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TTS
Farm Toy Report: September
2003 Issue #17
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TTS-Times
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Fall is
almost upon us again. Here in Kentucky farms have been shelling
corn for about a month now. It looks like a good crop this year with
average yields of 180 to 200 bu. The big news in corn harvesting
is the all new CaseIH combine. I had a chance see a new CaseIH AFX
8010 shelling corn a few weeks ago. This is one impressive combine in
the field and Ertl has done an A+ job in detailing it in 1/64.
There will be a full feature on the new AFX 8010 toy comparing it to the
New Holland CR970 toy in the September Toy Tractor Times.
This is the TTS Fall
Farm Show Edition. Each year the farm toy makers and OEM's offer special
farm toys for the big farms shows. This is where OEM's show
off their latest tractors, combines and tillage tools. Most of
these shows take place in the mid-west. The special toys will be available
at the shows in late September. Do not worry if you can not get to
the shows. Many of the well known toy dealers on the net will be at the
shows and pick up extra cases to sell on their websites. You can
find many of these toy dealers on the TTS
links page.
In October the TTS Farm Toy Report and The Toy Tractor Times will
feature the corn harvest. 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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TTS Fall Farm Show Edition
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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 Toy Tractor Times Magazine has
released its 2003 and 20th Anniversary Tractor. This years TTT
Anniversary Tractor is the 1973 Allis-Chalmers 7030. This Ertl model
replicates the 130 ho 1973 AC-7030 with black mask cab and maroon
belly. This die-cast model also has 36 inch row crop duals. This
model is also the first in a series of five 1970's tractors from The Toy
Tractor Times that will be completed in 2007. To learn more about the
7030 and for an order form click
here. |
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| AGCO has a new
Precision on the way. The Precision
Collector 50th Anniversary "Allis Chalmers WD-45 Gas Narrow Front"
is a One-Time Dealer Order. This never released before gasoline
version is a special collectors edition and not part of the numbered AGCO
Precision series. Fifty gold plated WD-45 tractors will be randomly
inserted into dealer cases. |
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Big
Bud
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The Big
Bud 900 HP Duals Modern Field Version in 1/64 is set to be released by Toy
Farmer and DCP in September. This model follows the 760 hp
"Factory" version released in June. This model is highly
detailed and has the modern graphics and decals put on the tractor when it
was rebuilt in 1998.
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CaseIH
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| There
CaseIH AFX 8010 variation.
The new 1/64 collectors edition AFX 8010 has a slight decal
variation. The 12 row corn head on the new 1/64 toy has a 2012 model
number decal. The actual CaseIH model number on the real corn head
is 2412. The Dealer Edition AFX 8010 given to CaseIH dealers in
February has 2412 decal. The shelf edition AFX 8010 due out in
December 2003 should have the 2412 decal as well. |
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| Spec-Cast
will offer a 1/16 plastic resin International HT-340 soon. On July 20, 1961 Harvester's HT 340
tractor was displayed at the 10th Annual Tractor Day held by the
University of Nebraska at Lincoln. This unusual design coupled a gas
turbine engine with a hydrostatic transmission. The 80 horsepower
turbine was a product of Solar Aircraft Company, an IH subsidiary.
Only 21 inches long, and 13 inches in diameter, the turbine with its
reduction gearing weighed but 90 pounds. Although this tractor
showed great promise it remained as an experimental style, and was placed
in the Smithsonian Institution on Sept. 1, 1967 |
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The latest ERTL
1/64 CaseIH implement is the MRX690 disk ripper. CaseIH describes the MRX
690 as follows: "If soil management and high productivity performance
are critical to your farming operation, the Case IH MRX690 is made for
you! Both 5-shank and 7-shank models provide residue management, improved
soil tilth and seed bed conditioning… in a single pass. The MRX690
accomplishes this by sizing residue, removing compaction and leaving the
surface uniformly mulched, leveled and ready for spring cultivation."
This exciting 1/64 toy is due out for Fall 2003. |
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| The latest 1/64
MX Magnum will be arriving at CaseIH dealers this fall. A shelf
edition MX 285 with front and rear row crop duals adds new options for the
shelf and display. It is nice to see another 1/64 model with duals
all around. This is the first shelf model MX Magnum with the deluxe
interior red seat. |
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| The 20th
Precision Classic from CaseIH will be the Farmall MV. This is the
first Precision high crop from CaseIH. According to Guy Fay's book
"Originality Guide: Farmall Letter Series Tractors" the MV was a
high clearance version of the M. The MV was intended for specialized
crops, such as vegetables and sugar cane where the extra 10 27/32 inches
of crop clearance was necessary. |
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| In 1996 STEYR
Landmaschinentechnik AG was purchased by Case Corporation, one of the
leading tractor manufacturers worldwide, and renamed CASE STEYR
Landmaschinentechnik. Steyr is a leading tractor
producer in Europe and leads in tractor transmission technology.
STEYR CVT tractors are equipped with a highly advanced electronic network
to allow permanent communication between important components through a
continuous exchange of data. This system - the STEYR S-Tronic - uses a CAN
BUS to connect the engine, continuously variable transmission, EHR
(Electronic Draft Control), PTO, auxiliary control units and differential
lock as well as operator controls and the performance monitor.
Case-New Holland markets its North American built CaseIH Magnum in Austria
under the Steyr brand as a top end horsepower model in the Steyr
line. Ertl will offer a 1/16 Steyr MX 255 Magnum in the fall of 2003
with large single European style tires. |
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| The
new Case IH MXU Series Maxxum tractor line offers producers the
perfect blend of features and options for row-crop, loader and
general-purpose applications. Three models range from 80 to 105 PTO
horsepower. The new LX156 loader complements the MXU line with a
lift capacity of 3,700 pounds, breakout force of 5,400 pounds and maximum
lift height of 12 feet 3 inches. Ertl is offering two new 1/16 MXU
Maxxum replicas. A collectors edition MXU 125 with cab
windows, mirrors and SMV sign. A shelf edition MXU 125 will also be
available with a newly tooled decaled LX156 CaseIH loader. |
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CaseIH is celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Farmall 806 and 706 with
a boxed set of 1/16 replicas by Ertl. The 806 and 706 were a
big success for International Harvester. They were new models
from front to back. The tractors were released in 1963 and used
hydraulics to power systems such as the brakes and extras like front end
loaders. Both tractors offered the latest in tractor features, from
power steering to 540 and 1,000 rpm independent pto. The 706 offered
74 hp and the 806 was IH's big 6 bottom plow tractor at 86 hp.
Many 806 and 706 are still going strong in farm fields today. |
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John
Deere
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| Ertl
will soon release a 1/64 replica of the all new John Deere 7820.
This new model offers great detailing with row crop duals, gps and flood
lights on the cab. To learn more about the 7820 toy and other 7x20
toys visit www.toytractorshow.com/john_deere_7920.htm |
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The John
Deere 4010 HI-CROP is the 2003 National Farm Toy
Museum tractor. The 4010 is the museums second high crop collectors
tractor. The 2002 edition was an Allis-Chalmers D-19. To learn
more about the National Farm Toy Museum visit www.nftmonline.com |
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| An
all new 4020 is on the way to
John Deere dealers from Ertl. This 1/16 replica is a narrow front
model with canopy rops. This classic was introduced in
1963. The ROPS feature is an option not offered by Ertl since
their original new generation toy was offered in the 1960's. |
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| In
October John Deere dealers will start offering the all new 1/64 Sound-Gard
set by Ertl. This three piece historical set offers all new tooled John
Deere 4430, 4440 and 4450 models. The new 4440 is pictured here. One
nice new item on the set is newly styled 1/64 ag tires. To see the full
set click
here. |
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KINZE |
All three versions of the new KINZE 1050
Harvest Commander wagons will be available in October 2003. These highly
detailed all die-cast 1/64 models will also be produced in a 1 of
1000 Serial numbered gift set. The gift set along with each wagon will
be serialized. Also in addition to these 1/64 models will be an all new
1/16 Row Crop version due out around December 2003. The Sof-Tred and
Sof-Trak models will follow. Visit www.gottmantoys.com
for updates or check with the Kinze Dealer nearest you.
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New
Holland
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Ertl continues to roll out 1/32 farm toys. The latest from New
Holland is 1/32 9880 4wd. This 4wd traces its roots to the Ford/New
Holland Versatile line and was introduced to farmers in the early
1990's. This model offers clear windows and excellent tire
detail. In 1998 Ertl offered this casting as a 9882. Today the
Buhler-Versatile tractor line offers this model as a 4245 in the traditional
Versatile colors. |
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| The
latest 1/16 collectors edition from New Holland is the TS125A. This
model offers all the high feature details Ertl puts into a collectors
edition with opening hood, clear cab windows, mirrors and cab SMV
sign. |
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| The New Holland TS115A
is the shelf edition of the collectors TS125A. This model offers a
newly tooled New Holland loader with decals. |
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| Ertl's
next 1/64 New Holland implement is the ST740 Mulch-till Ripper. The
ST740 offers the benefits of tiger® point technology with up to 7-inch
wings for aggressive soil fracture, and a single set of disk gangs to
handle residue up front. The new 1/64 toy is due for release in the
Fall of 2003. |
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September
Question
And Answer by Bill Walters RC/Ertl Farm Toy Manager |
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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. |
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#1: September is a
time when farmers start thinking about planting small grains. What is the
out look for Ertl offering a modern 1/64 air drill? This has been a hot
topic since fall 2000 .
Answer #1: We
are making progress, please be patient. We have photographed and
measured the item we're replicating. When I have more information to
announce, I will let you know.
Question #2:
Ertl has offered many
classic 1/16 tractors from the 1970's in the past few years like the
Allis-Chalmers 7060, Case 970, Case 2590, International 986, and John Deere
4040. Would Ertl look at offering these or other 1/16 models from this era
with ROPS? Several of these models have unique ROPS that stand out .
Answer
#2: This
is something we will look at. I'm afraid that we would have to tool
ROPS for the units mentioned above. We just announced the JD
4020 with ROPS and believe we have another tractor in our 2004 with ROPS.
We will review our tooling bank and see what other models we could come out
with using existing tooling. If we have to tool new we're looking at
late 2004 or 2005 before anything would be available.
Question #3:
Is Ertl planning on being a regional player concentrating on the US market,
or, return to becoming a global player and have a greater 1/32 presence.
Siku is a top farm toy producer in Europe. What is Ertl's future policy?
Answer #3: I'm
glad Tellarian asked this question. I believe there is a misperception
between the sizes of the European farm toy market and the US market. I
can tell you that the US farm toy market is huge compared to Europe.
Ertl is the largest farm toy maker in the world. We are 4-5 times
larger than Siku, without including our sales of Britains product.
While the European market is mainly 1/32nd, the US market is mostly 1/16th
and 1/64th.. We are a global player and will continue to grow our
business in all scales... Siku is a good competitor and makes
good models. Our mission is to offer the best range of product at the
best price.
Question #4:
In 2001 you replied on a live chat here on TTS that the IH 2+2 was not on
their radar at the time. Is there a blip yet for 1/16 or 1/64?
Answer #4: We
are listening. Expect to see 2+2 replicas in 2004. Sorry I can't
tell you more at this time.
Question #5:
Several Toy makers in Europe offer 1/32 implements. With all of
the Ertl 4wds in 1/32 and now several new 2wds and combines will Ertl offer
1/32 implements to match in the near future?
Answer #5:
Yes. Please be patient.
Question #6:
Last year Ertl updated a 1/64 4wd and offered a new one. What is the out
look of updating the classic 1/64 combine line with a new model numbers on
current castings from John Deere and International or offering new models?
Answer #6: We
are working on this. Hopefully you will see some new units in
2004. We do not yet have approvals from the OEMs, but we do have
something planned.
Question #7: In
2002 Precision collectors were surprised by the release of the Precision
John Deere 8020 4wd. Can collectors expect to see future Precision 4wds
follow the 8020?
Answer #7: The
jury is still out on this... We are concerned about the cost of a
larger 4WD as a Precision, but if sales continue to be strong we will look
at follow on units. I would be interested to hear what unit
collectors would like to see next.
Question #8: What
is the out look for additional Precision implements in 2004/2005 or beyond?
Answer #8: We
are working hard to come up with some Precision implements. Implements only
sell at about a 75% level compared to a tractor, so it is hard for us to
justify tooling a implement. We'll do our best. Perhaps we
will work on implements that are attachments to tractors, they seem to have
done well.
Question #9:
Which scale offered by Ertl has the largest following? Do modern or vintage
pieces have a stronger following?
Answer #9: 1/16th
is our best selling scale in terms of dollar sales. Both modern and
vintage have strong followings and I don't see a big distinction in sales
between the two. We try to tool both modern and vintage very year, and
are pleased with the sales. Obviously JD has the largest following, with
vintage IH 2nd.
Question #10:
With The Toy Tractor Times offering an Allis-Chalmers 7030 in 2003 and Toy
Farmer offering the an Oliver 1950-T in 2002 does this mean we will see more
classic AGCO tractor brands in 1/16?
Answer #10: AGCO
has allowed our competitors to have their choice of vintage and modern AGCO
tractors. I do not believe we are their first choice for replicas.
The future of tooling additional AGCO replicas from Ertl is still up in the
air. |
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Feature New
Product of the Month
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Since the 1980's Ertl and Scale Models have been offering commemorative
farm toys for the large fall farm shows. In recent years these
toys have been labeled "Fall Farm Show Edition" offered by
OEM's are a number of the shows. Spec-Cast and Norscot have also offered
Fall Farm Show editions in the past few years. One of the
more collectible Fall Farm Show editions has become the Farm Show series
started by John Deere in 1999. This set includes a 1/16 1999 8310
and 1/64 8410, 2000 1/16 and 1/64 9300T, 2001 1/16 7510 and
1/64 9750 STS combine and 2002 1/16 6320 and 1/64 8420T.
AGCO, Caterpillar, CaseIH and New Holland also offer Fall Farm Show
editions. These models are only offered at the big farm shows and
can be found through many farm toy dealers at toy shows following the
big shows.
Scale
Models has several new items planned for the 2003 Fall Farm Shows.
The list includes: 1/8 scale JD 70, IH 706 wide front pedal toy, 1/16
Oliver 2255, 1/32 STEIGER 1000 series, 1/64 AGCO 9690, and a 1/16 and a
1/64 Challenger MT765 Track Tractors.
Ertl will offer the 5th in a series 2003 John Deere Farm Show 1/16 8320
and 1/64 7920, CaseIH will have a special 1/64 AFX 8010 and New Holland
will offer a 1/64 TG 255 with duals all around.
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Custom
John Deere 9650
by Andre Phillips
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| This one was a 9000 series turned into a 9650 conventional because people wanted
to see if one could be made. So I started thinking. I stripped the old model down. I used sheet brass for the curvy side panels smoothed over with JB Weld for single plastic look panels. I used Jeff Moore's ladder, auger, feederhouse, bin fill auger, and chopper kits. All handrails and mirror brackets are from .035" brass rod. I used 20.8-42 front tires and 28L-26 rears with rims I machined from aluminum stock. I painted with Deere OEM paint, made my own decals and got some from Mark Wikner. I fit the rear decal into a recess I made in the casting like the real one. I added all warning flashers and work lights to auger, grain tank, rear, and under cab, and added an exhaust pipe with raincap. I made a real rubber auger boot also and put a toolbox on the tailings elevator. I milled out the old trash screen cover and added brass rod for 50 series look radiator opening. I modified a 9750STS cab interior for the inside and made a back wall to cover the hole in the casting. I used the original cab and fit the new interior into it, and trimmed the windshield to fit the cab and used clear styrene for side windows. Capped it off with my own mirrors that do reflect, GPS receiver, antenna, and fire extinguisher. Corn head was a 12 row made into an 8 row 893, and added the high tin sides. You wouldn't believe the amount of work that went into this thing. Hope you like it.
To see Andre's custom 1/64 IH
1480, CaseIH 2188 and New Holland TR 99 combines visit
http://www.toytractorshow.com/andre_phillips.htm
Look for a full story on Andre's 1/64
9650 in the October 2003 Toy Tractor Times corn harvest issue. TTT
will show the construction of the 1/64 custom combine from start to
finish. Many hors of work went into the project and many thanks to
Andre for sharing it with the readers of TTS-Times.
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TTS-Times
Notes
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This month the Toy Tractor Times "Down on the Model Farm"
column gets a jump start on the corn harvest . TTT will show
1/64 collectors an easy and inexpensive way to build a realistic looking
corn field. The feature will show corn harvesting for
silage, sweet corn and shelled corn. In October part two of the
corn harvest series will look at 1/64 grain bin systems and matching a
system to the combines used on your display. The Toy Tractor
Times Magazine can be found at www.toytractortimes.com
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Get your display
ready for Fall with ToyTractorTimes.com
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