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Welcome to Toy Tractorshow.com's news page. Check in weekly to learn about the newest toys on the market, tractor history, TTS updates and to see custom models and displays.
January 2002
January 27-February 03: The new look for TTS is on the way.  On February 10th TTS will under go some remodeling.  During this time a new back ground and format designed by Nicole Heath  will be uploaded giving TTS a fresh and sleek new look. During this time the TTS New and other updates will not be available for a period of two weeks. TTS's appreciates your patients during the remodeling. TTS Toy Talk will remain in full operation during this time. For a sneak peek at TTS's future look go to  http://www.expressodesigns.com/toytractorshow/main.html.  Remember that ToyTractorShow.com's next Live Chat is with David Ruppel Owner of C&D Models on Tuesday February 5, 2002 at 8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. CT. This chat will be used to discus 1/64 models only. C&D Models has an all new product line and this your chance to ask about current models and give your input on future models.  E-mail your 1/64  questions for Mr. Ruppel to Jason Hasert at toytractorshow@hotmail.com. Please title your e-mail C&D Model's chat question and only e-mail it to the above address as it may be missed at the webmaster account. On the night of the chat only Jason Hasert will post the e-mailed questions, everyone else may watch but not post unless asked to. It is important to follow these guide lines in order to have a successful live chat.   Make sure to check Don Campbell's  website www.doncampbellmodels.com  for the last set of grain cart  patterns.  Next week the  construction part of the class begins. Don will also be contributing model building tips to the Toy Farmer Magazine in a monthly column. Make sure to take the TTS Poll and choose which Steiger 4wd series you would like see as a 1/16 Precision Classic 4wd.  You can choose the Series I, Series II, Series III, 1000 Series or Case International 9100 series.  The December Tractors, Plows and Harvesters of the Past article is by Blaine Griggs entitled  "The Story of an IH 856 Puller".  The AGCO MT700 Challenger  history page has been updated with new  yellow AGCO Challenger prototypes.  The TTS Ford/New Holland and White Brand History main pages have been updated  for easier navigation with an equipment buyers guide look.  New to the Ford/New Holland combine section is the New Holland 985 combine and the TR 70 combine.  New to the White equipment section is New Idea Super Pull Type Corn Pickers . The John Deere equipment section has a new addition this week with the mounted 237 picker. New in TTS Custom Toys is Adam Heinbuch super sized slurry store. This is a must see 1/64 scale project. Jon Sampson is staying busy this winter, make sure to see his custom John Deere 4620 all set up for spring plowing. Adam Suntken customized his Brent grain cart with fabricated diamond tread tires.  Soenke Morbach of Germany has sent in a new 1/32 beat harvester. Soenke  will contribute more 1/32 projects with a European flare in coming weeks.  Lee Potts has constructed two highly detailed John Deere loader tractors complete with silage grapples.  In New Toys  news Siku will produce a 1/32 scale model of the John Deere  6920 for release in 2002.   John Deere dealers should have the  1/16th 8520 Collector's Edition and 1/16 4620 Collectors Edition  in a few weeks.  The Toy Farmer Magazine will have  "1st-shots" of the 1/32 16V-747 4wd to display at upcoming shows, such as St Louis Toy Show.  This is a true actual die cast metal model that is representative of the tractors that will be built.  Collectors can request the 16V-747 models or place an order directly by calling the Toy Farmer office toll-free at 1-800-533-8293.  For those of you interested in how government influences farming visit The Atlantic Firm weekly ToyTractorShow.com AG update by going to http://theatlanticfirm.com/id43.htm.  The feature tractor of the week is the Kinze 640 “Big Blue” 4wd.  The feature link of the week is  http://www.agritoy_lcn/
January 20-January 26:The John Deere, International Harvester, J.I. Case and Allis-Chalmers Brand History main pages have been updated  for easier navigation with an equipment buyers guide look.  It is TTS's hope that when you need a horse power rating, production date or if you just want to look at the real or toy history of a model you will turn to these sections first.  Hopefully by this time next week collectors will begin seeing the new background that Nicole Heath has designed for TTS. The new look and format  will give TTS a fresh look as it nears its second anniversary.  For those of you signed up for the 1/32 Grain Cart Class make sure to check Don Campbell's  website www.doncampbellmodels.com  for the grain cart gearbox, inside auger, auger shield , frame side rails patterns.  Next Monday will mark the last installment of patterns and then we will proceed to build the grain cart model. Don would like to remind everyone this project is just for fun, do not be concerned if your project does not turn out well. We all have to start somewhere. Each project will get better. The person who wins the free grain cart will not be determined by  the quality of the work . All the names will be put in a (JD hat) and the winner will be picked that way to make it fun for everyone to have a chance at winning it. Whether your 5 years old or 75 years old, you will all have a chance at winning.  Don and TTS thank the over 100 people involved , you are making this first on-line custom farm model class a success and fun.  If you have questions about the project feel free to post them on Toy Talk.  SoCalDeere is the newest featured collector on TTS. SoCalDeere has a nice 1/64 Collection and is TTS’s first collector from California.  New in TTS Custom Toys is Jason Jeffers'  scratch built a 1/64 International Loadstar that actually dumps and that is available in single and tandem axel. Gordy Schultz is expanding his custom hay line in 2002 with a 1/64 New Holland FX 58 self-propelled forage harvester. Gordy built this chopper with 3 different size hay heads to fit 1/64 farm display needs and a 6 row corn head.  Watch for more interesting self-propelled hay and forage equipment from Gordy Schultz in the coming weeks.  Hoot has customized a 1/16 open station 4430 John Deere.  Josh Raut has customized several nice 1/64 4wds. Brad McPherson's 1/64 hipper, vertical fold planter and scapper pans are now posted for 1/64 cotton equipment fans to view.  Also visit   Josh Raut has customized several nice 1/64 4wds. Brad McPherson's 1/64 hipper, vertical fold planter and scapper pans are now posted for 1/64 cotton equipment fans to view.  Also visit   Josh Raut has customized several nice 1/64 4wds. Brad McPherson's 1/64 hipper, vertical fold planter and scapper pans are now posted for 1/64 cotton equipment fans to view.  Also visit T & T Toys Display Pictures and Joe in CT Photo Collection.  TTS welcomes Robert Turk  as its newest sponsor on the Ford New Holland section.  In New Toys  news C&D Models has pictures of their Series I Versatile 4wds on their website at www.cdmodels.com.  These models are the first models C&D has offered on a blister card.  C&D has also has another first with this line. C&D is the first 1/64 farm model producer to offer an entire series of 4wds from the low end model to the high horse power model.  With only 1,205 models of each tractor available these should prove to be highly collectable models in the future.  C&D also announced this week that is will release a 43’ and 72’5 foot field cultivator set available with a packer or crumbler. For those of collectors interested in a close up look at the new 1/64 John Deere 8420 visit the 20 series page. New to the J.I. Case brand history section is the 1200 Traction King 4wd.  For those of you interested in how government influences farming visit The Atlantic Firm weekly ToyTractorShow.com AG update by going to http://theatlanticfirm.com/id43.htm.  The feature tractor of the week is the Case 2670 4wd.  The feature link of the week is  http://www.toyfarmer.com/.  Josh Raut has customized several nice 1/64 4wds. Brad McPherson's 1/64 hipper, vertical fold planter and scapper pans are now posted for 1/64 cotton equipment fans to view.  Also visit T & T Toys Display Pictures and Joe in CT Photo Collection.  TTS welcomes Robert Turk  as its newest sponsor on the Ford New Holland section.  In New Toys  news C&D Models has pictures of their Series I Versatile 4wds on their website at www.cdmodels.com.  These models are the first models C&D has offered on a blister card.  C&D has also has another first with this line. C&D is the first 1/64 farm model producer to offer an entire series of 4wds from the low end model to the high horse power model.  With only 1,205 models of each tractor available these should prove to be highly collectable models in the future.  C&D also announced this week that is will release a 43’ and 72’5 foot field cultivator set available with a packer or crumbler. For those of collectors interested in a close up look at the new 1/64 John Deere 8420 visit the 20 series page. New to the J.I. Case brand history section is the 1200 Traction King 4wd.  For those of you interested in how government influences farming visit The Atlantic Firm weekly ToyTractorShow.com AG update by going to http://theatlanticfirm.com/id43.htm.  The feature tractor of the week is the Case 2670 4wd.  The feature link of the week is  http://www.toyfarmer.com/.
January 13-January 19: A Transcript from        ToyTractorShow.com's  Toy Talk's Live Chat on Tuesday January 08, 2002  8:00 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. CT Question and Answer Night with Jeff Moore Owner of Moore's Toys can be read by clicking on the Toy Talk navigation button.  Thank you for your interest in TTS's live chats with the top model makers in the replica industry.  ToyTractorShow.com's next Live Chat is with David Ruppel Owner of C&D Models Tuesday February 5, 2002 at 8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. CT.   Don Campbell's  website's name has changed its name from http://www.expressodesigns.com  to http://www.doncampbellmodels.com.  Remember to check Don's site each Monday for the latest steps in the 1/32 grain cart project. TTS welcomes Toy Farmin'  as a new advertiser on the TTS Toy Show.  Note Gordy Schultz has a new e-mail address at tfarmin@lyonl.com. The 4568 4wd and the IH 10 Grain Drill are new to the IH TTS Brand History pages.  New to Custom Toys is Brad McPherson's Crustbuster boll buggy.  Caleb Stone has scratch built a very nice 1/64 30ft folding John Deere 455 drill. Dave Tallon has sent in customized 1/16 Massey Harris 44 Special. Davide  sent in his 1/16 scale hay tedder built from brass.  Josh Raut has submitted two custom toy tips to the new General Custom Tips page.  In New Toys  news C&D Models began shipping its first run of 1/64 Versatile Series I 4wds to dealers this week.  These models are packaged in a blister card and are the first in a Classic Versatile series.  For those of you interested in how government influences farming visit The Atlantic Firm weekly ToyTractorShow.com AG update by going to http://theatlanticfirm.com/id43.htm.  The feature tractor of the week is Ford Toy Tractors.  The feature link of the week is http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/masseyfergusontractors.
January 01-January 12:  Happy New Year.  ToyTractorShow.com's next Live Chat is with Jeff Moore, owner of Moore's Toys is this Tuesday January 8, 2002 at 8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. CT. This chat will be used to discus 1/64 models only.  E-mail your 1/64 Farm Toy and Parts questions for Mr. Moore to Jason Hasert at toytractorshow@hotmail.com. Please title your e-mail Moore's chat question and only e-mail it to the above address as it may be missed at the webmaster account. On the night of the chat only Jason Hasert will post the e-mailed questions, everyone else may watch but not post unless asked to. It is important to follow these guide lines in order to have a successful live chat.   The live chat's transcript will be posted on Toy Talk shortly after the chat with Mr. Moore. For those of you not familiar with TTS Chat, when you are on ToyTractorShow's Toy Talk across the tool bar you will see Post Message, Find, Reload, Overview, Previous, Chat, Archive, Register , Login, My Forum. Go to Register and register your name and click back to forum. Then go to the Chat icon on the tool bar and you should all set.  Later this month Nicole Heath, Don Campell's daughter will work with TTS founder and owner Jason Hasert to give the site a fresh look for 2002.  Nicole created and maintains http://www.expressodesigns.com/minimachine/toy_building.shtml.   It is time to see if we can all build a grain cart over the internet. To start Don Campbell's  on-line model project everyone will need to make the 1/32nd pattern first .  Every one can do their your own math to scale the cart down to 1/64th or up to 1/16th scale if they choose.  Don Campbell  has posted the grain cart frame pattern at http://www.expressodesigns.com/minimachine/graincartpatterns.shtml .  After we all get the frame and axle step done, we will move on to the box . Don Campbell will post new project information on TTS Toy Talk each Monday.  This week Don will post the box pattern. 71 people have registered for Don's custom toy class. The class is free but 75 people need to sign up in order for Don to award a prize of his 1/32 steel Kil-Bros cart to one lucky builder.  If you have not registered yet go to http://www.expressodesigns.com. Make sure to take the TTS Poll and choose which Case 4wd you would like see as a 1/16 Precision Classic 4wd.  You can choose either the 1200, 1470, 2670, 4690 or 4994.  Jason Weaver is a new TTS sponsor. Jason is the new sponsor of the Case History page.  TTS welcomes Jason Jeffers as a new advertiser on the TTS Toy Show.   You can put your farm toy business in front of hundreds of collectors daily on TTS for less than $10 per-month. If you are interested in becoming a TTS sponsor or advertising on the TTS Toy Show contact Jason Hasert at Webmaster@toytractorshow.com.  Starting on January 07, 2002 TTS is instituting a new policy regarding posting custom toy projects on Custom Toys. Please e-mail your projects to Jason Hasert at Webmaster@toytractorshow.com on Mondays and Tuesdays to have them posted in the TTS weekly news.  These are the only days projects will be accepted for posting.  Due to the over whelming interest in the Custom Toys page it is impossible to continue to post new projects daily.  New to Custom Toys is a tip on removing 1/64 tires at Tire Removal.  Brian Sharp has customized a nice looking John Deere 4010  with a mounted picker. TNTom has built one of the nicest 1/64 custom models TTS collectors have seen in a long time.  Tom built a 1/64 KBH Big12 module builder and KBH Mule Boy boll buggy.  Cotton equipment in 1/64 scale has been one of the most items on TTS live chats with toy manufacturers.  Trevor Searle sent in a nice custom culti-mulcher on a Massey Ferguson 8280. Custom Kid has modified a JD fail chopper and 1560  drill.  Kevin Briesch has scratch built an outstanding Pik-Rite tomato harvester and a trailer bed to support it. Jeremy Noble is building a 1/16 scale Ag-Chem 1254 Row Gator.  In New Toys  news  CaseIH dealers will carry a Case  970 Golden Demonstrator in June 2002.  Corgi will release a 1/50 scale IH 4166 in 2002.  For those of you interested in how government influences farming visit The Atlantic Firm weekly ToyTractorShow.com AG update by going to theatlanticfirm.com. The feature tractor of the week is the Steiger Puma 1000. This week TTS would like to feature John Deere's, CNH's, CaseIH's and New Holland's new websites for 2002 at http://www.deere.com/, http://cnh.com/, http://www.caseih.com/ and www.newholland.com respectively. Remember you can reach each corporate website on TTS's brand history pages by clicking on their logo's in the right hand corner.  TTS readers extend their sympathies to the family and friends of  AGCO CEO and President John Shumejda and Ed Swingle Sr. VP of Sales who passed away after the tragic crash of the company's corporate plane on January 04, 2002.

 
December 2001
December 23-Decomber 31:   Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Thank you for all of your interest and support in 2001. TTS had over 100,000 visitors and 15,000 posts on Toy Talk.  TTS plans to keep up with your hobby interest in 2002 with a new look and features.  ToyTractorShow.com's next Live Chat is with Jeff Moore Owner of Moore's Toys Tuesday January 8, 2002 at 8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. CT. This chat will be used to discus 1/64 models only.  E-mail your 1/64 Farm Toy and Parts questions for Mr. Moore to Jason Hasert at toytractorshow@hotmail.com. Please title your e-mail Moore's chat question and only e-mail it to the above address as it may be missed at the webmaster account. Don Campbell  will be starting free toy building classes to help everyone enjoy the hobby more. Also to help you get the basics so you can build your own toys that no one else makes or are to rare and expensive to buy.  The first project will begin in mid-January 2002. Collectors will learn how to build a 1/32 scale grain cart from scratch. If 75 people to sign up for this first project, Don Campbell will draw a name out of a hat next year of the 75 or more people who sign up to try the project, and Mr. Cambell  will donate one of his hand-built models to that lucky builder. In order to be considered for the cart prize register at http://www.expressodesigns.com/minimachine/form.shtml. Make sure to take the TTS Poll and choose which Case 4wd you would like see as a 1/16 Precision Classic 4wd.  You can choose either the 1200, 1470, 2670, 4690 or 4994.  AGCO shocked the machinery world this week when it announced it had acquired Caterpillars new MT Challenger tractor line. TTS has added the AGCO MT700 Challenger to it history pages.  If you like AGCO  you can now talk with other AGCO fans at http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/agco.  New to Custom Toys is Justin Van Westen's  weathered John Deere 4320, custom CaseIH MX 270 and John Deere 8410T.  Jason Saffert has three top notch projects as well.  The main feature of the last edition of 2001's TTS news is Top 2001 Toys . Top 2001 Toys  reviews the most talked about farm toys on TTS Toy Talk in 2001. With over 15,000 posts on toy tractors since February 15, 2001, collectors talked about allot of models this year.  The Top Toys  page features the most popular 1/64, 1/32, 1/16 and custom toys of 2001.  It is fun looking back at what everyone was excited about through out the year.  In New Toys  news the 1/64 8420 with front and rear duals is  arrived at John Deere dealers this week. John Deere fans can still purchase the 2001 Toy Tractor Times 4040 with fwa/duals at http://www.thetoytractortimes.4t.com. The year 2002 should prove to be an exciting year for toys.  CaseIH will release a 1/64 STX 450 with tires and tracks, 1/16 STX 450 with tires and tracks and the CaseIH The New Generation Set: Chrome tank SPX 4260, STX Steiger 425 tire and Quadtrac, MX Maxxum 135 fwa/row crop duals and MX Magnum 270 fwa/spacer duals.  New Holland is set to unveil a 1/16 TM 150, 1/16 Ford 961,  Pedal  Tractor TJ 450, and Rotary Mower. AGCO will release updated decal  versions of the 1/64 Terra-Gator 8103 and Row-Gator 1254.   For those of you interested in how government influences farming visit The Atlantic Firm weekly ToyTractorShow.com AG update by going to http://theatlanticfirm.com/id43.htm. The feature tractor of the week is the Massey Ferguson 8280.  The feature link of the week is  http://www.rungreen.com.
December 16-Decomber 22:  Remember to support your local  Toys for Tots this Christmas season. This is the last week to drop of toys before they need to be delivered. The big news of the week is Don Campbell's offer to lead an on-line class on how to build a 1/32 scale grain cart. TTS in conjunction Don's site expressodesigns.com will promote the class. Here on TTS you can read Don's introductory letter and follow the project at Don Campbell Projects.  The project supplies and steps will be listed on expressodesigns.com and TTS beginning in mid-January.  This will be a fun project for all involved. Don's class will be archived on TTS with pictures and drawings just like our live chats. Later this week you will be able to register for the free building class at http://www.expressodesigns.com .  You can now view all 13 National Farm Toy Show displays at NFTS Displays 01'. New to Custom Toys displays this week is Gordy Schultz Display  .  This is one of the best displays sent to TTS yet. Gordy's display is a classic, built and displayed from 1987-1989.  This display was made back in the days when if you wanted a barn or implement in 1/64 you had to make it. Donald Gill has created a nice line up of hay equipment including a high detail John Deere 6910 chopper, Vermeer round bale wrapper, self propelled John Deere baler and more.    David McCormack   shares a tip on how to add re-moveable duals to an IH 5088.  TTS's newest addition to the Featured Collectors section is Mike. Mike collects all brands and scales of 4wds. The December Tractors, Plows and Harvesters of the Past article is by Jason Hasert entitled  Blue Steigers: Then and Now Part II  which follows up Jim Schroer's November article  Blue Steigers: Then and Now.  In New Toys  news the 1/64 IH 856 with Hiniker cab and the three piece IH 06' series set began arriving at CaseIH dealers last week. The 1/64 8420 with front and rear duals is expected to arrive at John Deere dealers this week.  For those of you interested in how government influences farming visit The Atlantic Firm weekly ToyTractorShow.com AG update by going to http://theatlanticfirm.com/id43.htm.  The feature tractor of the week is the Case 2590. The feature link of the week is  http://www.trekkershop.htm.
December 09-Decomber 15: Remember to support  Toys for Tots this Christmas season. This weeks Live Chat with Bill Walters from RC/ERTL on 1/16 scale models was a great success. The big news of the night was the announcement that the 18th CaseIH Precision Classic will be the early style 1466. You can read the full transcript of Tuesday's chat on the Toy Talk page.  Make sure to visit the revised TTS Links page.  The page has been re-organized for easier use.  This week marks TTS's last installment of the National Farm Toy Shows Display Contest entree's. Ernest Oberhelman's  display placed first with his working 1930's homestead in North Central Kansas. Jacki Klawonn's  4th place display    was very unique in that it is an exact copy of her son Jonathan's  display 30 years later, representing a modern 1,200 acre Illinois farm. Jonathan Klawonn 8th place display  represents a 1960's Illinois farm and landscape in the 1960's. Chris Burmeister 7th place display  is a 1/16 1960's farm using Minneapolis-Moline tractors and equipment. Drew Boals 12th place display is an excellent representation of 1/16 IH toys. Every 2001 display was well done and worthy of a National honor. You can view all 13 displays at NFTS Displays 01'. There are several additions to Custom Toys this week.   Josh Raut has customized two nice 4wds and sent in a few other projects. Scott Mitchell  has customized a high side grain trailer and a jeep for his display. Joe Casida is working on a wide front Precision John Deere 730 with spaced duals.  Jason Jeffers   has been busy building grapple silage loaders and detailing John Deere round balers. Look for more exciting projects from Jason soon. Don Cambell shares a great custom tip this week on Weathered Tires. Mark Megan  has constructed a large farm display complete with a tractor dealership and large corn field. In New Toys  news look for a 1/16 scale  25th ANNIVERSARY AXIAL FLOW COMBINE  COLLECTOR TOY from Scale Models in March 2002. In March 2002, Scale Models is also set to launch the largest pedal tractor ever massed produced with a pedal replica of the CaseIH Steiger STX 450. Could we see a New Holland TJ 450 as a pedal tractor in 2002 too? The new 1/64 MX 270 with spaced duals began arriving at CaseIH dealers this week. The McCormick name on a tractor line is coming back to the U.S.  Vermeer announced this week it would carry the new tractor line through its dealership net work. Will me see McCormick toys in the next year? For those of you interested in how government influences farming visit The Atlantic Firm weekly ToyTractorShow.com AG update by going to http://theatlanticfirm.com/id43.htm. The feature tractor of the week is the Case International 4994.  The feature link of the week is http://www.budwallfarmtoys.com.
December 02-Decomber 08: Bill Walters from RC/ERTL will take part in his fifth collectors chat here on TTS this Tuesday December 04th at 8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. CT. This live chat will focus only on 1/16 Farm Toy and Model questions only. This chat will differ from previous TTS chats. TTS owner Jason Hasert will post collectors questions rather than keeping a list of questioners. E-mail your 1/16 Farm Toy questions  for Mr. Walters to Jason at toytractorshow@hotmail.com. Please title your e-mail ERTL chat question and only e-mail it to the above address as it may be missed at the webmaster account. Make sure to take  the TTS Poll and choose from the John Deere 8010, 8020, WA-14, WA-17 and 7520 before the chat.  For those of you not familiar with TTS Chat, when you are on ToyTractorShow's Toy Talk across the tool bar you will see Post Message, Find, Reload, Overview, Previous, Chat, Archive, Register , Login, My Forum. Go to Register and register your name and click back to forum. Then go to the Chat icon on the tool bar and you should all set. There are several additions to Custom Toys this week. DJ at Heavy Ground Farms  has followed up his beet display with a 24 row hand built white bean John Deere planter. Don Campbell sent in pictures of some very impressive 1-2 Scale 4wds. Philip Fullerton  sent in pictures of a highly detailed bale wagon built by his grandfather that he played with as a child and still remains a prize piece in his collection. Zeb Mueller has created 4 nice H&S forage wagons and a John Deere 8870 with a silage blade. Brandon Casebier  has one new picture of his display.  Kade Nice is ready to do some serious disking with his newly crafted 44 1/2 foot Summers Diamond Disk. This weeks National Farm Toy Show displays are runner up Richard Morgan's 1/64 diary  farm  and Sally Morgan's Country Fair. In New Toys  news the long awaited  4 piece John Deere 4000 set has arrived at John Deere dealers . It is one of the nicest historical sets Ertl has put out to date. The 4010/4020 frames are smaller than the 4620 in the set.  The  1/64 4020 w/ Hiniker Cab  is also at dealers now. Ertl has finally ventured into the 1/16 scale combine market with its new  John Deere Prestige model 45 combine. The new combine is on dealers shelves just in time for Christmas. In Brand History News visit TTS's new CNH page which features the new New Holland TG series better known as the "Blue Magnum, the MX Maxxum replacement called the MXM and the C series replacement called the JX.  For those of you interested in how government influences farming visit The Atlantic Firm weekly ToyTractorShow.com AG update by going to http://theatlanticfirm.com/id43.htm. The feature tractor of the week is the International Harvester 7788.  The feature link of the week is Precision Engineering at http://toytractor.com. Precision Engineering  builds highly detailed 1/16 4wds like the  IH 4300. 

 
November 2001
November 26-December 01: TTS encourages its readers to donate to Toys for Tots this Christmas season. Each of us endeavors through out the year to build our farm toy collections. During the holiday season set a small part of your toy budget to help out less fortunate children in your area by donating to your local Toys for Tots program. You can learn more about the Marine Corps. charity at http://www.toysfortots.org . ToyTractorShow.com's next Live Chat with RC/ERTL Farm Toy Product Manager Bill Walters is this Tuesday December 04th at 8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. CT. This live chat will focus only on 1/16 Farm Toy and Model Questions. Other chat details will be announced  in next weeks TTS News. In conjunction with the next ERTL  Live Chat TTS is running a poll asking if ERTL  was to produce a 1/16 scale  classic 4wd which would you prefer. Take the TTS Poll and choose from the John Deere 8010, 8020, WA-14, WA-17 and 7520.  Our last chat with Bill Walters on November 20th can be read on the Toy Talk Page. There are several additions to Custom Toys this week. Dusty Kirschmann has created an outstanding STX Steiger by painting the Ertl STX 375 in the Stars and Stripes. Mark Brodner has sent in his cattle/grain farm display. It has nice detail touches. Don Campbell has been busy trying his hand at the 1/32 scale in steel. Don has built his first 1/32 model which is a Killbros grain cart. It looks pretty sharp on the precision Classic John Deere 8400. Murray is ready to tackle his display acres with his custom green machines. Murray has built a pull type John Deere 9501 combine, 8410 tractor with triple rear tires/front duals and an 8010 series John Deere with a loader. This week TTS continues its National Farm Toy Show display review with Jason Schultz, Brad Mortimer and Keith Mortimer's displays.  In New Toys  news now that most of the 2001 toys are out  we will look at what is in the rumor mill for new toys in 2002. Most likely we will see a new classic 4wd in 1/64 like Case TK 1470 that came out in 1997.  Leading candidate models are a 1/64 John Deere 7520 and an IH 4166. Of course it will probably be something completely different.  It looks like ERTL  may follow the 1/64 John Deere 4000 series set  set in 2002 with a 40 series set.  The John Deere 7020 series will arrive in 2002 and no doubt bring along some new 1/16 and 1/64 models. Another interesting item we may see in 2002 is a 1/16 IH Prestige 03 Series Combine. The next generation Magnum, the Maxxum replacement MXM based from the New Holland TM and the CNH common platform New Holland Genesis replacement the TG should be at fall farm shows in 2002. These new CNH models from 90hp to 2xx hp should bring a wide array of new toy models. Could we see a 1/32 Precession Classic TJ 450 or a 1/64 New Holland CR combine by Christmas 2002? The next AGCO Precision Classic  is rumored to be a Massey Ferguson or Massey Harris.  For those of you who collect  literature  John Deere dealers have the new 9020 and 8020 brochures in stock. Stop by your local AGCO dealer to pick up the new AGCO DT/RT series literature.  The feature tractor of the week is the John Deere 8400. The feature link of the week is Mark Megan's display and custom farm toy photo album at http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/mem988/.
November 18-November 24:  ToyTractorShow.com's next Live Chat is with RC/ERTL Farm Toy Product Manager Bill Walters is this Tuesday November 20th at 8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. CT. For those of you not familiar with TTS Chat, when you are on ToyTractorShow's Toy Talk across the tool bar you will see Post Message, Find, Reload, Overview, Previous, Chat, Archive, Register , Login, My Forum. Go to Register and register your name and click back to forum. Then go to the Chat icon on the tool bar and you should all set. On the night of the chat Jason Hasert will serve as the moderator keeping a list of posters so that each person may ask their question one at a time. A full transcript of the chat will be posted on the Toy Talk page on November 26th. TTS's hit counter reached the one year mark this week with 85,000 visitors. Over the next three weeks TTS will review of the 13 entrees in National Farm Toy Show Displays. First up is Adam Suntken 1/64 Grain Depot , which placed third in the contest. Jason Skillen's 1/16 IH toy history  placed 5th.  Jon Sampson 1/64  Iowa Family Farm  Display  placed 6th. There are several additions to Custom Toys this week.   Keith Burch has constructed  a very nice 1/64 Peterbuilt combine hauling set.  Joe in CT  is ready to mow the acres down with his modified John Deere  6910 mounted with three disc mowers.  Jason Jeffers  has created a nice swing auger, 100ft boom Flexi-Coil sprayers and a nice Peterbuilt 10 wheeler with a pup.  Phillip Provencher  scratch built a very detailed 3pt sprayer and detailed a John Deere  8410.  Kevin Panacek  has tackled several projects including a wide track 8400T, a modified CaseIH MX 270 and 9260 and two pulling tractors.  The Lion 1000 is new to the Steiger history section.  November Tractors, Plows and Harvesters of the Past article is by Jim Schroer entitled  Blue Steigers: Then and Now.  In New Toys  news the  Case 1030 Western Style #15  was released this week.  Scale Models  has introduced a pedal tractor version of the STX 450. For those of you interested in how government influences farming visit The Atlantic Firm weekly ToyTractorShow.com AG update by going to http://theatlanticfirm.com/id43.htm. The feature tractor of the week is the Versatile 1156. The feature link of the week is Don Campbell's website Expresso Designs .
November 11-November 17:  ToyTractorShow.com's next Live Chat is with RC/ERTL Farm Toy Product Manager Bill Walters is on November 20th at 8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. CT. TTS owner Jason Hasert is back from a great trip to the National Farm Toy Show. Jason will have a Toy Tractor Show.com table at several farm toy shows this fall. Check the Farm Toy Show page to see which shows TTS will attend. It was a pleasure to meet many TTS users at the National  Toy Show last week and at the Lancaster, PA toy show this weekend. The TTS dinner at the National was a great success, with 25 people attending the get together at the Country Junction. Several top names in the hobby attended the TTS dinner,  including Don Campbell and his wife Debbie, Jeff Moore of Moore's Toys, Gordy Schultz of Toy Farmn' and Dan Elledge former director of  AG marketing  and riding toys at Ertl.  David and Brian Sharp stopped by the TTS dinner to say hello. Jason Hasert was selected by the Toy Farmer Magazine to judge the 13 displays at the National Toy Show.  All 13 displays and Ev Webber's 1970's county fair  were very well done and will be featured in an article here on TTS News next week.  The Toy Farmer had its 25th Anniversary highly detailed model on display at the National.  Matt Scheibe of the Toy Farmer  has sent in pictures and information on the two 1/32 Big Bud 16V-737 models that will help celebrate magazines 25 years of severing the farm toy collecting hobby. Learn more about the 16V-737  here on TTS's New Toys page and BigTractorPower.com. Do you have your Christmas list ready for Santa? You may want to add to it, there are lots of new toys on the way for the year end and early 2002. John Deere dealers should have the long awaited 1/64 4000 set in two weeks. A nice surprise for John Deere fans is the 1/64 4020 w/ Hiniker Cab  and the 1/64 8420 with front and rear duals due out in December.  The 1/16th Scale John Deere Prestige model 45 combine is also due out in December. It should prove to be a popular item. Early next year the  1/16th 8520 Collector's Edition with with front dual tire pneumatic/hydraulic suspension will be one of the nicest row crop tractors from RC/ERTL to date.  Red Power fans have lots of new toys to look forward to as well. 2002 will mark the 100th anniversary of the International Harvester brand name.  Ertl will help CaseIH celebrate the IH centennial with 4 1/16 toys,  the  last Farmall: IH 5488 w/fwa and rice tread tiresRC/ERTL is trying something new with its Precision line in 2002, a construction line. The first Construction  piece will be a 1/16 Case 580 Super M Backhoe #1.  One CaseIH item that has confused collectors this fall is the CIH tillage plow. Many people expected a large field cultivator when they saw a price of $8.00+ on the CIH tillage plow order form. and Case Corp. have corrected the pricing problem and has a normal price of $3.00-$4.00 at most dealers now. The 1/64  IH Gold Demo set is back in the works for 2002. It will not be a kit.  Moore's Toys has several new items on the way. In late December or early January Moore's Toys will release a highly detailed DEGELMAN 7200 16' BULLDOZER BLADE.Moore's Toys also has a 8000/9000 Detail Kit on the way. Moore's is pleased to announce that they have been given permission to manufacturer and market  1/64 HILLCO HILLSIDE LEVELING SYSTEMS .  Larry Buhler's 1/64 FRIGGSTAD D-7-80 FIELD CULTIVATOR is now available. Visit the TTS On-Line Toy Show for details and pricing.  For those