Life-Like HO tractors

[jrbernier]

I bought several packages of Life-Like tractors at a train show this past week-end. My plan is to use them for flat car loads. Can anyone tell me what prototype tractor these are modeled after? The come in red(Farmall) and yellow/green(John Deere). I think they may be John Deere, but I would like to know if they are a copy any any certain model of tractor?

Jim Bernier

[michealfarley]

The Green and Yellow tractor that I bought is too dark green to be a John Deere. It is painted to match the older Oliver tractors.

[Anonymous]

I agree that the green tractor looks like an Oliver, probably a 70 or 77 from I'd guess the 40s or early 50s. The red tractor looks a lot like an International Farmall M or 300/400 model from the same time period.

[wd45]

Just sitting here reading about Life-Like's miniature Olivers and what do I happen to be wearing??? My Oliver tee shirt! [:D]
Along these same lines...I'm modeling the 1970's and being a tractor buff as well, would like to have some tractors from that era. Anyone know where I can get some HO Minneapolis-Molines and Allis Chalmers?
Mike

[Anonymous]

Model Railroader did a little article about turning these tractors into flat car loads....In maybe the past two years.. The author had a pretty clear prototype in mind and a couple of modifiactions to make them exact. Maybe some one haa the issue date????

Guy

[jrbarney]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Trainnut1250

Model Railroader did a little article about turning these tractors into flat car loads....In maybe the past two years.. The author had a pretty clear prototype in mind and a couple of modifiactions to make them exact. Maybe some one haa the issue date????

Guy

Jim,
It's the July 2002 issue of Model Railroader, pages 64-65, "A flatcar full of tractors," by Trevor Marshall. You may also be interested in:
"Tractor makes great flat car load," Pete Moffett, NMRA Bulletin, January 1997, pages 30-31
"Rip Track/Visible Cargo," Tim Persson, NMRA Bulletin, October 1982, pages 20-21
"Modelling Farm Tractor Loads," Tim Persson, NMRA Bulletin, April 2001, pages 31-34
I recently bought 3 Waterloo Boy vintage tractors from Athearn for a load. They were absorbed into John Deere.
Bob
NMRA Life 0543

[Anonymous]

One small (or large) problem. Whether they are Farmall M's or Oliver 70's or 77's. They are grossly out of scale. Look at the John Deere B from Athearn or the Ertl John Deere line (that used to only be available from John Deere dealers) They are all to big! I spent too much time as a kid on all 3 makes. The Deere's (mostly model A's, 60's, and 720's) dwarfed the M's and 70's.
Same thing goes for (notso) Life-Like's Scenemaster pickups and cars. They look more like S scale, especially when parked next to comparable models from Williams Bros, Greg's garage, Magnuson and others.