Review: 60461 Tractor with Trailer
Posted by benbacardi,
Another of this year's 4+ range of sets from LEGO City takes us out of the city boundaries and into the countryside, with 60461 Tractor with Trailer. This is the largest of the line up, at 116 pieces, and includes two minifigures and even a handful of animals!
Let's take a look at what's on offer and see if it lives up to the high expectations I've started to form for LEGO's lowest age range of sets.
Summary
60461 Tractor with Trailer, 116 pieces.
£17.99 / $19.99 / €19.99 | 15.5p / 17.2c / 17.2c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
An excellent 4+ set with great minifigures and a fun build.
- Great minifigures
- Excellent tractor model
- Four animals!
- None
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigures
The set comes with two minifigures—the farmer and his daughter. Both have plain, unprinted legs, and the farmer's wearing brown dungarees over a green open-necked shirt—a torso that was only previously available in 21353 The Botanical Garden. No hair is provided, but a blue cap sits atop his smiling, bearded face.
The girl's head and torso are both brand new, and they're excellent! Her expression looks slightly surprised, with raised eyebrows and an open mouth with a visible tongue, and she's wearing a hearing aid in her left ear. The body is a detailed print of a blue gingham shirt buttoned up to the collar, printed both back and front.
The Tractor
For a 4+ set, the main model is surprisingly detailed. It's built around a large chassis piece, but that's well hidden in the final model. There's room for a single minifigure on the open-topped tractor, which sports an exhaust in front of the cab, and headlights either side of a new printed tile representing the grille.
At the rear, a ball joint allows a trailer to be attached. The front tyres are smaller than the rear, representative of a real tractor, and giving the vehicle a slight forward rake. It manages to avoid a common complaint with the 4+ models of this size, by not looking very "blocky" or "square" at all.
The tractor comes with a trailer that can be hooked up, which is a simple flat-bed construction with low sides and an open rear. Although the build is very basic, the final model is great, and a perfect size for smaller hands to push around.
Aside from the minifigures, a handful of accessories are provided for the farmer and his daughter to transport around the farm, including some hay, a crate, and a couple of carrots. My favourite parts, however, are the animals—we get two adult sheep, a lamb, and a young dog! The dual-moulded sheep look excellent with their black legs and heads.
Conclusion
I've never paid too much attention to the 4+ sets before. Their instructions are simplified, the builds are basic, and they're clearly aimed at an audience very different to me. However, having been provided a few for review recently, they truly are excellent!
For such limited part counts, they seem to make them go a long way—and often include unique printed parts and great minifigures. This farm set is no exception. The tractor looks brilliant, particularly hooked up to a full trailer, and it's the perfect size for play with the target age group, and even older.
If you're looking to get your young child moving on from Duplo and starting with LEGO that requires more fine-grained motor control, I'd definitely recommend picking up some of this year's 4+ sets.
60461 Tractor with Trailer is available at LEGO.com for $19.99 / £17.99 / €19.99.
144 likes
42 comments on this article
It's a really nice set. I got it from Amazon for a third off and it's worth it for the animals and minifigs alone. The tractor and trailer are perfect for the amount of parts they use.
Those sheep are really cute.
Surprisingly good looking for a 4+ model and I'm a sucker for those animals. This is 20% discount bait for sure though so I'll wait.
This is pretty much a perfect set and 100% what Lego should be about - when I was the age this is aimed at (a long time ago) I was obsessed with tractors and trailers so I would have loved this then - I still like it now, realistic, high play value and good value.
I've enjoyed a lot of the recent 4+ sets. Sure, some of the juniorised sets have been terrible, but some of them are brilliant, and the tractor is definitely the latter. The tractor looks great, and the fact you get so many animals is a really cool bonus.
Classic stuff - this is what Lego is all about! Somehow, this manages to look modern and timeless all at once
Negative - The sheep don't come with the wool piece, that only comes in 60346.
For a 4+ Set it doesn't have many 4+ parts. Do with that info what you want...
Animal battle pack
Nice little set.
The color-matching on those overalls could definitely be better.... or worse (71037-9)!
For a 4+ set, really well shaped actually.
Large wheels do help hide the huge https://brickset.com/parts/6352696/waggon-bottom-4x10 piece.
The animals and tractor alone make it a nice set to complement my 30590 Definitely on my list!! (and i certainly don't feel 'sheepish' nor 'baaah-rmy' neither)
@Euroseb11 said:
"The animals and tractor alone make it a nice set to complement my 30590 Definitely on my list!! (and i certainly don't feel 'sheepish' nor 'baaah-rmy' neither)"
That's baaaaaad.
@jkb said:
"For a 4+ Set it doesn't have many 4+ parts."
4+ sets generally have exactly one "4+" part, the main chassis piece. The presence of a big monolithic chassis piece doesn't make a set 4+, though, see 60452. The fun part is that the requirement of a 4+ part is arbitrary - the trailer in this set doesn't use any 4+ parts, and is a separate build of similar complexity to the tractor itself.
Both 4+ and 5+ sets are all printed. 6+ sets are where stickers start to be used.
4+ sets can use some of the smallest parts, like the 1x1 round plates in this set, so minimum piece size isn't part of the 4+ definition.
Given that the big 4+ pieces could in theory be eliminated from 4+ sets without really increasing the maximum complexity for the age (e.g. an alternate version of 60450 designed without the big chassis brick would still have fewer parts than this set), I think there's exactly one thing that really defines 4+ sets: no technic pins. The technic pin connection itself is OK (the big chassis in this set uses them for the wheels), but the pins themselves as loose parts are what I think is the hardest line between 4+ sets and 5+ sets.
Very good looking set. I guess it might be time to upgrade one of my last '1st Lego Age' sets! 604-2
(P.S. Have to say R.I.P. Rick Buckler... A sad loss to memories of youth)
@gearwheel said:
" @jkb said:
"For a 4+ Set it doesn't have many 4+ parts."
4+ sets generally have exactly one "4+" part, the main chassis piece. The presence of a big monolithic chassis piece doesn't make a set 4+, though, see 60452. The fun part is that the requirement of a 4+ part is arbitrary - the trailer in this set doesn't use any 4+ parts, and is a separate build of similar complexity to the tractor itself.
Both 4+ and 5+ sets are all printed. 6+ sets are where stickers start to be used.
4+ sets can use some of the smallest parts, like the 1x1 round plates in this set, so minimum piece size isn't part of the 4+ definition.
Given that the big 4+ pieces could in theory be eliminated from 4+ sets without really increasing the maximum complexity for the age (e.g. an alternate version of 60450 designed without the big chassis brick would still have fewer parts than this set), I think there's exactly one thing that really defines 4+ sets: no technic pins. The technic pin connection itself is OK (the big chassis in this set uses them for the wheels), but the pins themselves as loose parts are what I think is the hardest line between 4+ sets and 5+ sets."
Technic pins are definitely used in some 4+ sets though—for example, ones that use the 4+ motorcycle chassis piece like 11198.
I feel like it's harder to define 4+ sets purely by parts so much as by techniques. For example, 4+ sets can use Technic and SNOT connections, but they aren't going to use the sorts of vertical locking techniques that would require kids to understand Lego's particular 5-to-6 brick dimensions. Buildings are more likely to use big, easy to assemble panels or window frames to make their builds quicker and sturdier. They can use hinges but they're unlikely to lock them at both ends to create complex fixed angles that are "off-grid". There's a lot of thought that goes into what techniques are accessible to what age ranges, especially for these youngest builders.
Great set - very generous to include so many animals and TWO minifigs in such a small pack.
Always love to see more farm sets. Will probably pick this up on discount, the animals and figures are great, and that tractor could be modded pretty easily.
The front looks vaguely Caterham-ish.
I bought this online without even realising it was a 4+ set. Speaks for how good the model looks in its own right, then.
This year's 4+ City sets have got to be the best 4+ sets to date!
@gearwheel said:
" @jkb said:
"For a 4+ Set it doesn't have many 4+ parts."
4+ sets generally have exactly one "4+" part, the main chassis piece. The presence of a big monolithic chassis piece doesn't make a set 4+, though, see 60452. The fun part is that the requirement of a 4+ part is arbitrary - the trailer in this set doesn't use any 4+ parts, and is a separate build of similar complexity to the tractor itself.
Both 4+ and 5+ sets are all printed. 6+ sets are where stickers start to be used.
4+ sets can use some of the smallest parts, like the 1x1 round plates in this set, so minimum piece size isn't part of the 4+ definition.
Given that the big 4+ pieces could in theory be eliminated from 4+ sets without really increasing the maximum complexity for the age (e.g. an alternate version of 60450 designed without the big chassis brick would still have fewer parts than this set), I think there's exactly one thing that really defines 4+ sets: no technic pins. The technic pin connection itself is OK (the big chassis in this set uses them for the wheels), but the pins themselves as loose parts are what I think is the hardest line between 4+ sets and 5+ sets."
There are 4+ sets with technic pins
Welcome back sheep, now meet the Wolfpack Beastmaster
Just like that Loader last week, another solid 4+ set! Okay, I do kinda feel the one piece chassis does hurt the looks of the front a bit, but not terribly so. But everything else is properly build up, simple but not in a bad way. Despite the terrible PPP and only a single print to make up for that, I honestly don't really mind the pricing, the play value is clearly there.
If it weren't for the front edge of the chassis piece, I would not have thought this was 4+.
It's a real shame 6388078 is out of production. I guess not even LEGO thought that the sheep would come back.
@SMC said:
"Negative - The sheep don't come with the wool piece, that only comes in 60346."
That 60346 sheep with wool will become the new GOAT!!! I'm talking about the one in
7189 Mill Village Raid
I wouldn't have guessed this was 4+. The chassis is a bit blocky but that's about it really. It looks like a regular build otherwise. Cool...?
I like that the 4+ sets are straying from the block chassis, it tends to make all builds that use it look very similar. This and 60450 are simple but look unique enough to fit in with other City vehicles.
Shame they didn't include the wool element for the sheep, it's a fun educational-play toy that teaches kids how and where wool comes from (there's adults out there who think sheep have to be slaughtered for wool....)
@StyleCounselor said:
" @Euroseb11 said:
"The animals and tractor alone make it a nice set to complement my 30590 Definitely on my list!! (and i certainly don't feel 'sheepish' nor 'baaah-rmy' neither)"
That's baaaaaad."
Oh, ewe...
Lego set for children still has artistic integrity
Nature is healing
Looks great for a 4+ set. 60463 Fire truck is not so fortunate. This set, with all the animals and the minifugres, is a great play set.
@TheOtherMike said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @Euroseb11 said:
"The animals and tractor alone make it a nice set to complement my 30590 Definitely on my list!! (and i certainly don't feel 'sheepish' nor 'baaah-rmy' neither)"
That's baaaaaad."
Oh, ewe..."
Don't be mean. I didn’t mean mutton by it.
I like those farming sets, wish they had more of them.
@StyleCounselor said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @Euroseb11 said:
"The animals and tractor alone make it a nice set to complement my 30590 Definitely on my list!! (and i certainly don't feel 'sheepish' nor 'baaah-rmy' neither)"
That's baaaaaad."
Oh, ewe..."
Don't be mean. I didn’t mean mutton by it."
To err is human, to forgive ovine.
@mafon2 said:
"I like those farming sets, wish they had more of them."
Always pleased to see them!
@TheOtherMike said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @Euroseb11 said:
"The animals and tractor alone make it a nice set to complement my 30590 Definitely on my list!! (and i certainly don't feel 'sheepish' nor 'baaah-rmy' neither)"
That's baaaaaad."
Oh, ewe..."
Don't be mean. I didn’t mean mutton by it."
To err is human, to forgive ovine."
Oh, now you're just bleating it to death.
@StyleCounselor said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @Euroseb11 said:
"The animals and tractor alone make it a nice set to complement my 30590 Definitely on my list!! (and i certainly don't feel 'sheepish' nor 'baaah-rmy' neither)"
That's baaaaaad."
Oh, ewe..."
Don't be mean. I didn’t mean mutton by it."
To err is human, to forgive ovine."
Oh, now you're just bleating it to death. "
So what you're saying is, "Fleece stop?"
@TheOtherMike said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @Euroseb11 said:
"The animals and tractor alone make it a nice set to complement my 30590 Definitely on my list!! (and i certainly don't feel 'sheepish' nor 'baaah-rmy' neither)"
That's baaaaaad."
Oh, ewe..."
Don't be mean. I didn’t mean mutton by it."
To err is human, to forgive ovine."
Oh, now you're just bleating it to death. "
So what you're saying is, "Fleece stop?""
Please, pull the wool over my eyes.
Great review! I agree.
10 out of 10
Cute set. But I got 6 of the far superior 60346 on deep clearance so paid not much more for a tonne of extra animals/parts. And don’t need any more Tractors
This set is a dream if you find it at a decent discount. 2 sheep and a lamb and a doggy would be about 8 euro themselves - and you get 2 minifigs with that and the nice tractor. I will get at least 5 of these for the sheepsies if they don't return to PAB.
I LOVE this set…
Only the third ever set to have sheep
First ever set to have TWO sheep
And I’ve seen it heavily discounted in the UK at lots of retailers for only £10 !