler featuring the state-of-the-art Variable Open-Throat Power In-Feed System. 1/64 scale Gehl 2580 Round Baler features die-cast metal construction, opening tailgate, authentic Gehl graphics and free-rolling wheels. Also included is a round bale. Hopefully we will see more Gehl hay items like mowers and choppers from Die-Cast Promotions in the future. You can purchase the 2580 baler at www.jaydeezonline.com

Harvest Tip's from Jeff Moore

Just like farmers prep there combines for the fall harvest collectors can fix up there 1/64 combines this fall too. We will look at the John Deere 9750 STS to keep in the TTS green theme for October. There are a few minor alterations that can be made to the STS right at home to improve its accuracy on a display.

Auger Height Fix

Tools needed: Saftey glasses, drill and 3/16 bit, super glue and Devcon 5 minute epoxy, phillips screwdriver,needle nose pliers, &piece of brass or aluminum tubing 3/16 od. X 3/4" long .014 wall thickness.

To reposition long unloading auger: Remove screws holding body halfs together, and screw holding grain bin extension to upper body halve. Cut or grind off tabs on auger and remove it. Drill 3/16 hole in combine at angle pictured so auger will set at the correct position when out. install auger into tube and into combine. Reinstall bin extension and fasten with screw, position auger and tube at correct angle. It may be necessary to redrill the hole to get the correct angle. When you have the correct angle, epoxy tube in place. It may also be necessary to sand some off rear side of auger ring so it fits straight back in the transport position. Reassemble combine . Touch up paint if needed. Any questions you can email us at farmtoys@ee.net

Feeder House Fix

Header not in proper location: Here's one way you can fix it. File or sand off top sides-edges of it so header fits back against the front of it. Drill 1/16 hole at white dot location in picture #1. then re drill hole using 3/32 bit. Cut piece 3/32 rod to correct width. and super glue in place. You can also put epoxy on inside of it if desired. Touch up paint. Any questions email us farmtoys@ee.net

If you would like to try your hand at some more advanced customizing you can try our full STS detail kit. You can visit our on-line store at www.mooresfarmtoys.com

Sprucing up the 1/64 John Deere 6420

by Mike W.

The original 6420 from Ertl looked a little like a hi-crop so I took a shot at lowering the tractor. Here's what I did.

1. Cut out entire rear axle housing and ground off about 3/32" and reattached. This lowers the tractor and brings the smaller rear tire up into the rear fender.
2. Swapped the tire from the IH 1206 onto the original rear rim. This is a smaller diameter tire with about the same rim size.
3. Moved the front axle up into the chassis by cutting deeper grooves for the pins the axle pivots on. The side braces also need to be ground down.
4. Swapped the original front rims and tires for smaller diameter rims and tires from the rear of an IH 460 low profile tractor. The wheel weights also needed to be ground off.

Custom Farm Toys
Tony Black has created a very nice 1/16 scale 4320 that is true to size in form and looks. Read more about Tony's 4320 by clicking here.
Zach Adams better known to TTS Fans as Zach from G-town has set up a nice 1/64 planting outfit for himself. Zach has customized a wide track John Deere 8520T with all the bells and whistles to handle a 24 row 1770 John Deere corn planter he built and a custom built 1/64 1860 John Deere air drill from Jason Jeffers. For the full story click here.
Big planters are what 1/64 collectors are looking for. John Schomburg a favorite customizer of TTS members worked very hard to create a 24 row Kinze 3700 planter. It is well matched by a New Holland 9384 4wd customized with clear windows and a large rear chemical tank to keep the big planter on the go longer. Click here for more pictures.
Paul Daigneault read Trek Holland's post on TTS Toy Talk about the demo New Holland CX Combine with tracks and decided to add tracks to his CaseIH 2388. One has to wonder if Paul is on to something with his tracks? Maybe CaseIH will offer a Quad-Trac combine someday? Keep up the good work Paul.
John Esche a talented 1/64 builder has topped his custom IH 7488 with a custom IH 7788. John has also customized a John Deere 8850 and cast several types of grain loads which you may have read about under new toys. For more pictures of John's 4wds and grain loads click here.

Farming History
The John Deere 8400 put John Deere in a strong lead in the constant hp race of row crop tractors. In 1991 John Deere released the 200 hp 4960 to top the 195 hp CIH 7140. CaseIH answered back with a 200 hp 7150 and the pulled out ahead with 215 hp 7250. John Deere made its mark in 1994 when it introduced the totally new from the ground up 225hp 8400. A tractor of this size was unheard off and matched the hp of 4wds John Deere had offered 20 years earlier. To learn more about this monster row cropper of the mid 1990's click here.
In 1993 John Deere introduced the largest chopper on the market. The 430 hp 6910's main selling point was its big 6 row corn head. The heads two outside rows fold in for easy transport. The 6910 has also proven to be a popular 1/64 toy on the collectors market. Click here to learn more about the 6910 and other John Deere Choppers.
The 4960 was the largest Sound-Gard row crop tractor ever offered by John Deere. The 4960 was the best of the best of the Sound-Gard tractor line offering everything farmers had asked Deere & Company for in a Sound-Gard since their introduction in 1972. Not only was the 4960 well though of in the field but it is also very popular among toy tractors. Click here to learn more about the John Deere 4960 its 1/16 and 1/64 4960 toy models.
John Deere 4wds had used the same basic design for 13 years on the 30, 40 and 50 series. In the fall of 1988 John Deere swept away all the old looks and features with the introduction of the 60 series 4wds in Denver, Colorado. The new 8960 shattered all previous John Deere 4wd hp ratings and is one of the most highly prized collectors pieces by John Deere fans after the 1/16 7520. Click here for more information.
The 8650 was what farmers were looking for in a mid-sized 4wd in the 1980's. Many John Deere customers purchased there first 4wd in mid-1970's and started out on an 8630 and were looking for more in the 80's. John Deere offered a new engine and new comfort features in the 8650. To learn more about this popular 4wd and the toy models offered by Ertl click here.

TTS Notes

Fall is an exciting time in the farming world. New equipment is being shown off at major farm shows and new toys follow. It is a chance for farmers to take a day and see what is new in the farm machinery world and watch these big new items roll along side by side and head to head in field demonstrations. Fall Farm Shows also offer collectors a wide array of new toys. This year there are several special toys being offered at the Fall Farm Shows to commemorate the show events and new products of 2002. Ertl is offering a 1/16 John Deere 6320 and a 1/64 John Deere 8420T as their 4th Fall Farm Show Edition John Deere toys. Ertl is also pleasing red fans with a 1/64 CaseIH MX 255 with front and rear duals. Scale Models is offering a nice selection of new toys for the Fall Shows including a 1/16 McCormick MTX 140 and C-100 as well as a 1/64 C-100. AGCO is in the fray with three new Challenger toys including a 1/16 MT665 w/FWA & Duals, 1/16 MT465 w/FWA and a 1/16 Challenger MT265 w/FWA and ROPS. Spec Cast through Gottman Toys is offering an exciting boxed set of two Twin-Line Kinze planters, a popular item and long awaited model among 1/64 collectors. Fall Farm Show models are great ways to remember what was hot and new in a given year or a trip to one of the big shows. Most often a Fall Farm Show model is a variation of a standard toy but helps fill a gap in a line up like the 1988 1/64 Husker Harvest Case International 1640 Axial-Flow or the 2001 Fall Farm Show John Deere 9750 STS with long awaited and demanded duals. Some models can command a hefty price in just a short time. In 1999 John Deere offered a 1/16 8310 Fall Farm Show model to help introduce the new 8010 line. Today this model will bring over $250 at a show. Other Fall Farm Show Models will have the farm toy collecting community all a buzz with excitement like the 2001 TJ 375 line with models in all three scales. A big value leader from last years Fall Farm Show crop was the 1/16 John Deere 7510. The 7510 sold for around $80 during the show season of September and October. By the first weekend in November at the National Toy Show the 7510 was selling on average of $120. Not a bad increase if you were lucky enough to purchase one at Fall Shows. If there is one thing certain about Fall Farm Show Edition toys there is always next year to look forward too. Could Fall 2003 bring a 1/64 CaseIH AFX 8010 ? We can only wait and see. Enjoy some pictures sent in from Farm Progress days by TTS member Jeff Griffin of Wisconsin.

Jay

Have a Great Harvest

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