December 2005

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The Best of 2005
Another 12 issues are on the web from Toy Tractor Times.com.  It is hard to believe that 2005 has come to a close and 2006 is upon us.  Next year promises to bring lots of exciting new toys from AGCO, CNH and John Deere.  The Toy Tractor Times has had a chance to preview a few of these new '06 toys but we can not release any info on them just yet.  I can say collectors have some good surprises on the way this spring and summer.

As we look forward to a new year it is also a good time to look back at 2005 and all of the new items we collected.  Ertl, Spec-Cast, Scale Models and Die-Cast Promotions all had a big year with new releases.  The December Toy Tractor Times will highlight collectors favorites and the best sellers. 

Before we close out 2005 we will introduce our Toy Tractor Times.com Collector of the year.  This years winner is Samuel Heavner better known as "Big D" on toy talk. The Collector of the Year began in 2004 with the introduction of the chrome "Rick Larsen" IH 1086.  The 2004 winner was Brandon Cooper for his efforts to build the hobby as the host of the Beaver Falls, PA toy show and using the funds to help fund research Muscular Dystrophy.  Each year T.T.T chooses a collector who has helped build the hobby in a positive manner.  This years winner has a full story in this issue and will receive a chrome "Rick Larsen" Spirit '76 Case like the model featured on the cover.  Could you be the 2006 T.T.T. Collector of the year?  Yes, we are always watching the hobby and how collectors help collectors.  That is all it takes to win.  We will see next December.

This months issue also introduces our newest feature Toy Tractor Times TV.  Starting with this issue we are introducing a segment that is a video article only.  The article is like watching TV.  No pictures, no text just a full length video on farm toy collecting.  Our first Toy Tractor Times TV segment is on the 20th Annual Western, KY Farm Toy Show in  Hopkinsville, KY.  Look for more Toy Tractor Times TV in 2006.  We have some exciting programs planned so stay tuned.

Our TV segment on the 20th Annual Western, KY Show is special to me because this month also marks my 20th year in the farm toy hobby.  In 1985 I attended my first farm toy show.  The show was the 1st Annual Western, NY Farm Toy Show in Geneseo, NY.  The show was founded and still is hosted by our very own T.T.T author Doug Harke. After attending the WNY Show no longer were my toy tractors to play with but they were collectors items.  The January Toy Tractor Times will feature first farm toys and how myself and our authors got into collecting.

The 1985 WNY farm toy show was the first time I ever saw a farm display and custom farm toys.  As soon as I got home from the show my dad helped me build my first 1/64 farm display.  It was fun for me to show my current display at the 20th Annual WKY show this month.  It is the first time I have ever displayed at a show.  In our March 2006 issue we will look at how custom farm toys and farm displays developed.

Thank you to all of our readers who have helped The Toy Tractor Times grow in 2005

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Until Next Times.............

Jason and Stefanie Hasert

Toy Tractor Times TV!
Hopkinsville, KY Toy Show
Click here to watch video from the Hopkinsville, KY Toy Show and lots more.
Down on the Model Farm
J&S Farm Toys 2005 National Farm Toy Show Display
J&S Farm Toys display placed second at the National Farm Toy Show.
The 2005 TTT Collector of the Year
Samuel Heavner - "Big D"
Samuel has won this honor for his exemplary positive manner and willingness  to help collectors.
1/64th with Dan Adamson
These four models are very nice models with possibly the highest level of detail in a 1/64 toy model to date. 

Toy Tractor Times Wallpaper
John Deere 9020 Series 4wd
John Deere 9020 Series Tractors offer a wide range in power choices with up to 500-engine horsepower. 
Tallon Tips
Favorites of 2005
2005 brought with it the introduction of countless new products for toy tractor enthusiasts.
Under the Scope
Universal Hobbies KUHN FC 303 GC (1:32 Scale) Mower Conditioner
I just had to bring this to the attention of the TTT faithful.
The Literature Rack
2006 Calendar
Another has come to a close so that means time for new Original Equipment Manufacturer calendars.
Spahr Does it Again
Nearly 1900 miles separate Dyersville, Iowa and El Segundo, California, the home of Terry Sphar, the 2005 National Farm Toys Show large scale display winner.
Truck Stop
Well, its safe to say 2005 is "in the books" and as far as trucks go, its been a good year.

Precision Perspectives
The Best of 2005
How do you pick the best Precision of 2005 in a year with several stand out models?  This year has been the biggest year in Precision ever.
Collector's Notes
The Best of 2005
Each year new items come out and collectors find their favorites among the new release.
What's New from ERTL?
Each year Ertl opens its show room to farm toy enthusiasts attending the National Farm Toy Show.  For a collector it is like going to Santa's workshop. 

Keeping Current with 1/64th
Ertl Celebrates Anniversaries Years in 1/64
 It all started in 1945 in the Ertl's basement with a sand cast replica of a tractor. 

Linking Together the Chain of
Farm Toy Collectors
Ertl Celebrates Anniversaries Years in 1/64
 It all started in 1945 in the Ertl's basement with a sand cast replica of a tractor. 
Next 'Times
The January 2006 Toy Tractor Times will look at our authors first and favorite farm toys. We all started collecting tractors with that first model and over the years have found some extra special models.  In the next issue our authors will share stories about their most prized pieces.  2006 will also prove to be an exciting year as new toys are released to promote new tractors and classic models.  Look for news on these new farm toys from The Toy Tractor Times in 2006.
Toy Tractor Times Pioneer Passes Away.....
Left to Right: 
Toy Tractor Times Founder Rick Larsen and Lowell Brusse

Lowell Brusse of Pioneer Collectibles passed away in late November.  Lowell had been active in the farm toy hobby since the 1970's and built many toy tractors through his Pioneer Collectible business.  Pioneer Collectibles  built the first three Toy Tractor Times Tractors in 1986, 1987 and 1988.

Lowell Brusse is a pioneering member of the Toy Tractor Times story.  Rick Larsen T.T.T's founder went to Massey-Ferguson the owner of the Massey-Harris brand to ask for licensing for the Pony tractor to help celebrate the magazines 3rd anniversary in 1986.  This approach was unheard off.  Normally toy companies would acquire model rights not individuals.   Over a period of months and many phone calls Massey-Ferguson granted The Toy Tractor Times the rights to offer a toy model of the Massey Harris Pony. Having OEM licensing allowed Rick to produce an authentic model and promote it under the Massey Harris name and history.   

August 1986 Cover of The Toy Tractor Times 

T.T.T's tractor line was off and running.  Now the tractor needed a producer.  Rick turned to a fellow toy collector he had become friends with through Iowa toy shows.  Lowell Brusse of Spring

Valley, MN had produced toys under the name Pioneer Collectables.  Lowell agreed to take on the MH Pony project.  The Massey-Harris Pony was hand built by Lowell.  The tractor was casted, painted and assembled.  In all Lowell Brusse made 1,740 Pony's for The Toy Tractor Times.  In 1986 Lowell produced 1,820 Allis-Chalmers B tractors and in 1988 1,038 Minneapolis-Moline V tractors for T.T.T.   These three tractors were pioneering tractors for their day as no one before had produced small horse power vintage tractors.

Lowell Brusse will be missed but he has made a lasting mark on the hobby with the toy tractors he leaves behind.  He was a true pioneer in the hobby.  Our condolences to the Brusse Family.