The John Deere 60 & 70 Series 4wd
By Doug Harke, Variations

Denver Edition 8960Denver Edition 8960

John Deere significantly revised their large four-wheel drive line-up and introduced a new series in late 1988. The old 30, 40, and 50 series had been in production for fourteen years since 1975 and competition was increasing for the “big iron” market. Dealers attending the introduction meeting in Denver in September, 1988 got a first edition 8960 toy and total production was limited to less than 2000. These “Denver editions” had a different box to easily distinguish them from the collector’s edition and shelf model that followed. Prices for the Denver 8960 quickly rose to more than $700 but have continued stable in the $600-700 range more than fifteen years later. Real 8960’s were John Deere’s largest tractor and were powered by a Cummins six-cylinder engine with 370 horsepower. This replaced the John Deere V-8 diesel in the 8850 which was not used again in their large tractors.

Shelf model 8560

1988 Collectors edition John Deere 8760

Ertl pto power 1/32 John Deere 8960

Following the Denver introduction, Ertl announced a 8760 collector’s edition in late 1988 and followed this with a shelf model 8560 in early 1989. All of the toys have large dual wheels on all corners using the same size tires on the 1/12 scale Ford utility 4000-4600 tractors from the 1960’s and 1970’s. After these two toys were discontinued, Ertl introduced a shelf model 8760 in 1992. After prices remained at $45-65 for the 8560 and 8760 for more than a decade, collector interest in big tractors has pushed prices up closer to $100 now.

Ertl also offered a 1/32 John Deere 8960 pto power model from 1989-1991.  This battery powered 1/32 replica had a live action pto that could power a 1/32 John Deere Hydra-Push manure spreader, side spreader and barge wagon.

Upgrades to the 60 series resulted in the 70 series introduction in 1993. Ertl produced an 8870 toy, in 1994, by putting on a new style decal to make an 8870. After several years of production, the 8870 was discontinued but was re-introduced in 2004 and remains in the John Deere toy catalog.  The new 2004 8870 was changed to a windowless cab and the new plastic wide Ertl tires replaced the narrow
rubber tires.

New decals make an 8870 in 1994.	John Deere 8870 re-released by Ertl in 2004

1/12 Scale Valley Patterns 8570	1/12 Scale Valley Patterns 8770
1/12 Scale Valley Patterns 8970