Britains 1/32 JCB Fastrac 7230

One of my favourite makes of tractors is the JCB Fastrac. In my opinion the best Fastrac is the 3185. Last year, Britains released their latest JCB model, the Fastrac 7230.
I opened the box to reveal the wire ties that fix the tractor to the box for safe travelling from China to the UK. It’s hard to believe Britains are still using these horrible wire ties when there are so many other options available.

My first opinion of the tractor is that it looks as good as the real one I saw at a dealer’s forecourt recently. The model has good details with lots of lights on the cab, mud guards and a front lighting board. Inside the cab, the details are good with a joy stick hand control and instrument panel on the right hand side. It also includes floor pedals, passenger’s seat and arm rests.
On the outside of the cab you can see mirrors, which are fixed, hand rails, and front and rear windscreen wiper blades. Also fixed to the fully glazed cab is the exhaust pipe on the right hand side. On the left hand side you can see the steps up to the cab door. The cab also comes off to fit a driver in. I know most of the other Fastrac’s cabs do lift off too.
Throughout the tractor the JCB logo is displayed. On the bonnet we can see the 7230 p.Trontic decal fitted to both sides.

A disappointing feature throughout the Fastrac range of models is the front linkage. It may look the part but does not attach to any model implements. The rear linkage does work and is compatible with other makes of model implements. The linkage does seem stronger than most of the newer Britains releases I have seen.
The wheels and tyres look the part. They are soft tyres fitted to grey wheels with black centres which are steerable from the front with the steering wheel moving in the cab.

This model is still a light weight model but seems robust. I can see this being displayed on a shelf or in a display and children playing with it on their carpet farms. I can see this Fastrac towing some of the bigger cultivators and combination drills as well as dealing with everyday applications like spraying, towing grain trailers and ploughing.

It currently costs approximately £14.50 from most UK dealers.

I certainly think it’s worth the money I paid for it. If you are interested in other similar models in the range there is the: JCB Fastrac 1135, 3155, 3185, 3220 and 8260.

Ltd Editions are also available. A JCB Fastrac 3155 Gold on a plinth and and a Fastrac set which includes a yellow tipping trailer and folding cultivator.