Toy Farm Tractors

In more than one respect, Ertl, long the most celebrated name in diecast toy tractors, is much like Tonka: both were founded shortly after World War II in the basements of enterprising Midwesterners. Although Ertl, also like Tonka, has produced countless toy trucks, this book will focus solely on the Iowa toymaker's true bread and butter: toy tractors produced from 1945 to present. Two hundred color photos depict Ertl's 1/16- and 1/64-scale tractors, up close with theater-gel backgrounds, diecast implements, and the sort of plastic injection-molded farmers and livestock with which Ertl has often packaged its tractors. Accompanying the is the story of how this Dyersville-based company grew by leaps and bounds, including founder Fred Ertls' first licensing of some of these companies' names and actual designs in 1945 , the family-based assembly line he and his wife established in their home, Ertl's renowned commitment to quality, and the incredible detail that goes into today's precision-made scale models.- Most collectible toy tractors available today are produced by Ertl- The truly American story of how an unemployed immigrant foundryman licensed the designs of ag giants I-H and J-D, melted surplus aluminum aircraft pistons in his basement furnace, poured the slag into hand-made sand molds, and put his five sons to work assembling and painting the tractors at the kitchen table- New 1/16 scale Ertl tractors typically sell in the $60 price range; most highly collectible vintage examples in the mid-three-figure range- WalMart is the #1 customer; followed by Farm & Fleet- Ertl, celebrating its 60th Anniversary, is the 900 pound gorilla in this categoryAbout the AuthorPatrick Ertel is the publisher for Antique Power magazine. Catherine Lee Phillips provided the photography for the book. They both live in Yellow Springs, Ohio.

Toy Tractors presents a full color gallery spanning the history of toy farm tractors and implements, as well as a restoration techniques index.

You have seen the big ones in the fields, here are the toy versions. Over 1000 farm model and pedal tractors are illustrated with detailed information about their manufacturers and model changes for many countries of the world. The models are organized and numerically coded in groups by the makers of the full size tracors including John Deere, Ford, International, etc., and include vital information for each one, including their scale and model makers. An index guides you right to your reference.

The Big Bud story charts the history of farming on the prairies and how the big 4WD articulated tractors came into being, detailing the origins of the Big Bud tractors from the early beginnings in 1969 to present day. The history of Big Bud tractors holds great interest and fascination as they are still some of the world's largest agricultural tractors still at work today.

Farming in Miniature is an essential guide for collectors of British toy models interested in farm tractors, farm horses and associated agricultural equipment. The manufacturers / brands are arranged alphabetically. Each manufacturer has its own chapter introduced by an account of its history. These introductions cross-refer to the captioned photographs that follow and which make up the bulk of the chapters. In their general introduction the authors say that they have attempted to illustrate all significant variations of colour and packaging, particularly of rare or unusual models, so as to make the book as comprehensive as possible. The three authors, all leading authorities, have drawn on their extensive past experience coupled with another five years to research, write and prepare photographs.

Whether your loyalties are tied to John Deere, International Harvester, Case or any of the countless other farm implement companies, you will find everything you need to accurately assess your collection, and enjoy your hobby to the fullest, in this ultimate farm toy reference. It covers all sizes of farm toys from 1:8 to 1:64 scale, dating back to pieces from the 1920s, and identifiable through 5,000+ detailed photos and the 16-page color section. Sorted by original equipment manufacturer, with secondary market values and historical insights, this new edition sets the standard of excellence of toy farmers.