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The Top Toys of 2001
With over 15,000 posts on ToyTractorShow.com Toy Talk in
2001, collectors talked about a lot of toys this year. Below are the hottest
topics and toys that you talked about in 2001.
1/64 scale
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The Brent
1/64th Scale Avalanche 1084 Grain Cart
by Spec
Cast was an
early favorite of TTS collectors in 2001. These big grain carts finally
gave 1/64 collectors something to put their STX 440 Quad-Tracs and 9400Ts
to work. The 9750 STS with a 30ft platform or a 2388 with a 12 row
corn head has a good partner on any display with the 1084 tracked cart. |
| No other 1/64 toy set was talked about more in 2001 than Ertl's
new 1/64 John Deere 4000 set. No other question was posted on TTS Toy Talk
more than, "when is the 4000 set coming out?" Collectors hopped
to see the set in June, then September maybe October? The set finally
arrived in the second week of December. A very nice feature in the set is
that the castings of the 4010/4020/4320 are different from the 4620. This
set is a customizers dream come true. |
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The biggest surprise in 2001 was the 1/64 John
Deere John
Deere 2200 Field Cultivator from Ertl.
When the 1/64 John Deere 9400 was released in late 1996 collectors were
eager for big equipment to pull behind all those tires. The five year wait
was well worth it. The 2200 is the newest field cultivator from John
Deere. Measuring in a 42ft in real scale this model with front wheel
gauges will put the any 1/64 4wd to work. Red fans hope to see a red
version of this field cultivator for their new STX 450's in 2002. |
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1/64 fans were very pleased when Ertl
announced the 1/64 SPX 4260 sprayer in August. This big rig has 100ft
booms that are detailed with hoses and foam markers. The cab detail is
excellent in the SPX. The 1/64 SPX like its real counter part borrows its
cab from the STX Steiger. This is one of the most detailed 1/64 models
from Ertl
yet. |
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TTS collectors are still talking about Larry
Buhler's 1/64 80ft field cultivator. Moore's
Farm Toys was proud to have been chosen to cast these
FRIGGSTAD D-7-80 FIELD CULTIVATORS for Larry Buhler. Each model came
packaged with a certificate of authenticity . 1 of 150 , fully assembled,
and painted in Friggstad RED and GRAY paint scheme. This model could be
considered Precision 1/64 with it high detail features. Collectors
will be talking about this model for years to come. Moore's
Farm Toys Hill
Co and 16ft
Degelman Silage Blade may just make the Top Toys of 2002 list. |
| In the spring of 2001
Ertl
introduced a CaseIH MX 120 with fwa and a loader as well as a John Deere
7710 with fwa and duals with row crop spacing. These models were instant
hits. The 1/64 CaseIH MX 135, CaseIH MX 270 and new John
Deere 8420 tractors have also been released with spaced duals. TTS
collectors appreciated the tire change and the fwa/loader combination.
This was a long over due feature. TTS collectors hope Ertl will consider a
fwa tractor with a loader and duals with out front end weights. |
 
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Custom 1/64 Models
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John
Schomburg's 1/64 TJ 440 and 58ft DMI field cultivator with crumbler
takes top honors as TTS collectors favorite 1/64 custom model of 2001. The
realistic detail and size of the field cultivator is very impressive.
John's work can really make 1/64 fans dream. Equally impressive is
John's TJ 440. John created this TJ 440 from the Ertl STX 375 in May 2001
two months before New Holland revealed the TJ series. John's model came
very close to the mark, site unseen. John has many pieces of work
posted on TTS and each one is a collector favorite. |
| One of the most
popular 1/64 custom models talked about and sought by TTS Collectors is Gordy
Schultz's 16/31 row Kinze planter. This model features great
details like a spin transport option, moveable draw bar tongue and
inter-plants. This planter is one of the nicest on the market. |
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John
Schomburg's STX 375 Steiger "dream" 30th anniversary
edition and Dusty
Kirschmann's Stars and Stripes STX 440 are a Steiger
fan's dream come true. Both of these models were TTS favorites for their
creativity. |
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Adam
Suntken's is
built mostly from scratch. The frame is made from brass and is
articulated. I used a modified dump box from C&D Models, a raise
able feeder house from Moores, and a molded cab, tires and corn head from
a 9000 series JD. The box also raises up and dumps. TTS
collectors were very impressed with all the detail and features on this
big picker.
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Jason
Jeffers Titan Turbo 8820 is a great looking model. It is
a TTS collector favorite not only because it is a popular John Deere
combine but because the entire model is hand crafted from wood. The detail
is excellent on Jason's wooden combines. He adds the under frame detail
with the shoe and grain return. Jason has made Titans with rwa, straw
choppers, trash whippers and duals. His models are hardy toys with play
value and quality detail including ladders and hand rails. Look for more
interesting projects from Jason in 2002. |
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1/32 Scale
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Steiger
went blue in 2001. New Holland replaced the 84 series Versatile
line with a 4wd for the 21st century. Scale
Models produced a 1/16, 1/32 and 1/64 TJ 375 for to promote the
new TJ series at the Farm Progress Show. One of the best looking
models from Scale Models to date is the 1/32 TJ 375. This models has good
looking triple tires and a warning light bar on the rear that expands over
the tires. Inside the open cab is a detailed console and seat that sets
this model apart from many 1/32 model 4wds. |
| A long awaited model for Allis-Chalmers fans was the AC440
4wd. In October 2001 the wait was over when the Toy
Farmer Magazine released its 5th 1/32 Steiger made by Ertl.
This mid 1970's orange power house is well represented in the 1/32
scale. The 1/32 AC440 is the later orange cab version. The 4wd has
nice detail with front and rear flood lights , silver rain caps on the
twin smoke stacks and a windowed cab with a detailed interior. The Super
Wildcat II in April 2002 should prove to be an equally popular
1/32 4wd. |
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Precision Series
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Many TTS collectors posted about the latest
Precision Classic from AGCO in 2001. The D-17 Precision Series
Tractor w/ New Idea Mounted Corn Picker is the nicest looking Precision
Classic from Ertl
yet. A New Idea corn picker has been a long time in coming. Collectors
were pleased to find the picker mounted on the popular D-17. No doubt,
this shiny silver corn husker will also find a home on a Farmall M or John
Deere 4020 once customizers get a hold of it. Look for a red model
to be the next AGCO Precision Classic in 2002. |
| A close second in popularity on TTS was the Precision
Classic 720 gas John Deere with loader and #18 blade. Ertl
winterized this classic Deere with tire chains and platform shield and
tarp. The detail is very precise to say the least. Collectors hope Ertl
will consider producing a model R manure spreader to team up with this A+
model. Loading manure on cold winter days is a found memory of
years past on a 720 for many green fans if they are sitting in a new 7810
with a heater. Look for even bigger and better Precision Classics from
John Deere in 2002. |
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TTS collectors were pleased when Ertl
expended the John Deere Precision line in 2001 to lawn tractors.
The John Deere 110 lawn mower changed the face of lawn care in America.
The 110 with its 38" rotary mower established Deere in the consumer
product field. This popular lawn tractor was released as the first
Precision Classic lawn mower. The detail is incredible on this model. With
a titling hood, detailed Kohler motor, mowing deck and dumping utility
cart the 110 looks almost good enough to mow your lawn. Maybe the 4
color suburban
140 set, popular 318 or big 855 will become Lawn and
Garden Precision models in the future. Who knows, TTS collectors may see a
Cub Cadet or two as well? |
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1/16 scale
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The 1/16 scale John
Deere 45 combine was the most favorite model of TTS collectors
in 2002. This model marks Ertl's
first 1/16 combine. The 45 is part of the Prestige line of toys. It
is not a 1/16 shelf model but not quite a Precision model.
Collectors like this model for its realistic look completed with hand
rails, belts and pulleys. It will be interesting to see which Prestige
models Ertl
unveils in 2002. |
| Oliver is a true classic. Collectors have enjoyed Ertl's
releases with Hiniker cabs over the past two years. There are even two
Hinker cab models in 1/64 now. The Oliver 1655 with Hinker cab hit a
home run with TTS collectors. |
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Maybe because it is a big 4wd? Maybe it is because of its
sleek look and its tough tracks? The STX 375 was a top pick
with TTS collectors. Ertl
has included some nice extra's on the STX 375. The engine is fully
serviceable, the cab has hand rails leading up to it and the tracks roll
through anything. The 1/16 STX 450 Quad-Trac will replace the 375 in the Ertl
lineup in 2002. |
| The 1/16 John
Deere 4520 served as the 2001 National Farm Toy Show Tractor. This model
was selected by the Toy
Farmer Magazine because Claire Scheibe the magazines
founder had used one on his farm. Collectors were surprised at the high
detail of the 4520. The cab has working levers inside and an over all good
look. Inside the 4520 box collectors found a gold commemorative
coin. This model, only 2 months after the National Show is selling
for $125 at toy shows and on e-bay. It is sure to be a collector favorite
for years to come. |
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Massey
Ferguson tractors are popular through out the world. The Stars
and Stripes Massey Ferguson was the 2000 National Toy Show tractor. TTS
collectors were glad to learn in June 2001 that Ertl
would be re-release this 1970's favorite in traditional MF colors
as well. The 1155 goes back to the days of plain and solid row crop
tractors and that makes it a popular classic with collectors. |
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Ertl
has offered a Farmall C and A which were popular small row crop
farm tractors from International Harvester. TTS collectors were excited in
August when Ertl
announced the company would offer a model B. The Model B is a classic that
fit in well on small farms during the early 1940's with its offset drivers
seat and steering wheel. Farmers could easily see the row ahead of them
during cultivating. The B has been on red collectors wish lists for years.
In 2002 IH celebrates 100 years as a brand name. Ertl will bring back two
Farmalls , the 1206 and the last "Farmall" 5488 in order to
celebrate the centennial of Red Power. |
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Custom 1/16 Models
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This model 2670 tractor was Don
Campell's first hand-built tractor, it was built for Arden
Dean. This 7 bottom plow was built to hook behind the 2670 model. This
Case 4wd had TTS collectors oohing and ahing. The 4wd and plow are completely
scratch built from steel. Each plow blade was hand crafted. It
is one of the best looking tractors ever built. We are sure to see more
great projects from Don
Campell.
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| Joe
Casida's 5020 has
super detail with a
muffler and intake pipe, battery boxes, cab mounts, steps, three point,
pto, light mounts, steering cylinders and tie rods are all hand made from
brass and aluminum. Weights and cab were added as well as full detail to
the cab. TTS collectors could almost hear the prrr of the engine on this
custom model. |
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James
Fernow's JD 4640 was another
popular 1/16 custom model on TTS. James added heavy offset rear
rims, 20.8-38 Firestone tires, extended axels, dual hubs, heavy 3 pt hitch
with coupler, rear fender warning lights, cab warning lights, front fender
working field lights, rear working field light, balloon tires, front suit
case weights, fuel and water caps. |
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Philip
Fullerton's 1/16 scale Hay Wagon with fully functioning running
gear was built by his grandfather. The structure of the wagon was hand
crafted to look just like the real one. Not only is this wagon Precision
quality but has plenty of hardy play value. |
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