by Robert Turk

In the November Toy Tractor Times I wrote about the grape harvest and the special harvesters used. I had several e-mails asking if there have been any toys made of grape harvesters.  So far there are only 2 grape harvester models made that I know of. The Siku made Braud SB64 and the Joal made Gregoire G122. The models are based off the European harvesters where the harvesters hold the berries in tanks on the back of the machines. While the US machines tend to use conveyors to move the grapes to tending tractors. There are some European style machines in the US but not many in my area.

Siku came out with the Braud SB64 a few years ago. This model has quite a bit of detail but is made with a lot of plastic. One of the best details of this model is the fold down step below the operators door.

The other harvester model is made by Joal out of Spain and is the Gregoire G122. This model is very nice and is quite heavy. Almost all of this model is made of metal and only small details are made of plastic. There is a very noticeable weight difference between the two models. As much as I like blue toys, if you only can get one model, get the Gregoire G122 from Joal. There is a lot of nice details on the Gregoire. Very clear cab windows to show the detail inside the cab, accurate beaters, great finishing touches with paint and decals and working cylinders on the dump bins. Overall a quality model at an affordable price.

TTT January 2004 Page 7