The new 8030 series
By: Jason Hasert

The new 1/64 John Deere 8030 series arrived at John Deere dealers in late September and early October. The first 8030's to be released in 1/64 were the 8330T and the 8430. In this article we review the new models.

The new models from Ertl offer improved detail over the past 1/64 8020 tractors. These new models share some similar looks to the 8020's are entirely new castings. Ertl has announced that all modern 1/64 tractors starting with the 8030 series will include cab glass standard. This cab glass cab feature has been on collectors wish list as standard option for many years. Ertl is listening. The new models now have John Deere Green Star GPS beacons on the roof. Flood lights also are new features on the cab roof. It is interesting the GPS beacon on the 8330T is painted yellow while the 8430's beacon is unpainted. In reverse the 8430 has its rear flood lights painted silver while the 8330T's rear flood lights are unpainted. Both tractors cabs have hazard lights painted in orange. The grill and headlights have changed on these models from the 8020 series. The decals on these tractors look very much like the 4020 of the 1960's with a bold yellow line and separate area for the model number under the stripe.

The 8330T is a 225 hp tracked tractor. This new Ertl toy is a wide track version of the tracked model. The 1/64 8300T has a 120 inch track width. The real machine set on the 120 inch spacing will span four 30 inch rows of corn. The wide track models use narrow treads to allow the tracks to work between row crops. This type of model is useful for tillage, planting and cultivating The past Ertl tracked John Deere models have included the 8400T, 8410T and 8520T. These models used the standard tread. These models would be used primarily for tillage and seeding small grains. In this article we compare the 2005 8330T to 2001 8520T. You can see how new model has spaced out tracks and the difference in the tread with on the track belts. The 2001 8520T had enclosed side panels over the engine. The new 8330T has open sides showing the engine. Ertl has added additional paint and decal details to the 8330T. The 8330T is package with a 2700 mulch ripper.

The 8430 is a 250 hp wheeled tractor. Ertl has produced this model with duals all around. It has major improvements over the 2001 8420. The comparison pictures show the 8430 has new cab windows, gps and flood lights. The front duals on the 8430 are covered by a mud flaps. The engine panels are different on the two models. The 8430 has large vents where the 8420 has small screens. The new 1/64 8430 has accurate wheel lugs on the rear duals where the 8420 had generic detail in the wheel area. The new 8430 is packaged with a 2200 field cultivator.

The next 8030 series tractor set in 1/64 will be an 8230 with a 1990 CCS grain drill. The grain drill is all new tooling from Ertl. If you interested in the details on the 8030 series you find them included below.

8030 Features:

8130 = 180hp
8230 = 200hp
8330 = 225hp
8430 = 250hp
8530 = 275hp

- New 9.0L Engines
- More HP and Updated Styling
- New Vari-Cool Cooling Package, dissipates heat more efficiently, away from cab. Less Heat Load on cab, and lowers Sound Level. New baffling reduces ground-level dust disturbance.
- All-new IVT Transmission Available for 8030 Wheel Tractors, standard on 8530.
- Improved PST Shifting Logic & Smoothness
- New Command Center Controls & Displays, similar to 7020LF
- Improved Cab features increased Sound Reduction using new Sound Resonators which cancel out irritating sounds at ear level
- Rerouted Hydraulic lines reduce cab noise
- Finer-machined transmission gears reduce transmission noise
- Improvements for AMS (Ag Management Solutions a.k.a. Greenstar, GPS, etc)
- Improved Hydraulic System features Dual Hydraulic Filters and offers higher oil flow rates at lower RPMs. The issues with things like Dump Carts and Cotton Modules with oil pressure have been resolved. Easier to steer with Front Duals.
- New Category 4N 3-Point Hitch lifts up to 18,300 lbs and is easily convertible to Cat. 3.
- New Self-diagnosing SmartCircuit electrical system
- New AutoPrime fuel system makes getting tractor started after running out of fuel a breeze.
- 9.0L Engine features Variable Geometry Turbocharger, allows quicker turbo response and optimal air-flow based on engine load. Also have Cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation which reduces emissions to meet Tier III without degrading performance. 4 valves per head with center-mounted fuel injector. All 9.0L Engines have INCREASED TORQUE and REDUCED Fuel Consumption, don't believe the rumours otherwise.
- All 8030s are Large-Frames with longer Wheelbases and are approx. 7" longer than 8020s, due to the IVT and other internal changes. Turn Radius has not been significantly affected (2" wider turns, worse-case)
- Forward visibility improved approx. 5' at Eye Level due to lower hood.
- New 200 amp Alternator
- Reduced Parasitic Power loss in Tractor and Engine using several changes, 8030s are 3-15% More Fuel Efficient, depending on application.
- IVT Tranmission is 600lbs heavier than PST. Efficiency is equal or better then the PST