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John Deere Tractors From South America

I’m back from the other big show. I had never been to the Gateway Mid America Toy Show so I didn’t know what a great time I would have. I met Jason in KY and we drove to St Louis from there. Before we left he was able to show me the Garnett farm and also some of the large dealerships in the area.

The show was held at the Holiday inn in St Louis where the rooms are set up to circle a large courtyard. With the vendors set up in their rooms for room trading this left the entire courtyard open for plenty of nice displays. Jason and I got to the show early and were able to see the displays as they were being set up. It was interesting to sit back and watch a display grow from a plain folding table to a miniature farm. It took people several hours to get their display just right.

As is true with the National Toy Show, people from across the US come to this show. It’s a great opportunity to find pieces you didn’t know existed or find pieces you had been looking for.

This months article will focus on a few toys that were manufactured out side the US. I am not going to talk about Ertl toys made in China, etc, but instead a small manufacturer in Argentina. In 1978, Sigomec, an Argentina company was given the rights to produce John Deere tractors. At the time Argentina Import/Export laws made it more feasible to have toys made in their country than to have them imported into it.

Sigomec produce five models. These toys were produced in limited quantities but are not extremely hard to find.

The two popular models in this set are the Sound-Gard 30 series tractors. The two major variations are an agricultural green and an industrial yellow model. These models are very similar to the Ertl historical set models. The last variation deals with how the wheels are fastened to the tractor. One version has the wheels riveted on. The other variation has the wheels pushed onto the axle. There is a solid metal rod that both the front and rear wheels get pushed onto. These variations are found on both color variations. I have also found a mixed axle variation. Most likely this was a mistake, but an industrial yellow model has the wheels on the rear pushed on and the front wheels are attached with a rivet.

Sigomec also copied another model from the Ertl historical set. This time it was the model D. This toy may be a little more rare. I have only seen three of these models so I’m not sure if any variations exist. My model says John Deere on the side and the axle has a head on one end and the other end has been crimped.

No set is complete with out an implement to go with it. Sigomec produced two John Deere barge wagons. The only variations I know of are the green and yellow colors. The wheels are of the pushed on style. Both wagons say John Deere on the back and Sigomec Industria Argentina is stamped on the inside.

Some of my information was found in the book, International Directory of Model Farm Tractors & Implements featuring John Deere, by Ray Crilley and Charles Burkholder..

If you have any questions or comments on 1/64 toys please send me an email. MISTER164@HOTMAIL.COM

TTT March 2004 Page 2

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