Just Like the Real Thing.......Only Smaller

Wow, flashback 15-20 years ago when nothing mattered more than 1/64th scale farm toys and this was my theme song. Wait, that actually is a pretty accurate description of 2009. Any of you carpet farmers from the 80's and 90's will enjoy these.

Look Familiar?

Ertl has decided to release their own black version of a Case IH combine. I guess I can feel good that I made and posted the black combine before the boys at Ertl, but it was nice to have the only one out there. Technically this black version of the new Premiere will be "Gunmetal," but it looks pretty black to me. Don't get too excited though, this combine will be extremely limited production, and if the packaging is handled like the other Authentic series tractors (Clear front so you can see whats inside) The dealers will open every one of them so that they can find the limited editions and sell them for hundreds of dollars.

In fact when I was at the national farm toy show in Dyersville I posed this exact problem to Ertl. I said that it wasn't fair that us collectors have no chance at getting a limited edition muddy or "gunmetal" tractor because the dealers get to them first and jack up the prices. The problem is that the dealers pay the same amount for these limited tractors as they do for the normal ones. So they make a huge profit, and we have to pay much more for them instead of just being lucky enough to stumble upon one in the dealership.

Ertl's response to my statement: "We can only do so much." This is from someone representing Ertl at the National farm toy show in the Ertl showroom. Generally I love Ertl and everything they do for the hobby, but this "scalping" of limited tractors is unfair to collectors, and undermines the purpose of the limited edition tractors.

More on the National Farm toy show in future articles.

New Auctions up, Old auctions have 2 days left...

I added 6 new eBay auctions tonight including several custom pieces:

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZzfriess_umich

1. A Steiger green STX425

2. A TR97 Combine with Bin extension

2. MX305 with Trelleborg Duals

4. CXT International Truck

5. 3588 for restoration

6. John Deere 7720 with custom duals, which was featured in my blog article from last year:

http://zacstractors.blogspot.com/2007/11/quick-and-easy-customs-custom-1-adding.html

If you have any questions about any of these auctions please leave me a comment.

I have several other auctions that have about 48 hours left.

New Model Release - FORD FW-60

Here is another new offering from Ertl using the Steiger casting. The Ford FW-60 is a very well detailed 4wd featuring cab glass and realistic graphics.

Ertl - The #1 Farm Toy Producer

Overall Rank: #1
Types of Agricultural products sold: John Deere, Case IH, New Holland, AGCO in 1/64, 1/32, 1/16 scales. They also sell plastic farm play-sets with buildings, animals, houses, fences, and even miniature farmers.
Signature product: Although there are many to choose from I’d have to go with the precision line (Now key precision) because of the extreme detail for a relatively low price.
Availability and pricing: Essentially everywhere (online dealers, wall-mart, TSC, implement dealers, toy shows). Pricing is very low for the level of detail.
Positives: Great selection, low prices, high detail (some models).
Negatives: Made in China, Some models have factory defects.
My impression: The #1 ranking comes from the massive volume and selection Ertl produces annually at a price every age group can afford. Also they recently produced a 1/64th scale authentic line that is essentially a small precision tractor. Precision level detail in 1/64 earns you bonus points with me.