Greetings from Dyersville!

The weather is finally becoming a little warmer here in Iowa. The cold and windy spring has delayed my garden, but my potatoes and sweet corn are finally starting to pop out of the ground. Now we need some heat and timely rains.

I am looking forward to seeing some of you at the upcoming Summer Farm Toy Show on June 4/5. We will have our showroom open on both days, the hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. We have quite a few new items to show you.

We recently released our latest John Deere flyer on our ERTL website. New releases include our 75^th anniversary tracked and wheeled 1:32^nd X9 1100 Prestige combines (Stock #s 45829OTP & 45828OTP). Both of these combines are one-time production runs and include 75 silver painted randomly inserted chase units. Both of these models include a 45-foot flex draper head and 16-row folding corn head. These have a multitude of detail including a folding unloading auger, opening right side panel with drop down ladder, pivoting front ladder and rear axle.

We are also announcing our updated 1:16^th scale John Deere 9R 640 and 9RX 620 (Stock #s 45767OTP & 45766OTP). These tractors are huge and have lots of great detail and features including an opening hood, railings, mirrors and warning arms.

We also are offering a special 75^th anniversary “M” tractor with mounted plow (Stock # 45788OTP). John Deere’s Dubuque Works started production in 1947, with their first model being the “M”. Our model includes special 75^th anniversary wording on the side panels and will include 75 randomly inserted gold chrome chase units. This is a one-time production of 2,500 units.

This flyer also showcases the new units for the Two Cylinder Club and the National Farm Toy Museum. The Two Cylinder Club tractor is a narrow front 4430 model (Stock # 45831OTP). Narrow front tractors were being phased out in the 1970’s as the weight of tractors became heavier, and there were less mounted implements that required a narrow front axle. John Deere’s smaller “30” series tractors were some of the last models offered with a narrow front axle option. The National Farm Toy Museum model for this Fall is a 4450 tractor with MFWD (Stock # 45837OTP). This model will feature individual front weights, 3-point hitch, and a newly tooled interior. We’ll touch on additional items in my next blog.

Switching brands, we are also announcing a new 1:16^th Steiger Bearcat Series II Prestige tractor (Stock # 44265). This is a one-time production run unit which features dual wheels on both axles. This unit features an opening cab door, rear hydraulic hoses, front and rear lights and detailed engine. Only 2,500 will be produced. We have updated 1:32^nd balers coming, including the RB565 Premium HD Round Baler, (Stock # 44280) and the LB434XL Large Square Baler (Stock # 44288). We also have a new 1:64^th Pink AFS Connect Magnum tractor (Stock # 44335) coming later this fall as well as a 1:64^th IH 6588 2+2 tractor (Stock # 44275). Last, but certainly not least, is that we will also be offering several models of Case IH’s newest “Demonstrator” tractors. More details will be forthcoming. Keep checking our ERTL website for the latest Case IH and New Holland flyers, which will also show the special “Farm Show” units for 2022.

We also have several new Allis Chalmers items that we will be showcasing at the Summer Farm Toy Show. First is a special 1:64^th three-piece tractor set highlighting the 50^th Anniversary of the AC 440 4WD tractor which was introduced in 1972 (Stock # 16433OTP). This set includes the 440, 7580 and 4W-220 all with dual wheels, 50^th Anniversary logo on the hood, and this item will also include 500 black chase units randomly inserted into the production run. This item is available exclusively through our TOMY Outlet Store in Dyersville as well as through our Ertl Collectors Club. We will also be announcing a 1:16^th Allis Chalmers 1960 D-17 Prestige tractor (Stock # 16448). This features an updated grille, new graphics and 50 black chrome chase units randomly inserted into the production run. We may have some additional new AC units also being at the show. Keep tuned to our social media and watch for additional flyers on our ertl.com website.

Concerning our website, we recently updated the site and are using a new host. Part of this update requires all customers to setup a new account through our Ertl Collectors Club. Your current account is no longer valid. We’re adding several new items to our Collectors Club, including new AC and CAT items, so you’ll want to be sure to sign up!

If you like social media you can get all the latest news through our Facebook, Instagram and TikTok posts. We are planning another Facebook Live before the Summer Farm Toy Show, so keep watching.

Until next time,

Bill