Monday's Machine - The Case IH MX 305

I haven't put up a post in a while (shame fills my heart), but this is a new feature that will be at least weekly. I will show some of the pictures of real tractors and other equipment I have collected over the past few years, and if I'm able to I will post whatever information about farm toys that I deem relevant.

For the first installment I have selected the Case IH MX305. I took this picture recently in Michigan at a dealership. I have included a picture of the toy version that Ertl released this year and a video of an MX 305 I found on YouTube.

If you would like to read about the Magnum line of tractors, the Case IH corporate website has a nice page with all the details. http://www.caseih.com/products/series.aspx?seriesid=2763&navid=105&RL=ENNA

New Model Release - J-M 680/760 Gravity Wagon, JD 8130

Yet another new release from Ertl is the J&M 680/760 gravity wagons. These wagons feature nice detail with a sliding door, front and rear hitch, and high detail. The wagons come packaged together (2), with a John Deere 8130. The 8130 is another variation in the John Deere 8x30 line. It has basic features and is a nice model, but has a major flaw. The wheels are a very dull shade of yellow, that look very little like the typical john deere yellow that you see on real tractors, and some of the better toys. These dull yellow wheels make the tractor look pretty crappy, and are a disappointment. I plan on painting mine as soon as I can.

The set packaged with 2 wagons and the 8130 retail for $20-22, which I think is too pricey for what you get. This is an attempt by Ertl to get people who want to buy the gravity wagon that would cost $6-8 alone, to spend $22 on a set containing a poorly detailed tractor that they most likely already have a better variation of anyway. If you really want the wagons it is worth the price, but I'm willing to bet there will be another smaller set released or individual wagons (100% chance of this with Ertl's usual directive of maximizing models released from 1 casting.)

New Model Releases - John Deere 7930, 568 Baler

Recently released from Ertl is the John Deere 7330 "Premium" tractor and 568 "MegaWide plus" round baler. These items come packaged individually, but look very nice together.

7330 - The 1/64th 7330 is a very nice replica. It features clear cab glass, a sunroof with glass, and rubber tires. The tires on this model seem to be a softer compound than on previous Ertl offerings. The grill and headlights are cast into the front of the tractor, instead of a sticker so this is an extra nice touch of detail. Overall this is a very nice model, and I would recommend it to any collection. The price is currently $6-7 at most dealerships.

568 Baler - The 1/64 John Deere round baler has been released many many times. I once heard a man at a toy show brag that he had over 20 "variations" of the original round baler that was produced by Ertl. I don't know if that was accurate, but considering all of the tractor sets and how many years it was produced, there are bound to be many different variations of the old baler out there. The new 568 baler is a very nice upgrade. It features an opening bale door, and very large rubber tires. These tires are also made of an upgraded compound that is softer to the touch. The baler also has very small bogey wheels up front, and a rotating gathering reel underneath. This is an excellent model that would be an upgrade if you are still using the old balers. It sells for around $6-7 at dealerships. Here is the website from Deere for the real baler: http://www.deere.com/servlet/com.deere.u90785.productcatalog.view.servlets.ProdCatProduct?tM=FR&pNbr=0568%20E

Apparently St. Patrick's Day is 2 Weeks Long

Light posting this month is the result of a busy schedule. I do have many things planned for the month of April including:

1. A Farm Toy scavenger hunt
2. Spring planting pictures of real tractors and toys
3. A feature on the wonderful world of 1/87 (Thats HO for you railroad folks)
4. A custom planter build
5. A custom plow build
6. How to make your own 7488
7. Details over on my other site about making remote controlled cars go really fast.
8. And more

So visit frequently to see if I can be more punctual with my posts.

Also the farm toy rumor mill (if there is such a thing) is buzzing with word of 2 new 24 row planters. I'll try to get more information on those.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Many Internet sites you visit today will change their colors or put up articles to honor St. Patrick's day. Here at Zac's Tractors I don't have the option of that since my site is ALWAYS green. I still want to celebrate, so I've decided that I will post some pictures of my favorite green tractor. And I thought that this was such a great idea that I've decided to post a green tractor each day this week.

The John Deere 8530 Authentic Series #1 is one of (If not the most) detailed 1/64th scale tractor ever made. It features metal wheels w/ rubber tires (only seen on precision tractors), clear cab glass with an opening cab door (first ever in 1/64), An opening hood with detailed engine, a movable 3pt hitch, and steerable front wheels.

The particular 8530 that I have pictured is one that I removed the rear duals and added rear triples. This adds a unique touch to the tractor that wasn't offered from Ertl. This is one of my favorite customs because it turned out looking like a factory piece, and retained its realistic look that was important to the authentic line of tractors.

The downside is that I had to cut the extra wheels off of the back of another tractor, but that allowed me to add fat duals to the 8530 that lost its wheels. I used the other set of extra wheels on an 8410 John Deere that I will feature in another article.


THE ERTL AUTHENTIC SERIES
Sine I've focused on the initial offering in this series I wanted to write a quick note about the authentics. Ertl saw a window of opportunity with collectors that wanted high detailed 1/64th scale tractors. They responded with this series that offers collectors small tractors with great detail. So far there have been 2 authentics, and a 3rd one is rumored to be released later this year. The first 2 were John Deere tractors (8530, and 4930 sprayer), but the 3rd offering is rumored to be of another color/brand. The first 2 authentics have sold in the $20-25 range and should retain their value. I doubt they will increase for a while because they were available everywhere, bot the authentics are worthwhile to collect because a custom piece with this level of detail would cost HUNDREDS from a custom builder.

Zac's Tractors Reaches 1,000 Views!

I first posted on this blog in November of 2007, so 1,000 hits came up pretty quickly. Now lets all celebrate, and at this rate we will reach 100,000 posts in 50 years.

New Blog Same Blogger

Here is your #1 Internet source for a toy tractor collector trying to build a 100mph remote controlled car. Which coincidentally may be your only Internet source for this. At any rate please feel free to peruse my other site which will act like an online journal as I reach for speeds no tractor has or will hopefully see.
http://zacsprecisionmotorsports.blogspot.com/

This blog is expanding

Im adding either a new feature to this blog, or a sister site dedicated to a project that I have been working on. Ill give all 3 of my loyal readers a clue.......It weighs about 1 pound..........It goes over 100mph (maybe)........

So look for that in coming weeks. If anyone guesses what it is you win a sticker!

Interesting Model Release

I cant really call this a "New Model Release" since its been out since 2006, instead ill title it an "Interesting Model Release."

The Tampa expo tractor is a mystery to me. The only 3 Tampa tractors I know of are a 6420 made in the early 2000's, and a desk set made before that. I think that the tractors are made for the John Deere parts distributors & dealers. If anyone of you 5 people reading this have any idea about other models, please post them in the comments section, and ill do a little research.

The 2006 edition of the Tampa show tractor features cab glass, and a yellow imprint on the roof that says "Expo, Tampa 2006." When I dig up my other expo tractor ill post a picture of it.

This 8320 was at a dealer in Michigan for $9, which I thought was a pretty good deal. However if earlier models are any indication, there really hasn't been a huge demand for these. Despite this the fact that there were a limited number produced means that there is potential for an increase in value.

New eBay auctions

Here is a custom 7488 that I put on eBay tonight. This is a very nice model with hand painted details, and accurate custom graphics. You can see this and my other auctions at: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZzfriess_umich

In a future edition, I will post how to create a 7488 for yourself.

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 - The IH 1086

Yet another new release from Ertl is the IH 1086 pictured above. It includes many nice features including more realistic graphics and clear cab glass. Also as you can see from the picture the 1086 comes with tall single tires. In the 3rd picture you can see a side-by-side comparison of the 1086 produced by Ertl in the 70s, and the vast improvements on the new model.

I think its interesting that the old cast exhaust pipe is actually more sturdy (although less detailed) than the new model's rubber piece.

The new 1086 is available at dealers for around $6-8, and its a good deal at that price. As far as a value outlook I don't expect much because Ertl will no doubt get their money back from the new tooling by many variations in the next several years. The value of the old model will fall slightly because you are eliminating the collector that just wants any 1086 that is available, so why pay $20 when you can pay $6? Nevertheless I imagine the old castings will still bring around $15 at toy shows in the future.

Magnum 305 & STX 535 Gold Signature Edition

Another new release from Ertl / Case IH is the Magnum 305 & STX 535 Gold signature edition set. This is a very nice set featuring the anniversary editions of 2 very popular Case IH tractors. Both of the models feature cab glass and great detail. One nice feature this set has is the silver painted rims. Often Ertl only has the dull gray rims that come on the stock casted plastic. Another feature shared by these two models is the golden hood and a special graphic.

I enlarged and inset the Graphic in the first photo in this post so that you can clearly see the 20th anniversary sticker on the Magnum, and the 50th anniversary sticker on the STX.

This set is at dealers for around $16-$18, and is a nice addition to a collection, although value will probably not go up for several years.

New eBay auctions up!

Its been a while, but ive put up some more eBay auctions. Please take a look and check back often since I'll post some more auctions tommorrow.

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZzfriess_umich

Included in some of the auctions I put up tonight:

1/64th Case IH 7010 Combine
1/64th Case IH 3388 2+2 with CUSTOM duals
1/64th John Deere 8330T
1/64th TG305 with CUSTOM duals
1/64th 9620 4wd
+Many more

Gilpin Sulky Plow

Here is an interesting piece I found at a Michigan tractor dealership just before Christmas.

The John Deere corporate website has an interesting article about the plow:
https://www.deere.com/en_US/compinfo/student/gilpinplow.html

Basically this plow was very popular after the civil war, and was named after a “big-wig” at Deere & Co.

As a model this piece is very nice featuring die cast construction, free rolling wheels, and nicely casted details. The tongue of the model has an inscription reading “JOHN DEERE AFTER MARKET 2000, ST. LOUIS 95, ACHIEVING THE VISION”

As far as the plows value goes, it seems to be a limited piece, since I have never run across it at any toy shows including the National. At the dealership I paid $15, but I have seen it sell on eBay for as much as $30.

If anyone has further details on this item I would be interested to her them.

2008 KFYR AGRI Steiger Couger II

Here are some images of the new Couger II AGRI International Farm Toy Show Tractor. This Model features variations from the new Couger II that was released this past fall. The following additions were made for the show tractor:

1. Headlights

2. Black painted engine (originally yellow)

3. Taillights

4. Hydraulic lines

5. Rubber Duals all around

This tractor has a serial number on the top of the roof. If anyone can let me know how many were made I would appreciate it. If past years are an indicator, there were probably around 300 made.

KFYR AGRI Couger II vs. "Stock" Couger II

Here are the variations I mentioned in the above post on the New Couger II. The duals are a welcome addition, and the lights add a nice touch of detail.

Same Casting, New Paint

Here are some good comparison shots of the Steiger Panther that came out past fall and the new Ford FW-60.

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.

New Model Release - The John Deere 9630

The much anticipated 9030 series 4wd was released from Ertl several weeks ago. This is a very nice model featuring Cab glass, cab lights, accurate grill and ladder detail, and excellent fit and finish. At almost $10 you can see that prices are going up for standard toy tractors, but at the same time the detail is also going up, its its worth the extra money.