Blog

Greetings from Dyersville!

Here we are at the start of another year. I can’t wait to talk to you about our new items, and plans for 2020. My wife and I were able to get away for a few days in Arizona. I’ve been told that Arizona is typically warmer than Iowa in the winter, but while we were there it was only in the 40’s. I guess we picked the wrong week. I did find a road sign that we definitely don’t see in Iowa.

Over the last few blogs I’ve announced some of the special units we’re doing for our 75th Anniversary. As part of these offerings we’re doing two special “Barn Finds” tractors including a 1:16th John Deere “A” narrow front (Stock # 45730OTP) and a Farmall “M” wide front (Stock # 44215OTP). Both units will include accessories including tool boxes, compressor, jack stands, etc. Both of these units are limited one time production runs.

We just recently released our 2020 catalogs for Case IH and New Holland. I want to highlight a few new items that are coming out this spring. First is the 1:32nd New Holland CR9.90 45th Anniversary combine. (Stock # 13959OTP) New Holland introduced its first Twin Rotor combine back in 1975 with the introducution of the TR70 model. Equipped with a 145HP Caterpillar engine and a 175 bushel grain tank it was state of the art. Compare that to the current CR9.90 that has a 410 bushel grain tank and a engine with 544 horsepower. Our model includes both a corn and draper head. This model will only be produced once and will be limited to 2,500 units. We are also producing a 1:64th version model to celebrate the 45th anniversary. (Stock # 13958OTP) Watch for item coming out February.

If you collect FFA branded tractors check out our new models including the 1:16th International 330 (Stock # 44222) and 1:16th John Deere 70 (Stock # 45737) that are coming out this spring.

Late last year we started shipping our first Fendt model in North America. Our 1:32nd scale Fendt 828 Vario is now available through AGCO dealers. (Stock # 16391). I’m happy to announce that we have finalized an agreement with Claas and are currently working on our first replicas. Keep watching my upcoming blogs for more information on our upcoming models.

Also, we have a few 1:16th Allis Chalmers 440 tractors left on our Ertl Collectors Club website. These were done to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Toy Farmer. Get them while you can.

Wherever you are, stay warm and keep safe. The days are getting longer and spring will be here before you know it.

Until next time,

Bill