New Models Coming Soon

First displayed at the 2009 National Farm Toy Show the following models will soon be available for purchase. The first model featured is a 1/32 9120 combine with tracks. This is an excellent model and as far as I'm aware the first 1/32 Case IH combine with tracks. This model will be in the "Prestige" Series and has excellent detail. Ertl is claiming late November to early December shipping.
Below is the 6388 which is a casting variation of the 3388 that came out about 5 years ago. The 2+2 is a very popular IH model, and until now we have had to custom make models beyond the 3388 and the 3588. This model has a red cab top with the black and silver stripe. Anyone who now wants a 7488 can have one with a simple decal swap. That gives me a great idea for a future article, stay tuned.
Below is something 1/64 fans have anticipated for years. A 1/64th scale big baler has been a very popular request at shows, and until now the quality of the models you could buy was questionable. As you can see this is a very nice model, and as soon as they are released ill have a full review.
Below is the Case IH variation of the Big Baler. Just as big, but for most people when they think balers New Holland is a more popular choice.
Below is the 2010 Farm Show Edition. I was surprised to see this considering it wont be out until next summer, but I was pleasantly surprised to see Ertl producing another tractor with triples.
Below is the red-chrome "chase" edition of this tractor. As usual this will be limited in production, and as usual toy dealers will open the boxes and put them on eBay so that the average collector cant afford one (Don't get me started).

Case IH Fall Farm Show Editions

Ertl has posted a flyer on their website with the Fall Farm Show Edition models. This year they will have a 1/16 Magnum 180 Stars and Stripes and a 1/64th 9120 Combine with front tracks and a 16 row corn head. Coincidentally I made a 7010 with front tracks about 2 months ago that I was going to show on my blog in the future, but I guess now would be an opportune time. This is a regular edition 7010 that I removed the wheels from and epoxied brass stock into place on the bottom. I then put the axle that goes through the top wheel through the normal axle housing, and a second brass rod to suspend the tracks through the bottom of the tracks. It is an interesting model and I'm happy Ertl will have one out too. Most importantly we get to have a 1/64 scale 16 row corn head to harvest with this fall.

2003 - The John Deere 7020

The 2003 National Farm Toy Tractor: The John Deere 7020

The people that make the decisions at Ertl are not dim bulbs. They knew in order to successfully sell their new vintage series they should start with the crowd favorite (John Deere), and offer a model that is new to 1/32 and 1/64 scales.

The John Deere 7020 has an all die cast construction with fenders on all four wheels. Part of this tractors exceptional detail comes from the cab glass, and black paint around the windows which is meant to look like the weather stripping.

According to the Toy Farmer pamphlet that came with this years national farm tractor there were 10,500 units produced in 1/64th scale and 10,700 units in 1/32nd scale. When new these tractors sold for around $10 in 1/64 and have appreciated nicely. At this years national toy show I saw tables where they were selling for $25-$30, and online dealers have them listed for as much as $32. Being the first tractor in the 4wd series I would expect the 7020 to maintain its current value, and with the markets demand for John Deere products it always has potential for an increase in value.

2005 - The Oliver 2655 Diesel

The 2005 National Farm Toy Tractor: The Oliver 2655 Diesel

As surprised as collectors were to get the first AGCO model, it was even more stunning to get 2 in a row. There really haven’t been many Oliver tractors made in 1/64th scale, so to get one with this level of detail was a real treat.

This model exhibits the customary die cast construction and cab glass featured in every tractor in this series, but with an important addition; The Oliver 2655s’ were produced with the 3pt hitch that was supposed to come on the Massey Ferguson 1500.

One note on this tractor is that my 1/64th 2655 has a couple tires that have become discolored in the packaging. I don’t know if this is a trend in all of the farm show edition Olivers’ produced, but it is definitely a noticeable defect on my model.

According to the Toy Farmer pamphlet 9,000 units were produced in both 1/64th and 1/32nd scales, slightly more than the Massey Ferguson 1500. At the national show I saw very few of these tractors for sale, but the ones I did see were selling for around $20, and I have seen them for as much as $30 from online dealers.