Welcome to the new Ertl Website

It's been almost 4 months since my last update. As you can see, we've been working on a new website layout for our Ertl website. Hopefully you like our new look. We'll be able to highlight some of our new items, and give you a little more information about them. Now that the website is up and running, look for more frequent updates and blogs from me.

I did want to let everyone know that our 2011 John Deere catalog will be released on Nov. 19. The only place you will be able to find it is right here on our Ertl website.

Thanks for your interest in Ertl. Come back often and check out our new items.

Bill

New Pedal Tractors

We were able to introduce several new pedal tractors at the Summer Farm Toy Show. First is the Case IH Magnum 180 Stars and Stripes model. I love the graphics on this model!! I don't recall ever seeing a pedal tractor that has such a unique look. I'm seriously thinking of buying one for myself!!

Next is the JD 7020 4WD pedal tractor. This is another first for Ertl to have an articulating pedal tractor. This is a design that is patent pending and finally allows us to replicate 4WD tractors. This pedals on this unit actually drive the two front wheels vs. the rear tires on our other models. Yes, the unit is actually steered from the steering wheel. Once you see this in action I'm sure you'll agree that this is truly innovative.

Last but not least, we're also introduced a Farmall 1466 pedal tractor. Note the great looking graphics and paint scheme on this model.

If you are into pedal tractors, you should definitely be thinking about Ertl.

Two Cylinder Club Tractors for 2010

We've produced tractors for the Two Cylinder Club for many years now. For 2010, we've tooled an all new "GM" tractor. The Two Cylinder Club will be offering versions on both rubber and steel wheels. One interesting tidbit of information on the "GM" tractors is that they were only offered as narrow front tractors. No wide fronts were ever made. You will be able to see these tractors in person at the Summer Farm Toy Show.

1/64th Big Bud 440 and 500

I've recently received from pre-production samples of the 1/64th Big Bud models that will be coming out this Summer. Most of you already know that we tooled an cab interior for these units, and put some different tires on these models vs. what has been done in the past. Let's talk about the 440 model first. We added a "Williams Brothers" graphic under the left side cab door and also replicated one of their real tractors by giving this unit a silver engine. For the 500 model, we added in "Power Shift" wording on the decal striping. There will also be a limited plated models of both units available. I note that these are already for sale on Van Kley's website. The real Big Bud 747 is also making news. It is now in Indenpendence, IA, which is just 40 miles from Dyersville. I don't think too many farmers around here need that much horsepower, but as they say, "There is no replacement for displacement!!""

1/32nd John Deere 8760 for the Plow City show

Sorry I haven't posted lately. I spent some time in the hospital and am finally getting back to work.

We received some pre-production units of the new 1/32nd John Deere 8760 tractor we tooled for the Plow City Show and I wanted to let you look it over. This is the 4th 1/32nd 4WD tractor we've tooled for the Plow City Show, and it is one of my favorites. The cab interior detail is excellent, along with the diecast rims and rear hitch areas. As always, we only do a limited run of these tractors for the show. If you want one, you better not wait....

Bill

IH 5-Millionth Pedal Tractor

If you love pedal tractors, you will need to seriously think about buying our latest IH pedal tractor, the 5-millionth 1066. These pedal tractors will be shipping by the end of Feb. We only produced a very limited amount, and they have all been ordered by Case IH dealers. If you want one, you better not take too long!!!!

This pedal has an all new hood and grille designed to replicate the 5-millionth 1066 tractor. Enjoy!!!

New IH 5088 Tractor

Our 2010 Case IH catalog did reveal that we were tooling a new 1/64th IH 5088 tractor. Ertl had produced a 5X88 1/64th tractor back twenty years ago. We tried running this tooling, but it was beyond repair. This new tooling includes cab glass and separate steps, something we obviously didn't have on the original tooling. We'll also have a version of this tooling as one of our State Tractors in 2010.

Look what I found

I'm sure most of you know by now that I work out of the Dyersville, IA office. Here in Dyersville we have the marketing, engineering, graphics and sales functions that handle most of the agricultural toys. Adjacent to the office is one of our warehouses where most of the farm product is stored and shipped out to retailers.

In the warehouse we have a special "archive" room where we've tried to keep samples of the product we've produced over the years. One of the items we have is a very early John Deere 1/64th tractor set. No one knows exactly when this specific set was produced, but most of the tractors shown in this set were tooled in 1967. You probably can't tell from the pictures, but most of these tractors had hooks for a hitch, instead of the holes we now use. It's interesting to me to look at the design of these tractors vs. what we are currently tooling today. I'm intrigued by the big blister card. Who knows, maybe someday we'll do this again.

1/32nd John Deere 8RT Tractor

Here are pictures of the new 1/32nd John Deere 8RT series tractor. John Deere made some changes to the new 8RT tracked tractors, including the new cab and track suspension. The new suspension has really made a big difference in the ride quality of these tractors according to John Deere.

We are doing a special 1/32nd version for the John Deere Waterloo Factory Store. This will be a model 8345RT replica. This unit features the new track suspension, something we also did with the latest 9000 tracked replica we produced in 1/32nd scale.

This unit will be shipping in March.

Bill

"New" 1/64th New Generation Set

As I'm sure all of you are aware, 2010 marks the 50th Anniv. of the New Generation tractors from John Deere including the 1010, 2010, 3010 & 4010 Tractors. We decided to come out with a set of these tractors in 1/64th scale. Unfortunately at the time our new 2010 catalog was being developed we did not have any units to photograph. We finally received them in and the photos should help you get a better idea of what they'll look like.

Notice that these tractors have authentic steering wheels. I keep hearing on chat boards about our steering wheels. Understand that making an authentic looking steering wheel sometimes involves making another tool, which can get very costly.

New 1/64th JD SP Windrower

I had several people come to me at the National Farm Toy Show and ask if we had a prototype of the new 1/64th JD SP Windrower that they could see. Unfortunately, at the time I didn't have anything to show you.

Now I finally have something!!! I hope you enjoy the images and I can tell you that the rear tires do not pivot, they are fixed. This unit does have cab glass and will hopefully make many people happy. At least those that like JD and hay equipment!!!!

Happy 2010, or should I say 2510?

I wanted to show you some images of our new 1/16 JD Precision 2510 tractor with sickle bar mower. This is #9 in the Precision Key Series for John Deere.

We've tooled a narrow front 2510 w/roll guard along with the model 50 side mounted sickle bar mower. The detail on this unit is outstanding. I hope the pictures do it justice. Notice all of the hydraulic lines and the detail of the mounting brackets for the mower.

I hope all of you had a great 2009 and I look forward to keeping you updated on our new 2010 projects throughout the year.

Bill