John Deere 140 with garden tools

In 2001 the first John Deere Precision model was introduced by Ertl.  This model was the John Deere 110.  The 110 was Deere's first lawn and garden tractor, back in 1963.  In just three years John Deere sold 22, 280 110's.  Customers liked the 7 hp, Kohler powered tractor.  The 110 could work a home stead with a belly mower, front blade, snow thrower, rear tiller and dump cart.  The mower, snow thrower and tiller were powered by a variable-speed V-belt that was established in John Deere's 5 series combines like the 45, 55, 95 and 105.  The 110 with its 38 inch mower launched one of today's best known lawn mowing lines.  John Deere's consumer line has grown to include a variety of tractors and mowers sold through Deere dealers and home centers like Home Depot.  The Deere name is viewed by the public as a premium mower.

Ertl produced the the original 110 in Precision with the popular combination of a mower and dump cart.  The 110 has great detail with levers, tip up hood, deck blades and authentic graphics.  The 110 is a great Precision and cab be purchased today for as little as $39.99.

Lawn & Garden Precision #1 John Deere 110

The 110 was followed by the the 14 hp model 140 in 1967.  The 140 was John Deere's first hydrostatic drive lawn and garden tractor, and had three hydraulic circuits, an industry first.  The triple function hydraulic system, provided independent finger tip control of front, center and rear mounted implements.   The 140 offered a rear pto for a rotor tiller, automotive-type rear breaks, dual head lights, rear tail lights and even a standard cigarette lighter.

Ertl will release a Precision 140 this summer.  It will be the second in the Lawn and Garden Precision series.  Last month it was my impression that the Patio set would be the number two.   The Patio tractors are a stand alone collectors edition set.  The #2 John Deere 140 will come with weighted Ag tires for garden work.  The 140 will be accompanied with garden implements including a single bottom plow, disk, cultivator and corn planter.  Ertl has gone all out to equip the garden side of the 140 Lawn and Garden tractor.

The patio set that I reviewed last month has come as a nice surprise.  It was only produced for two years by John Deere.  The Patio tractors were marketed to suburban home owners to attract them to come into a John Deere dealer to purchase a lawn mower.  The colors included included spruce blue, sunset orange, patio red and April yellow.  The 110 through the 140 Lawn & Garden tractors were available in the designer colors.  Traditional John Deere green and yellow was also available.

Ertl will release all four colors of the Patio set in 2004 with a variety of  option including a mower on the blue 140, snow thrower on the orange 140, blade on the red 140 and roto-tiller on the yellow 140.  Each model will be boxed individually.  I think that many dealers will sell the 140's as a set.  Initial prices I have at on-line toy dealers look likes the set will set in the $260 and up price range.  At first a collector may say, "wow that is a big price."  If you divide the price by four, you are looking at $65 per model.  With all the extras included on the Patio series 140's, it is a good price.

Many collectors have asked me what I think of the set and if I will buy it.  The answer is yes and yes.  Ertl produced the patio set in 1/16 scale back in 1969.  This set has become one of the most desired items in the hobby.  A Patio tractor out of the box will bring $242 and in the box $383.  The most fabled version of the Patio set is the dealer display boxed set.  This dealer set was pictured in the April TTT.   It will sell for as much as $4,900.  It would have been easy for Ertl to re-release die-cast versions of the 140 to meet collectors demand for the Patio 140's.  Instead Ertl has taken an extra step to offer the 140 as a Precision.  I am impressed by the detail and options included on the new 140's.  They offer a level of detail never imagined on a toy in 1969.  A Precision series is a great way to honor the Patio series on its 35th anniversary.

I feel that if you are interested in the set , you will not regret buying it.  It is a separate collectors edition for John Deere dealers only.  I think this set will disappear from dealer shelves quickly.  It will probably not be produced in large quantities, driving up demand in the near future.  It will be interesting to review this set a year from now.

Ertl Patio set and John Deere 140 introduction flyer

I  welcome your questions please email them to me at precisionphil@hotmail.com.  Remember to collect what you like and like what you collect.