A close look at Phase II 1957: 420V

By Bill Proft

Those of you who read my articles regularly know that I pick at the details of miniature tractors and the associated equipment. I do that for a couple of reasons. First, I want folks who are considering the purchase of these items to understand what is right and wrong with the model before they spend their money. In essence, I would like my readers to be informed consumers. Next, I think that the toy manufacturers need to know what they have done right and wrong. Of course I am only one opinion in a vast array of collectors, but I truly want everyone to look at their models closely and offer constructive criticism to the manufacturers. Hopefully some of my comments provide that spark to have others voice their likes and dislikes. Finally, I feel that constructive criticism continually leads to better models. I believe that anyone who collects miniatures would subscribe to that thinking.
The model this month is a fine example of some new innovations and details, along with the issues that can sometimes come about as a result. The Two-Cylinder Club has worked with Ertl nearly every year since the inception of its Expos to produce a model of a particular John Deere tractor. In the past I have been somewhat critical of the models that were chosen since they tended to be the more obscure tractors that few people had ever seen, or heard about, for that matter. But that is what gives these models a character all of their own. This series of miniatures is unlike any other in that it consists of some truly rare models. If most of us will never see a real one first hand, why not produce it in miniature? Actually it is a very good idea. Add to that the fact that many of these models push the envelope for level of detail on a collector’s edition type model. Ultimately that provides better detail on subsequent models since the Two-Cylinder versions are often used as the basis for other collector’s edition and regular edition units. In general terms, I have to say that the theory behind this series of miniatures is sound, despite the fact that I don’t agree with all of the practices used in the promotion.
For Expo XIII held this past July, the model was the 420V Phase II tractor of 1957 vintage. Once again Ertl produced the model in 1/16th scale. The stock number is 16101. In the past, some of the cartons used for the Expo models have been very elaborate and highly decorative items. I especially like the fact that in this case the carton is simple. It is an all white box with black lettering exclusively. The top and ends carry a four-legged leaping deer logo and identification of the model. The front panel has a black and white aerial photograph of the Dubuque Tractor Works from 1956. The rear panel provides a quick historical description of the real 420V tractor. The bottom panel carries the usual website information for Ertl and Deere, along with the current Deere logo and Two-Cylinder Club logo.
Inside, a new packaging technique is used. Rather than the usual cardboard support structure, a molded clear plastic case is provided. It comes in two halves which completely enclose the miniature and provide the necessary support for shipment. A small third molded piece is installed under the three-point hitch to provide some protection as well. While the plastic does nothing for environmental friendliness, it does do a nice job in protecting the model.
I am going to take a somewhat reverse version of the review for this tractor to make a point. One of the first things that catches the eyes and gives us that initial “good model” or “bad model” feeling is the wheel and tire combination. Just like badly worn tires or paint on the tires can make an otherwise nice “restoration” look bad, wrong size, incorrect shape and little detail can make a good miniature not so appealing. In this case, these items are near excellent. Gone are the black axle caps and green center hubs. The front wheels are secured to their spindles with tiny hubs. The mounting hardware detail and appropriate holes and slots are provided. Likewise with the rear wheels. Mounting hardware, slots, holes and even the mounting hubs are faithfully reproduced. The “axles” are flat black and contain a small groove like the real thing. All of the tires are generic items, but very accurate in size and shape. In fact, they appear to be new items manufactured for this model. Obviously, someone spent considerable amounts of time to create a good first impression.
The downfall is with the execution. While the detail is there, the quality of assembly is not. The front wheel assemblies are not tight. The front wheels are loose enough that the model can steer without the use of the steering wheel. The rear wheels do not run true since they are not mounted straight to the axle. That bothers me. There is no excuse for having parts installed incorrectly on these expensive models. Fixtures for assembly were either inadequate or nonexistent. The truth is that these tractors are meant to be shelf display items, so I suppose steering doesn’t really matter. However, let’s get it right if we are going to bother.
The front and rear axle assemblies are loaded with detail. I’m quite sure that the number of individual components provides that high level of detail at the sacrifice of tightness in the steering and wheel attachment. The front axle and vertical spindles are one cast piece attached to the underside of the tractor with a single rivet that provides for side to side oscillation. Each wheel is secured to a stub shaft that is part of an “L-shaped” spindle, which slides through a hole in the vertical spindle of the front axle. The “L-shaped” spindles are connected to the single tie-rod assembly through a cast arm, which is riveted to the tie rod and the spindle. Essentially, the real steering system has been reproduced in miniature. Even the rods which limit front axle oscillation are present.
The rear axle area includes the axles, drop boxes and corresponding axle shafts. Everything is reproduced with very good detail. “Mounting bolts” and necessary “hardware” is cast in place in all areas where it should be. Individually cast fenders, complete with vertical stiffening ribs, are secured to the axles with small black screws from the underside of the model. This hides them from view and provides further realism. The drawbar assembly is a combination of brackets cast into the drop boxes on each side and horizontal flat pieces riveted to them for strength. The large piece of flat stock with a huge hole for miniature implements is gone. Instead, an accurately sized drawbar and tiny hole have been provided.
The three-point hitch assembly is new on this tractor in that most of it moves and all of the components are manufactured in plastic. The color match between the plastic and metal is near perfect. The upper and lower links, draft arms and center link are all there. Even the adjustment crank has been reproduced as a cast item. The linkages can be adjusted up and down due to a number of small silver rivets having been used to connect them and attach them to the rest of the tractor. The plastic used for the parts is very soft and can be bent easily. I find that annoying, but understand the regulations that must be followed to prevent child injury. No doubt these items will be used on some future regular edition models. I also feel that it would have been a nice touch to paint these items green to make them less obvious. That tiny touch-up item can be left as a winter evening project at some point.
The seat is a one-piece black plastic item. It has a shiny appearance and slippery feel and texture. Some of the other more recent models have had a “rubber” seat that looks and feels more like the real thing. To the right of the seat is the quadrant that holds the “Touch-O-Matic” controls. These levers, along with the throttle and gear shift levers, have flat black knobs as an added feature. The dash is correctly painted flat black and has the speed-hour meter, ammeter and water temperature gauges provided in white lettering. In fact, the temperature gauge even has tiny green and red areas for the temperature ranges. The detail of these items rivals that found on the Precision Classics series. The brake and clutch pedals do not move, but their detail and accuracy is good. The horizontal ribs provided on the real tractors to prevent the operator’s foot from slipping have been reproduced on these items.
The hood and engine area is the other part of the model that initially catches the eyes, along with the wheels and tires. In this case, a very good job was also done. All of the sheet metal details, the grille screens and even the quarter-turn fastening hardware have been cast in place. While the radiator cap is part of the hood casting, the air intake stack, breather cap and fuel cap are all individual pieces that have been cemented to the hood. The fuel cap is painted red, which appears to be technically incorrect. Gasoline versions of the real 420 tractors had green fuel caps. However, in the interest of safety, most collectors choose to paint the caps red. I’m sure that the folks at Ertl took measurements off a restored model and followed suit. No real problem there, I suppose.
The muffler is beautifully detailed and includes a spot of black paint at the top to represent the hole in the center. It is painted silver as it should be. Black head lamps with silver lenses are provided at the front of the tractor, along with an identical work lamp at the rear behind the seat. All of the engine components have been reproduced with very crisp casting lines. The fuel tank, fuel sediment bowl, air cleaner canister, carburetor, oil filter canister, distributor and oil pan with drain plug can be seen. Even the “hooks” under the brake and clutch pedals used to attach a cultivator have been provided.
The overall finish of the model is near excellent. The paint is smooth and has a very high gloss. Even the yellow appears to be correct. Once in a while, a paler or a brighter yellow than John Deere yellow is used, but not the case here. The yellow hood stripe with green block John Deere lettering and black-outlined 420 designation is created with a type of silk-screening process. The results are beautiful. The silver-outlined leaping deer emblem on the nose is done in the same way. The only disappointment with the graphics is the other small decals. The air cleaner instruction plate, manufacturer’s plate on the transmission housing, the “Be Careful” plate at the rear and the “Touch-O-Matic” plate under the seat are all just that—decals. As a result, they are not straight and they tend to lift from the model. Their detail and accuracy, however, is good. If you turn the model over, you will find a cast inscription below the operator’s platform that states: “Two-Cylinder Expo XIII-2003.” That is your assurance of an authentic model.
The price for this piece was $59.95 plus $7 shipping. For most models these days, that seems to be in line. Collector’s edition models are usually in the $40-$45 range for similar sized items. This being a rather unique item with limited availability pushes the price a bit. As always, we will never know exactly how many were produced since that is a Two-Cylinder Club secret for some reason. Hence my dislike for the promotion behind these models. By the time you are reading this article, no doubt the 420V will no longer be available through the Two-Cylinder Club. However, you should be able to find them through the aftermarket toy dealers. It is a nice model for the price and certainly adds some interest to the “20 series” lineup of John Deere miniatures.
One last note: The tractor model for next year’s Expo has already been announced as the 830 electric start Rice Special. Since Ertl has not produced any 830 model to date, that will be a welcome addition for most miniature collectors. I will pass along information as it becomes available.
Bill Proft can be reached at N1366 Woodland Drive, Greenville, WI 54942 or at wproft1529@aol.com.