Farm Toy Manufacturer Rankings

Farm toys represent a small segment of the overall toy market. Because Ertl occupies so much of that small segment all of the other companies are forced to produce tractors in specific niches that are skipped over for the sake of maximizing profits. This is not a knock against Ertl, as they are a for-profit company, and it’s hard to imagine our hobby existing without Ertl's dominance and persistence in the toy market.

Since I now have you as a captive audience I would like to run down the key players in the farm toy industry and give my opinions on each, and how they compare to each other. My criteria is from the perspective of a 1/64th scale collector of all brands. I gave high marks for variety and quantity of products sold, increasing level of detail, and reasonable prices.

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.

Norscott - The #4 Farm Toy Producer

Overall Rank: #4
Types of agricultural products made: 1/87, 1/64, 1/16 Caterpillar and Claas Tractors, combines, Forage harvesters.
Signature Product: 1/32 Caterpillar Lexion 580 Combine. The largest combine in the world, featuring a 16 Row corn head. The model is very well detailed and features a movable grain platform and an extendable grain hopper.
Availability and Pricing: Most caterpillar dealers, Wall-Mart and Meijers occasionally, online dealers, toy shows.
Positives: Good Detail, accurate models.
Negatives: Few models are made, very little consistency in the lines produced.
My impression: For predominately producing construction models Norscott also produces some very nice agricultural models. If I were a collector of 1/50 construction equipment Norscott would be far and away #1, with essentially no #2. But I’m not, so Norscott is #4.