Review: 60490 Snowplough
Posted by CapnRex101,
I think 60083 Snowplough Truck marked a step forward in LEGO City vehicles in 2015, given the truck's authenticity and clever functions. 60490 Snowplough will surely struggle to stand out as much as the prior snowplough, considering the quality of LEGO trucks nowadays.
Nevertheless, I think the vehicle looks superb, although its greatest strength is arguably the functional salt spreader. I was pleased with the simulated version on the 2015 truck, but this one actually distributes 1x1 round plates from the back!
Summary
60490 Snowplough, 263 pieces.
£19.99 / $27.99 / €24.99 | 7.6p, 10.6c, 9.5c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
Though not my favourite of these City trucks, the Snowplough is excellent for play
- Attractive colours and realistic design
- Clever and compact function
- Decorated parts are printed
- Plough looks a bit awkward
- Salt spreader is inconsistent
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigure
A single minifigure is included, but one is enough for this kind of vehicle. As always, the vibrant yellow high visibility jacket looks excellent with its reflective strips, while matching details adorn the legs. The torso has appeared many times before, but the printed legs are new. Furthermore, the beanie and moustachioed head both work well.
This character is equipped with a shovel and a broom for clearing snow from narrower spaces where the snowplough cannot reach, but those accessories are attached to the vehicle.
The Completed Model
Realism is prized in modern LEGO City vehicles and this example certainly resembles its real-world equivalents. The lovely green and white colours correspond with 60495 Recycling Truck and the electrical service truck from 60505 Airplane, Service Truck & Hovercraft Remix, so this colour combination presumably denotes service vehicles in general.
Orange is a good colour choice for the plough and the curvature looks splendid, using the 2x6 concave slopes introduced last year. I wish the plough was closer to the truck's body, although this design affords a full range of motion, turning the blade to either side on ball joints or raising it off the ground using click hinges.
I like the printed hazard stripes on the front and the cab includes opening doors, plus a sunroof. Like on 60478 Cement Mixer, the sunroof seems quite unsafe, although it was pointed out after my review of the Cement Mixer that the 5x6 roof piece with its sunroof fits better on these trucks than the similar 6x4 roof element used elsewhere.
Also, I am sure children will enjoy the sunroof, regardless of any safety concerns for the driver! On that subject, there is enough space for two minifigures inside and the roof is detachable for access, as normal. This is another City vehicle that features the new 2x6 plate with offset studs and stoppers for the doors.
The hinged cab is familiar as well, folding forward to reveal the engine underneath. This design is particularly simple, comprising only a 1x2 grille tile and two roller skates, so there is very little detail. Nonetheless, the engine works fine for play.
The aforementioned shovel and broom are clipped to the sides of the snowplough, beside two Minecraft ladders. Perhaps these are intended as ladders for a figure to climb onto the hopper, but they would double as removable traction boards, should this vehicle become stuck in deep snow.
Snowflakes are printed on both sides of the salt hopper and the hazard stripes on the back are printed as well, so no stickers are included. Moreover, the alternating red and white accents on the sides look excellent and there are containers for extra accessories underneath, although no more are actually supplied.
60083 Snowplough Truck included a simulated salt spreader on the back, whereas this model features a drum that rotates as the vehicle moves and actually deposits 1x1 round plates! The function is simple, relying on friction between the rear tyres and wheels positioned above them, which are connected to the drum, but I think it works.
Admittedly, the plates are scattered fairly randomly, instead of consistently dropping one piece each time the drum rotates. I am not sure how that could have been improved though, short of complicating the mechanism and doubtless needing to make it larger, which would create other problems.
The doors on top of the hopper open to place 1x1 round plates inside and twelve are included, plus a spare. You could pack in plenty more, though adding too many would probably interfere with the mechanism, as elements could get stuck.
Overall
Just as 60083 Snowplough Truck represented an advance in LEGO City trucks a decade ago, the range has taken another step forward in 2026. 60490 Snowplough is one of numerous fun vehicles launched in January, balancing a realistic appearance with interesting functions. While not perfect, the salt spreading function is cleverly integrated.
Similarly, perhaps the plough could be closer to the truck, although this configuration affords it greater articulation. There are other vehicles available in the January range I prefer to this one, but the Snowplough is appealing and I think its price of £19.99, $27.99 or €24.99 is reasonable as well, especially for the UK.
133 likes
38 comments on this article
Ah, a timely review, at least for those of us on the East Coast!
I don't understand why recent police and firefighter vehicles are not equally realistic.
Why do City sets have better functions than Technic sets now?
@Spike730 said:
"I don't understand why recent police and firefighter vehicles are not equally realistic."
Because in Lego City, the majority of the budget goes to police and fire so they get all the cool new stuff, while the public works department gets to drive around in trucks from the ‘90s
@Spike730 said:
"I don't understand why recent police and firefighter vehicles are not equally realistic."
I think it's probably a difference between how kids like to play with them... a utilitarian public works vehicle like a snow plow encourages more realistic sort of role play whereas kids are more likely to enjoy an "action play" approach to emergency scenarios like police work or firefighting, thanks in part to the way those sorts of jobs are portrayed in pop culture.
That said, I wouldn't be surprised if some of the more realistic traits of these vehicles, like cabs/hoods that open for engine maintenance, to work their way into police and fire sets in the future. I just don't expect them to fully displace the more exaggerated play features like big water cannons or jail breakouts that tend to be so popular with kids.
"Snowplough" looks to me like it should rhyme with "so tough."
Fun little set and I look forward to picking it up at some point. The salt spreader feature is kind of wonky, though, and I much prefer the spreader design and function on Unimog plow 60083 , even if it didn't spread salt studs. In any case, another Great Vehicle!
Snow pluff? Weird name for a set! :)
A fine set, one that I hope to pick up as soon as it goes to 20% off (which takes longer and longer over here). The 2016 City snowplow was one of the first sets I got after my grey ages, but this one is much better.
I like this a lot.
Not $28 a lot.
But a lot.
Not sure if its evidence of global warming or shrinkflation but 60083 contained 15 round tiles representing the salt where as 60490 only contains 12 round plates for the salt.
@Bricklunch said:
"Not sure if its evidence of global warming or shrinkflation but 60083 contained 15 round tiles representing the salt where as 60490 only contains 12 round plates for the salt. "
Tell me you don't have a couple dozen spare 1x1 round plates...
@560heliport said:
" @Bricklunch said:
"Not sure if its evidence of global warming or shrinkflation but 60083 contained 15 round tiles representing the salt where as 60490 only contains 12 round plates for the salt. "
Tell me you don't have a couple dozen spare 1x1 round plates..."
I don't have a couple dozen spare 1x1 round plates...(What happens now).
:-)
Will be nice for $20.
@Bricklunch said:
" @560heliport said:
" @Bricklunch said:
"Not sure if its evidence of global warming or shrinkflation but 60083 contained 15 round tiles representing the salt where as 60490 only contains 12 round plates for the salt. "
Tell me you don't have a couple dozen spare 1x1 round plates..."
I don't have a couple dozen spare 1x1 round plates...(What happens now).
:-)"
You don't? WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING WITH YOUR LIFE?!
Just kidding! I know not everyone has been playing with Lego for 52 years...
:)
This was one of the sets I was excited about when it was announced. I do very much like the design, the function is great too, even if it's not consistent but just the fact it can drop salt is fun!
Timely review with the recent snow storms!
Edit: Wanted to add, I thought some of the prints were stickers initially, very happy they aren't. The snowflake print looks pretty decent honestly.
I somehow have literally no recollection of set 60083 . I am gravely disappointed in myself. Gravelly? :o)
Additionally, now that I'm aware of the saltflation involved here, I may need to revisit my want list.
I just checked and I can confirm I do indeed have a couple dozen spare 1x1 round plates. I'm not sure I want rainbow salt, though.
@yellowcastle said:
"I somehow have literally no recollection of set 60083 . I am gravely disappointed in myself. Gravelly? :o)
Additionally, now that I'm aware of the saltflation involved here, I may need to revisit my want list.
I just checked and I can confirm I do indeed have a couple dozen spare 1x1 round plates. I'm not sure I want rainbow salt, though."
As I recall, it also released during a record breaking snow storm in the USA.
@Rimefang said:
" @yellowcastle said:
"I somehow have literally no recollection of set 60083 . I am gravely disappointed in myself. Gravelly? :o)
Additionally, now that I'm aware of the saltflation involved here, I may need to revisit my want list.
I just checked and I can confirm I do indeed have a couple dozen spare 1x1 round plates. I'm not sure I want rainbow salt, though."
As I recall, it also released during a record breaking snow storm in the USA."
There are unfortunately no excuses for me to not remember a LEGO set, despite my snowdrifts. The author of this comment has been sacked.
@560heliport said:
" @Bricklunch said:
" @560heliport said:
" @Bricklunch said:
"Not sure if its evidence of global warming or shrinkflation but 60083 contained 15 round tiles representing the salt where as 60490 only contains 12 round plates for the salt. "
Tell me you don't have a couple dozen spare 1x1 round plates..."
I don't have a couple dozen spare 1x1 round plates...(What happens now).
:-)"
You don't? WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING WITH YOUR LIFE?!
Just kidding! I know not everyone has been playing with Lego for 52 years...
:)"
I don't have a couple dozen spare 1x1 round plates... I have hundreds.
I still want the 3 extra that Lego are holding back on.
From one salt-spreader to another: this is fine.
@Andrusi said:
""Snowplough" looks to me like it should rhyme with "so tough.""
"Plough" rhymes with "cough", "dough", "rough", and "through". It's really quite simple, the English language.
At $25, I'd be more likely to purchase this.
At $20, it would be extremely tempting.
And, if it were a Snowplow, I'd have no choice.
I got this but I'd love a snowblower like the one my city uses: https://ville.valdor.qc.ca/uploads/2_Services%20aux%20citoyens/Municipaux/Deneigement/services_municipaux_deneigement.jpg
I've tried to make one, but the spinning screw (or whatever that thing is called) is not easy to pull off.
This isn't the snowplough I was looking for.
has anyone seen those Minecraft ladders before?
@StudMuffin24 said:
"has anyone seen those Minecraft ladders before?"
I first noticed it in pictures of 11371 Shopping Street, used for the plants next to the pigeon loft. But it seems to appear in a number of sets, and not just Minecraft: https://brickset.com/sets/containing-part-6535361
Edit: I think the black version isn't in the database yet, so the list of sets should most likely be longer...
@eiffel006 said:
"I got this but I'd love a snowblower like the one my city uses: https://ville.valdor.qc.ca/uploads/2_Services%20aux%20citoyens/Municipaux/Deneigement/services_municipaux_deneigement.jpg
I've tried to make one, but the spinning screw (or whatever that thing is called) is not easy to pull off.
"
I guess the different versions of Technic worm gears are too small, and too tightly twisted? Maybe tread 1x2 rounded plates on a bar, twisting them incrementally? Or just stack regular plates in the same way, less stable of course. Or stack a few 3-bladed propeller pieces, that will leave "gaps" in the screws but could look decent anyway, I think. Or maybe twist some flex tubes into spirals, attaching the ends and some mid-point with technic pieces? Just brainstorming...
Does packaging in the UK use UK spelling? Because the picture of the set box on the "Images" tab on the set's database entry shows it being spelled with the US spelling, but it also shows the piece count, which, if memory serves, UK and European sets do not have, so that image may be of the US package.
@TheOtherMike said:
"Does packaging in the UK use UK spelling? Because the picture of the set box on the "Images" tab on the set's database entry shows it being spelled with the US spelling, but it also shows the piece count, which, if memory serves, UK and European sets do not have, so that image may be of the US package."
Brickset seem undecided between members - 21335 Motorised Lighthouse has swapped between UK and US a few times recently. Following 'CH LOG' is sometimes like watching a soap!
I don’t like the grille on the cab, but that’s easy to improve.
And why is the plough extended that far? If that grille tile were to be malfunctioning, it’s easy enough to detach the plough to get to the engine, is it not? But also not a difficult problem to solve.
Why would anyone need a snowplough when there are only 3 snowflakes to be found? That guy with the shovel could do the trick in one move. Then the set would be around € 5,00...
@TheOtherMike said:
"Does packaging in the UK use UK spelling? Because the picture of the set box on the "Images" tab on the set's database entry shows it being spelled with the US spelling, but it also shows the piece count, which, if memory serves, UK and European sets do not have, so that image may be of the US package."
These days, LEGO has simplified things in that European boxes also show the piece count.
Needs a Mr. Plow minifig.
Fun toy. I like it.
@TheOtherMike said:
"Does packaging in the UK use UK spelling? Because the picture of the set box on the "Images" tab on the set's database entry shows it being spelled with the US spelling, but it also shows the piece count, which, if memory serves, UK and European sets do not have, so that image may be of the US package."
Yes, packaging in the UK nearly always features the British spelling. There are exceptions for licensed sets sometimes, but City tends to be pretty consistent.
Mr Plow
Wondering why the sunroof is an issue on the truck, but overall I like it.
I have to say, while not cheap, there are a lot of details that justify the price of the set. While the salt spreader is something they did not have to put into the model, it is neat none the less.