In more than one respect, Ertl, long the most celebrated name in diecast toy tractors, is much like Tonka: both were founded shortly after World War II in the basements of enterprising Midwesterners. Although Ertl, also like Tonka, has produced countless toy trucks, this book will focus solely on the Iowa toymaker's true bread and butter: toy tractors produced from 1945 to present. Two hundred color photos depict Ertl's 1/16- and 1/64-scale tractors, up close with theater-gel backgrounds, diecast implements, and the sort of plastic injection-molded farmers and livestock with which Ertl has often packaged its tractors. Accompanying the is the story of how this Dyersville-based company grew by leaps and bounds, including founder Fred Ertls' first licensing of some of these companies' names and actual designs in 1945 , the family-based assembly line he and his wife established in their home, Ertl's renowned commitment to quality, and the incredible detail that goes into today's precision-made scale models.- Most collectible toy tractors available today are produced by Ertl- The truly American story of how an unemployed immigrant foundryman licensed the designs of ag giants I-H and J-D, melted surplus aluminum aircraft pistons in his basement furnace, poured the slag into hand-made sand molds, and put his five sons to work assembling and painting the tractors at the kitchen table- New 1/16 scale Ertl tractors typically sell in the $60 price range; most highly collectible vintage examples in the mid-three-figure range- WalMart is the #1 customer; followed by Farm & Fleet- Ertl, celebrating its 60th Anniversary, is the 900 pound gorilla in this categoryAbout the AuthorPatrick Ertel is the publisher for Antique Power magazine. Catherine Lee Phillips provided the photography for the book. They both live in Yellow Springs, Ohio.

A detailed Reference Guide to Metal Pedal Tractors with full color pictures. Small model toy tractors have been on the market since the 1920's but pedal tractors were not produced until the late 1940's. The first pedal tractor, a John Deere Model A was produced by Eska in 1949. It is prized by collectors and can bring a high price in good condition. Ertl came out with pedal tractors shortly after Eska and continues to produce them today. Scale Models has also manufactured pedal tractors since the 1980's in their U.S. based plant. Since the 1970's pedal tractors have enjoyed renewed popularity mostly due to their collectability. Today approximately sixty percent of all pedal tractors are sold to collectors. The other forty percent are sold for use by children. Collecting and use of these mini tractors as riding toys are not mutually exclusive. Kids can enjoy riding them and the value will still increase over time if they are not abused. Kids love pedal tractors, in part because they are much like the real thing. Children age's three to seven are the perfect age to enjoy these special toy tractors. One popular event at many county fairs is the kiddie tractor pull. These pulls are just like tractor pulls for adults but with pedal tractors they operate under kid power only. The following tractors are included in the new book: Agco Allis, All American, Allis Chalmers, Case, Case International, Caterpillar, Cub Cadet, Duetz-Allis, Farmall, Farmer Boy, Ford, Heisler, Heston, International, John Deere, Kubota, Massey Harris, Massey Ferguson, Minneapolis Moline, New Holland, Oliver, Tractol, White, & White Oliver. Also includes custom models, parts, scale model private issues, trailers, and umbrellas.

Tractor Mac: Worth the Wait stars the lovable pigs, Pete and Paul, as they learn the importance of patience when they try (unsuccessfully) to speed along the growth of Farmer Bill's prize watermelons.

Generations have fallen in love with this classic story of a grandson and grandfather whose visit to a family farm with a special tractor brings back memories. Don't miss the new companion title Grandma's Farm — now available! Grandpa Joe takes his grandson Timmy back to the site of his family’s farm, where the old house and a ramshackle barn still stand. The visit stirs up memories for Grandpa Joe—in particular, the majesty of his own father's shiny red tractor, now rusting in the forgotten fields. An ideal gift, this picture book evokes nostalgia while demonstrating a special bond between a grandparent and grandchild.

You have seen the big ones in the fields, here are the toy versions. Over 1000 farm model and pedal tractors are illustrated with detailed information about their manufacturers and model changes for many countries of the world. The models are organized and numerically coded in groups by the makers of the full size tracors including John Deere, Ford, International, etc., and include vital information for each one, including their scale and model makers. An index guides you right to your reference.