Review: 60287 Tractor
Posted by CapnRex101,
LEGO has released comparatively few products focused upon farming during recent years. The splendid 60287 Tractor has accordingly elicited notable admiration because such models seem increasingly uncommon and this example does exhibit considerable detail.
Both construction techniques and the selection of available pieces have undoubtedly improved since 7684 Pig Farm & Tractor was produced during 2010, containing the previous standard tractor. Nevertheless, this set introduces even more new elements and the resultant model appears extraordinarily authentic in my opinion.
Minifigures
Two minifigures are provided, both of whom are appropriately dressed for farming. The male character features an unusual reddish brown hair piece that was originally created for Anakin Skywalker and the torso is new, comprising an intricate plaid shirt and green overalls. Metallic silver highlights are integrated to good effect and I like this double-sided head, which displays two smiling expressions.
No alternative face appears on the second minifigure, although her freckles and round glasses convey lovely personality. This torso, which features blue overalls and a white shirt, is relatively common but looks nice and I am delighted with the dark orange hair piece. This component has only appeared twice before in this colour and looks perfect for a youthful farmhand.
The Completed Model
Minifigure-scale tractors have traditionally followed certain conventions, featuring consistent bodywork designs with enlarged rear tyres. This example conforms to those standards in some respects, including similar relative wheel proportions and measuring almost 18cm in length which approximates other models. However, the wheel sizes have increased dramatically because the parts representing larger tyres on earlier tractors form the smaller tyres here!
Whereas the cabs on previous LEGO tractors have generally been perched above the rear wheels, this model positions the wheels behind the cab and these two sections appear more closely integrated. Neither design is necessarily more accurate than the other as both exist in reality, although I think this configuration seems more modern and I appreciate the variation.
Tractors can be outfitted with differing equipment for many purposes. This vehicle includes a standard front loader bucket which is connected using Technic pieces. These light bluish grey elements stand out against the bodywork but look wonderful in my opinion, suitably combining Technic and System parts. Moreover, the bucket can be removed with ease by detaching each pin from the engine housing.
Alternatively, you can raise the bucket to reveal a black grille and a trans-clear 1x2 plate that forms the headlight. Both the lift arms and the bucket can pivot, providing a splendid range of motion for transporting goods. The most useful feature might be the dark bluish grey 2x1 brick with Technic half-beams which protrudes to form a simple stopper, preventing the bucket from striking the ground.
Technic beams are affixed around the engine housing, supporting the bucket lift arms. I think they appear out of place but their black colour does match surrounding elements and Technic pin holes could be mistaken for mechanical detail. Additionally, the designer has included dark bluish grey ladders on either side, allowing minifigures to clamber into the cab.
The contrasting blue interior looks attractive and I appreciate the external detail, including an accurate warning light above mirrors which are realistically suspended away from the cab. I appreciate the differing heights of the front and rear windscreens too, although the front does comprise two elements. Unfortunately, the seam between them looks awkward but I think this would have been unavoidable without creating a new part.
Speaking of which, this tractor includes brand new balloon tyres! Exactly the same tyres are also available in 42122 Jeep Wrangler and I expect they were created for the Technic model, although they appear equally appropriate here. More substantial tyres with the same realistic tread texture were introduced with 42054 CLAAS XERION 5000 TRAC VC and I am pleased that a smaller version is now available.
The tractor pattern tread looks excellent and I love the curved elements around these tyres. Furthermore, the lights across the back are neatly integrated and further equipment may be fitted between the wheels, although no trailer is included. The blue 2x6 brick which is visible from this angle is disappointing because another, more muted, colour could seemingly have been used instead.
An interesting grille component is situated immediately beneath the rear lights and this piece appears in multiple places within the tractor. Tan versions form hay bales and they include the same texture as existing 1x2 grille bricks, although these new elements are only two plates in height which is unusual. A selection of fruit and vegetables is also provided, together with an adorable rabbit.
Overall
Despite its apparent mundanity, or maybe because of it, 60287 Tractor is among my favourite new sets! This model features nearly everything one would expect to see in a minifigure-scale tractor, including an articulated bucket and gigantic wheels. Ideally, the front and rear tyres would include the same tread pattern but that would have required another new piece, enough of which are already provided.
My only other significant criticism relates to the windscreen, although its realistic shape could only be constructed using two windscreen elements so the seam was unavoidable. Otherwise, the minifigures are excellent, some appealing accessories are provided and I think the price of £14.99 or $19.99 represents great value. I would therefore wholeheartedly recommend this set and hope for more LEGO City farming equipment in the future!
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44 comments on this article
Agree to that last sentence, we need more farming sets for our Cities.
Ok, it looks pretty fine, but just not very ‘farmey’ to me. It needs a plow, a trailer or something. Or perhaps it just needs a farm... A full fledged farm would be cool.
As it is right now: meh to me.
So the new piece is a 2x2 2-plate-high brick with horizontal grille on each face? Interesting, if so.
Agree totally that we need more farming sets, crazy to think how it’s been 11 years since the last farming wave..
I like it, but the back tires are two close together and the lifting arms feel way to small and flimsy
Front rims are to big. It should be smaller. Tyre is good size, but on smaller rims they would look better, balloon tyres. Tractor don't have all four rims same size
Really needs a trailer to connect with the ball socket and some farm animals. The nearest comparison is probably tractor 7634. Just unsure why they need to use all those technic connectors and axles for lifting the bucket, when single pieces already exist in city farm 7637.
I'm shocked and sarcasm upset that there are no robbers or crooks to thwart with this obviously sarcasm police vehicle.
Definitely need more farming sets. They always look SO good.
I like the tyres, but again hugely disappointed that LEGO haven't come up with a minifig-scale scoop with more realistic attachment points. That one clip in the centre requires a whole mess of parts to attach it to anything other than a narrow excavator arm, which it's far too big for anyway.
i am concerned about the technic pins for the rims...those tan pins look just barely to make it through the rim. I would think there needs some bushing or something to keep the rims on the pins when in play.
I thought this looked interesting when the pictures first became available. After this review, it is definately in my want list.
@Snaz said:
"We need more farming sets, for one reason. GOATS,"
Well said, more goats pleease!
@someguy827 said:
"Agree totally that we need more farming sets, crazy to think how it’s been 11 years since the last farming wave.. "
Actually, 60223 Harvester Transport released in 2019 is also a farming set, so it is not really no any farm set since 2009.
I will definitely get this together with 10950 for the kids, so everyone can build a red tractor.
@Snaz said:
"We need more farming sets, for one reason. GOATS,"
Not only goats, but all the farm animals are more or less rare even horses that was so common back in the day do not show up in a set for years. Unless city surprise us with a full wave of farm sets again our biggest chance for farm animals are in ideas. Medieval Blacksmith should have several farm animals if the original submission is anything to go by and
https://ideas.lego.com/projects/299064a7-4585-425b-8ee2-73ab7730c498
is soon in review ;)
I can't believe nobody's mentioned the bunny! It's very cute.
Obviously a rabbit farmer and that's one mean looking individual if you use the no-face side of head. I'm hoping to get one but make 2 with smaller front wheels. Split front screen gives it beam type detail in reality, 15euro is a fairer price for me though so it'll be a wait if I'm lucky!
^ Not a goat, though, is it!
@Snaz said:
"We need more farming sets, for one reason. GOATS,"
That, but also SHEEPS, CALVES, FOALS, you name it - we want it! (in large quantities)
p.s. (none of that Friends style - we want minifig-style animals)
I think I'll be picking this up despite the seam in the windshield. I'll be interested to see if anyone comes up with a one-piece solution. I also agree with the bucket attachment...very awkward and unrealistic.
The brackets at the front and ball joint receiver at the back offer endless implement opportunities. The front tire size looks roughly correct to me, depending on the style and intended use of the tractor.
Build this set today (had it in build queue since last week), worth every cent :)
Nice, might need a few to try modifying to my own design.??
@Rimefang said:
"I'm shocked and sarcasm upset that there are no robbers or crooks to thwart with this obviously sarcasm police vehicle."
The tractor is red, so it must be owned by criminals. Need a police tractor for a slow speed tractor chase.
Great review. At that price point my little boy will definitely be getting one.
I like the People & Farm accessories in this set but I don't want the tractor itself. So I might just pick up some of the parts I want if they become available through Bricks & Pieces.
@karrit said:
"I like the People & Farm accessories in this set but I don't want the tractor itself. So I might just pick up some of the parts I want if they become available through Bricks & Pieces."
It would indeed be nice to get an xtra set with farm accessories.
@MeganL said:
"I can't believe nobody's mentioned the bunny! It's very cute."
The Killer Rabbit of Caerbannong was very cute too.
The only negative is not having other farm sets to put with it. Will probably get two or three as tractors are cool.
Easily will top the list of best $10-20 sets for 2021.
@Snaz said:
"We need more farming sets, for one reason. GOATS,"
It's true. Goats are the GOATs of Lego farm animals.
I'm so getting this! I happily got 7367 The Farm and 7634 Tractor sets from 2009, and this would go well with them. Love those new tires! It's got one of the new pumpkins and a bunny too!
Love the tractor, the rear tyres and the grille plates. Great for greebling. Hope some other colours will appear soon.
Just adding my voice to the throng of those calling for more farm animals! Goats and cows!!
Knowing that they made the beach xtras set gives me hope for more animal-heavy ones in the future. Those are the army builders we need!
Goats or not, we definitely need a new, well designed and rounded out farming theme.
I think this looks gorgeous. Day one purchase, here.
The only bad point is the front glass, divided in two parts seems so strange! Still doubtful about buying it because of it
I don’t really like the shovel on the tractor. It makes it more a construction tractor than a farming tractor.
Those hay pieces, can they be used as minifighead?
@CDM said:
"I think I'll be picking this up despite the seam in the windshield. I'll be interested to see if anyone comes up with a one-piece solution. I also agree with the bucket attachment...very awkward and unrealistic.
The brackets at the front and ball joint receiver at the back offer endless implement opportunities. The front tire size looks roughly correct to me, depending on the style and intended use of the tractor. "
the seam in the windscreen is actually rather good most tractors used to have them (one of the 2 usually would open)
Hmmm, I'm really curious about that new piece! I thought from the pics that it was a variant on 51921, so it would be a box... Surely it wasn't just designed for this set??
This set is the real highlight for 2021 City and not the new road system, that solely fills the catalog cover. I am so disappointed we get a full page of Duplo farm animals and for every Friends set at least a new animal mould, but the best thing they come up with for City is a white bunny?! How come in 10 years we got only a Combine Harvester and this tractor and no other farming equipment or set? Remember 7684 from 2010 with 4 pigs or the year before 4 different farm sets?
Regarding the new grille piece, I think LEGO should have done a 1x2x2 Profile Brick Corner instead and used two + a 2x3 tile for the hay (since hay bales are rectangular and never cubic). A corner brick is strongly needed for masonry profile as well.
I am a fan od LEGO tractors. No, really I am. It's a must-have for me.
Having read all the comments, I think we need something new - we had Forest Police, we had Swamp Police. Now it's time for Farm Police! Imagine those Police Ploughs and Thief Tractors. And a shed jail.
In New Zealand we have 2 police tractors. https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/countrylife/audio/2018764603/tractors-on-the-beat
Went to the local LCS and had some points to burn... and they were out of EVERYTHING I wanted in this price range, so I ended up getting the tractor. Nice and basic with a great shape and those new 2x2 double plates with grille are interesting.
@AllanSmith said:
"In New Zealand we have 2 police tractors. https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/countrylife/audio/2018764603/tractors-on-the-beat
"
That's just made my day, cheers.