60083: Snowplough Truck review

Every year I now look forward to the new City releases that LEGO has to offer. City is one the prime themes that I “collect” having being fed on this diet since the start of the 1980s. However, what I am now slightly sick to the back teeth with is the endless Fire and Police models that seem to be churned out. Whether this is in direct competition with PlayMobil, I do not know – but you only have to see that the retail space allocated in Germany and both these heavy weight brands trade huge blows. It gets boring and it is almost a certain bet that there will be yet another incarnation of the Fire Station once again.

The “sub –theme” Great Vehicles is a welcome tonic – it cuts out the noise from the sirens and peril and just makes the LEGO City somewhat normal. One model that immediately caught my eye was 60083 Snowplough Truck. Now, it has to be said that it would rarely snow within a LEGO City. So what was the need to have one? Surely this would be part of the Artic range?

Well, perhaps. Fact of the matter is that come winter these days, all too often places like Britain are caught short with everything coming to a standstill at the drop of a snowflake. So methinks it is better to have one parked than not to have one at all.

Official description
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Clear snow and ice with the awesome Snowplow Truck!

lego

The snow is falling thick and fast in LEGO® City so it’s time to call in the snow patrol! Jump aboard the awesome Snowplow Truck, adjust the huge blade for maximum plow effect, activate the salt spreading function and head for the snowbound highway! Includes a driver minifigure with assorted accessories.

  • Includes a driver minifigure with assorted accessories
  • Features a detachable blade and truck bed, opening doors and salt spreading function
  • Accessories include a broom, shovel, snow elements and a mug
  • Climb aboard the awesome Snowplow Truck
  • Adjust the huge blade
  • Activate the salt spreader
  • Plow through the deep snow!
  • Snowplow Truck (with blade attached) measures over 3” (10cm) high, 7” (18cm) long and 3” (9cm) wide

The review
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Within the standard LEGO City branding we have all the elements across ‘x’ bags with a two booklets to construct the model. We have just the one minifigure – glasses and beard added to the head and a smart blue uniform. As with almost all sets these days, we have a small sticker sheet, but for once, I would recommend adding these to the completed model as it really does smarten it up.

The model is relatively straightforward to build. There is nowt complicated, but I do suspect that with smaller hands there are going to be a few mishaps with the plough and the rear grit dispenser. Both being a little on the fragile side.

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But when fully built, this is a real treat. Let me talk about the truck first. Most real snowploughs are based on a 2×4 truck chassis in the UK, or a 7.5 tonne 2×2 with a hopper on the back for the grit. But this model just smacks a resemblance to the Mercedes Benz Unimog, which is a huge favourite of mine. And it is in Europe where you would see Unimog’s – old and new – still in action during harsh winters, so this this fits the bill perfectly.

Opening doors are a welcome sight once again with the cab roof easily removeable in case you have problems getting that minifigure in the truck. I also like the spots of detail. The huge balloon tyres on black rims are perfect. I have always maintained that LEGO City trucks and cars should be rolling on different rims and tyres just like they did in LEGOLAND days, but for some reason LEGO choose to keep the same tyre/wheel combination for every vehicle – and it looks bloody daft. But the tyres and raised chassis give the model great presence and a pukka 4×4 feel about it.

Of course, take the plough off and you have a work horse service truck that could have an endless possibility of modifications added to it. My immediate thought would be to add two rail bogies and that would look super within a rail environment. Take any elements from existing service vehicles and add – in fact, with a little colour element change, you could build up a smart fleet for your LEGO City. What about a forestry truck?? Yup, the possibilities just keep coming which makes this is a very versatile base to build upon.

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The snow plough makes very good use of the 3x4x3 Wall Bow element to create the plough which can be set at an angle to sweep away all that snow. It works well, but I would have liked to have seen the 1×2 Clamp element coloured black to represent the rubber fin at the bottom of the plough rather than be coloured orange.

The nod to the spotlights are very welcome on this model as they are normally used on the real trucks in the dark of the night or early in the morning.

A great bit of detail is the rear grit dispenser. Now whilst this does not actually drop grit on your LEGO roads, the simple mechanism of axle and cogs make this a lovely bit of play and detail. Very cool.

Is there anything to find flaw with this model. For once, the answer is ‘no’. All the elements work well and the model just comes together and gives it presence. It is possibly one of the best City releases in a very long time, and I have a lot of City models.

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It is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but if anything get it for the truck and convert it into your own MOC. Very well done here LEGO, if you would like to own it you can buy it from LEGO or Amazon UK

Author Profile

Keith
My name is Keith and I am a AFOL. Currently an expat living out in Basel, CH, but have a firm footing back in the UK when time permits.

I have had had Lego ever since I can remember - and only until my wee one came along have I re-kindled the flame for building again.

I also run matchbox1-75.co.uk, a resource site for the 1-75 series of miniatures by Matchbox.

There are only three themes that I am get/collect (finances permitting) - City, Creator (Advanced and Expert) as well as the classic Star Wars sets from Eps IV to VI (anything else does not exist). I also keep an eye in Europe with ample chance to see how France, Germany and Switzerland market and offer LEGO.

Keith

My name is Keith and I am a AFOL. Currently an expat living out in Basel, CH, but have a firm footing back in the UK when time permits. I have had had Lego ever since I can remember - and only until my wee one came along have I re-kindled the flame for building again. I also run matchbox1-75.co.uk, a resource site for the 1-75 series of miniatures by Matchbox. There are only three themes that I am get/collect (finances permitting) - City, Creator (Advanced and Expert) as well as the classic Star Wars sets from Eps IV to VI (anything else does not exist). I also keep an eye in Europe with ample chance to see how France, Germany and Switzerland market and offer LEGO.

4 thoughts on “60083: Snowplough Truck review

  • 08/09/2015 at 21:48
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    While it is a nice looking set, I prefer the one from the Winter Village Cottage

    Reply
    • 09/09/2015 at 19:23
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      I think what appeals Sarah is the possibilities of MOC’ing the truck to whatever you care – hence the massive appeal. It is also a great resemblance to the Mercedes Unimog, which gives added kudos.

      Reply
  • 08/09/2015 at 13:11
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    Excellent review Keith and glad the new reviews look sweet on the new site. Glad to finally get a set review on the new site 😎

    Reply
    • 08/09/2015 at 13:24
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      Yes, these have been bubbling over the last few months – more to come!

      Reply

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