by Jason Hasert

 

The Latest in the Long Green Line: John Deere 7820

This fall John Deere has a new generation of of 7000 series tractor in the field.  The all new large-frame 7020 series are setting the new bench mark in the 140-190 hp tractor class.  In 1992 Deere & Co.  revolutionized this hp class when it departed from its tried and true Sound-Gard design and introduced the 7000 series. 

The new 1/64 7820 offers impressive new detail for a shelf edition model.  As we saw in the "Keeping Current with 64th" series on 1/64 tractor tires 1973 to 2003 detail is always improving in 1/64.  The new 7820 really stands out compared to the 1/64 Sound-Gard tractors of the 70's and 80's and even the 7000 series of the 90's.  

The new features not offered before on a shelf edition in 1/64 include gps, flood lights and extended cab steps. 

Setting new standards in the field and the shelf.

     The 7820 is a big frame mid-sized tractor. That is a mouthful to say but the picture above says it all.  From left to right we see a 7810, 7920 and 8120.  The new 7x20 stands out towering over the 7x10 and almost matching the 8x20 in stature.

       The 1/64 7820 size also stands out just like the real thing.  Above is a picture of the 2001 7710, 2003 7820 and 2002 European 8420 by Ertl.  The 7820 toy really stands out in the 64th line up.  The 7820 also shows it size over the competition.  Here we see a New Holland TG 210 sized up to the 7820.  The TG is a full size tractor but the 7820 matches up and may cause a farmer to look to the mid-sized tractor because of the big frame and similar horse power.   

 

The 1/64 7820 shares many common detail  features with the Fall Farm Show 720. 

 

 The 7820 follows the Fall Farm Show 7920 released in September 2003.  The 7920 by far is the most impressive 1/64 replica from Ertl to date.  The 7920 has cab windows, painted flood lights, door lights, flashers, gps, front and rear mud flaps along with a rear 3pt hitch. The 7920 even has a silver nose point painted hood point.

 The 7820 offers many of the same details unpainted.  It is nice to see items carry over like the gps and flood lights. It will be interesting to see if AGCO, CaseIH and New Holland toy tractors have these features in the future.

 A few differences can be found between the 7820 and 7920.  A significant decal difference can be found on the grille.  The 7820 has the Deere logo between the head lights where the 7920 is missing the logo altogether.   The 7920 also features mud flaps over the fwa and extensions over the rear tires.  The 7920's cab windows also lend extra detail with flood lights ahead of the doors on both sides.  The 7820 toy has no windows and is open air. 

 The back side of the 1/64 7920 vs. the 7820 show some major differences. The 7920's 3pt hitch gives it strong detail  that collectors hope to see on more collectors editions.  The 7820 does not have a 3pt hitch.  You can also the fenders are completely different.  The 7920 has mud guard extensions on the fenders and the break lights are on top of the fenders by the cab.  The 7820 shelf edition does not have the mud guards and the break lights are at the edges of the fenders.  You can also see all of the paint detail on the 7920's cab top with 4 painted flood lights in black and silver and the hazard lights.  The 7820 has these lights casted but they are just green plastic and do not stand out as much. They are still a welcome detail for collectors despite not being painted. 

 

TTT October 2003 Page 10

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