by Jason Hasert

New John Deere Frontier Grain Cart Set

Ertl is continuing to please 1/64 collectors with new offerings from John Deere. There are two new exciting items arriving at John Deere dealers: the John Deere 8320 with Frontier GC1108 grain cart and John Deere 7320 with Hydra-Push spreader.

These new 1/64 farm toys show that Ertl is listening to collectors.  The Frontier Grain Cart offers a new level of detail unseen on previous Ertl implements.  This months "What is Hot in 64th" will give you a walk around tour of the new carts improvements.  The new John Deere 7320 may look like another loader tractor in the box but when you open it you are in for a surprise.  Ertl has finally built a 1/64 loader that lifts way up and dumps.  

The new grain cart has been a hot topic with collectors since it announcement this summer. Ertl has gone all out on this new cart. Frontier is a John Deere short line brand. This Frontier model is a new tooling and the boxed set is marked 1^st Production . The new cart is a huge improvement over the replica of the John Deere 500 cart introduced in 1990. 

 The John Deere 500 cart was the first 1/64 cart from Ertl.  When it was first introduced it was an exciting new toy to match the 1/64 John Deere Maximizer combine.  Over the past 14 years the 500 cart has been used several times by Ertl as a generic John Deere set insert with out the 500 number and it has been offered in Case-New Holland red and blue in recent years.  With the demand for detail Ertl has built an excellent replacement for the 500.

The old 500 cart represents a 500 bu. capacity.  The new Frontier GC1108 is a large 875 bu. cart, that is well matched for a 12 row combine like the 300 bu. John Deere 9860 STS. 

1990 John Deere 500 Grain Cart by Ertl

2004 Frontier GC1108 Grain Cart with John Deere 8320 by Ertl

The Frontier grain cart is paired with a John Deere 8320. The 8320 is a 215 hp tractor and Ertl has added a GPS beacon to the roof and this is the first 8020 replica in 1/64 with narrow style front tires. This new 8320 is the first offering of this horse power by Ertl in 1/64 and makes a nice power match for the grain cart and other John Deere implements like 1/64 1790 John Deere 16/32 row planter.

Ertl has added decals showing all the real life warning labels, lights and hazard lights and Frontier logos. The cart is die-cast with plastic detail including a tank ladder, bin safety grating and a poseable hitch jack stand. This cart is a good buy for any collection or display.

1/64 Frontier Cart 

Detailed Bin

Detailed Cart Frame

The other new exciting 1/64 John Deere set just out from Ertl is the 7320 with loader and manure spreader. Do not over look this new set. The 7320 is first new John Deere loader tractor since the 6410 in 1999. It is also the first new loader tooling since the 1992 John Deere 7800. This model has several first. It is the first 1/64 loader tractor to offer fwa with mud flaps and no front weight.

New John Deere 7320 & Spreader Set

The New 7320 Loader Soars to new Heights

All past Ertl loader tractors were standard tractors with a loader bolted onto the casting. Ertl adds front weights to most of its 2wd tractors. It would be too costly to make a new tractor casting with out a weight, so the loader tractors in the past have been incorrect. Farmers do not normally have weights and loader on a tractor at the first time. On the new small frame John Deere 7020 offered a new opportunity for Ertl. In October 2004, The Ertl John Deere 7520 first debuted in the Waterloo Works Set. The 7520 tooling was cast with a removeable front weight. This removeable weight has allowed Ertl to offer the new 7320 with out a weight. The new 7320 is a proper loader tractor.

New 7320 Loader Tractor and Waterloo Works 7520

Collectors will like the new loader on the 7320. In 1986 Ertl introduced its first 1/64 loader tractors. Loaders were a welcome addition to 1/64 2wd tractors, unfortunately the loaders could barely clear the John Deere Hydra-Push spreader. Below is a 1993 John Deere 7800 with a loader, as you can see it can barely clear the manure spreader.

The Old Style 1/64 Loader Barley Lifts Over the Hydra-Push Spreader

The new John Deere 7320 loader tractor soars to new loading heights clearing the Frontier cart with ease. Manure spreaders whether box or V-type are no problem for the 7320 to clear.

New Loader 

The 7320 is teamed with the John Deere Hydra-Push spreader. This model is a variation over past offerings with a bold new yellow John Deere decal.

1/64 John Deere 7320 with Spreader

Left to Right:  New John Deere Hydra-Push Block Style Decal Vs. Old Print Style