Doug Harke

The John Deere 50 Series 4wd

Comparison of 8650 collector and shelf models.

John Deere upgraded their four-wheel drive tractor line in 1981 by increasing the power of the 8650 which replaced the 8640. The exhaust and air intake were moved from the center of the hood to right outside of the right corner post on the cab and this considerably improved vision for the operator. Ertl followed the changes in the real tractor with modifications to the toy that also moved the exhaust and air intake which was now a realistic looking hard black plastic to the just in front of the cab corner post. The hood casting was changed to accommodate this new part. To introduce the new 50 series toy line, the first John Deere collector series toys were offered in 1981 and this included an 8650 four-wheel drive tractor and a 4850 with front wheel assist. Model number decals and an inscription on the frame on these collectors editions set them apart from the shelf models which were released a few months later. The 4850 and 8650 were only the second and third John Deere toys with a model number after the 5020. Sales of these collectors editions were very brisk because of the large number of John Deere toy collectors and because many dealers did not order them because this was a new concept and they were uncertain as to whether these special toys would sell. Prices for this first collectors editions set quickly climbed to $400 for the pair and stayed there for more than a decade. More recently the prices for this set are about one-half of this level. In general, prices are very soft for toys made in the 1980-1995 era.

Hybrid 8650 with 8640 body, single wheels, and 8650 decals.

Ertl followed the 8650 Collectors Edition with a shelf model which did not have a model number decal or an inscription on the frame. Early shelf models had a black seat and later ones had a brown seat. The fourth 8650 variation was actually an 8640 casting with 8650 decals and wide single wheels instead of the duals on all of the other 8600 series toys.

8650 front on left and 8640 front on right showing decal differences.

The 50 series of real John Deere four-wheel drive tractors included a new and larger model – the 8850 with a V-8 engine which was a first for John Deere. Ertl made a 1/64 scale 8850 and I’ll let Dan Adamson cover that in his 1/64 variation articles.

 John Deere 8850 chisel plowing and 1/64 Ertl 8850 Power-Pull in top right corner.

In my haste to get ready for the Geneseo, NY Farm Toy Show, I forgot to mention some other variations of 8630’s and 8640’s. The earliest 8630’s had a smaller muffler pad which was corrected in later models. My picture better explains this variation. After the 8650’s were well into production, Ertl made an 8640 with an 8650 cab. Again, this is much clearer when you see the picture. There were actually two versions with and without the exhaust and air intake holes closed with rivets. These 8640 hybrids all have the “1323” stamp underneath to indicate that they were made on the 132nd day of 1983.

8630 with early small muffler pad on left and later correct one on right.

8640 with 50 series cab

Speculation is that the 8640 and 8650 hybrids were an effort by Ertl to use up left-over castings.

Toy Tractor Dealer
We carry a full range of farm toys and collectibles, covering Ertl, Scale Models, Spec Cast, Die Cast Promotions, Norscott, Franklin Mint, Bruder, Siku, and Britains Petite products, as well as out of production toys, custom built, and customized replicas. We are "Your Complete Farm Toy Equipment Dealer!" www.bossenimp.com