In March 2003 The Toy Tractor Times debuted its new on-line format with a report on new farm toys from the Lafayette Toy Show. We follow up last years issue with the 2004 installment of new Ertl farm toys from Lafayette.

Bill Walter from RC2/Ertl was on hand at the show to show several new Ertl farm toys and take collectors questions, ideas and comments. These were some of the common questions Bill took and answered at the show:

  #1.  When is the next Prestige unit coming out?   Our current plans have new Prestige combines being introduced in 2005. 

#2.  When will the next Lawn & Garden Precision be announced?  Will it be a Cub Cadet?  We are working on the flyer for the next Lawn & Garden Precision which should go out this Summer.  No, it will not be a Cub Cadet.  We no longer have a license to produce Cub Cadet replicas.

 #3.  What are your plans for the 1/32 & 1/64 vintage MF 4WD tractors introduced at the Lafayette Show.   We will be doing the model 1500 MF tractor as the Toy Farmer show tractor for the National Show.  Our current plans are to offer other versions, including the 1800 and 1505/1805 as versions for AGCO dealers.  When we have more definite plans, we'll let you know. 

#4.  Where's the John Deere air seeder?   This project is being worked on now and we should have something late in the year.  We didn't get this project started as soon as we should have, and there has been a delay. 

#5.  What will we see new for AGCO?  What can you tell us?   Obviously we'll be doing a version of the Allis Chalmers Two Ten for AGCO dealers in 1/16th. I also received information that we can do a Oliver 1750 from our 1950T tooling.  We'll be investigating this.   I also believe I remember a request for a 1/64th AC tractor with Hiniker Cab.  We're working on this. 

#6.  Can you give us an update on 1/32nd?  For John Deere we have the 9880STS combine, SP Forage Harvester, grain cart and vintage 4020.  For Case IH we're doing the European AFX, and a couple more items I can't divulge yet.  We've been asked to produce a 1/32nd NH TG tractor which we're exploring.  There are more items, but I can't tell you yet. 

#7.  What is new in construction?  We've already announced a new 1/50th JD bulldozer, wheel loader and log skidder.  Expect to see additional new models this Fall from JD.  We've also finalized agreements with Case to produce two new units for late 2004/early 2005.  

#8.  With the JD 6030 coming out, what versions and other models are planned for older JD tractors?  Our JD 200th birthday series of tractors include a unstyled "BW", 4520 w/Hiniker Cab (With cab glass), 4020 w/WF and JD cab, and the newly tooled 830 two cylinder tractor.  We also have a modern JD tractor in the works as well. 

#9.  What about new 1/32nd Precisions?  Nothing planned for 2004, but we do have 2 units for 2005 if all plans work out. 

#10.  What else can you tell us?  It was nice to talk to everyone.  We try to look at the messages every day, so keep giving us feedback.  Just remember whatever you wish for today, might not show up for a year or two.

John Deere: Ertl had several new John Deere replicas on hand at the show for collectors to preview. In 1/16 scale new 4010 high crop, Buck ATV, X485 Lawn and Garden Tractor, new 4x4 Gator, Gold Edition 1 of 200 Special Edition BW tractors, 4520 with Hinker cab, . There were some new 1/32 items including the European 7920 and 7020 4wd. The new 1/64 8020 was 8020 and 80, 820 and 830 set were on display. If you liked the John Deere 9420 and 9420T and combine best-lock sets in 2003 you will like the follow up tractor sets, including a row crop tractor, loader tractor and classic tractor.

CaseIH: Had a few surprises on hand including a 1/32 European version of the AFX 8010 combine. The new Euro AFX will be released in the United States later this summer and will only have a wheat header. The new tire model of the STX 500 Steiger was on hand. This model has some minor revisions in the muffler and has large dual tires. No doubt the new monster 4wd will be plowing up some display fields soon. In 1/16 scale Ertl has a new version of the collectors edition MXU125 with cab windows out. This version features the LX156 loader exclusively for the 2004 World Pork Expo Farm Toy Show at the Iowa State Fair Grounds on June 10-12 2004. CaseIH has a big 1/16 surprise in store for collectors this spring with a new 1/16 STX 500 Steiger paired with a 1/64 chromed STX 500. The 20^th CaseIH Precision model was also on hand. It is the Farmall MV and it will be the last of the first series of CaseIH Precision models that date back to 1990. The MV is packaged with a poster featuring all 20 CaseIH Precision Classics. Ertl does have a stand alone Precision Farmall 400 with front mounted cultivators on the way for 2004. This model is not part of the number Precision set.  The cultivator Farmall 400 will help celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the IH Hundred series.  Collectors will eagerly await the announcement of first Precision in the next generation of the CaseIH Precision line.