John Deere
Products
John Deere first introduced its compact excavators to the construction market in 1999. Since then, Deere has established its product line, stocking it with four compact excavators — the John Deere 17D, 27D, 35D and 50D.
All of John Deere’s compact excavators have either zero or reduced tail swing, because worrying about the back-end of the equipment is a real drain on productivity. Less tail swing results in reduced damage to the machine, less damage to property and more productivity, as the operator can concentrate on what’s in front of the cab instead of what’s behind it. The 27D, 35D and 50D all feature zero tail swing. The 17D has a reduced tail swing of about 1.5 in. All are available with numerous Worksite Pro Attachments.
The newest and smallest member of the line, the 17D, came out this past spring. It fits in places where shovels were once the only option. Its minimum width of only 3 ft, 3 in. and a height just under 8 ft, allows the 17D to fit through narrow openings and work in tight quarters. It has an expandable undercarriage that allows it to adjust to a width of 50 in. for stability when operating.
What’s Unique and Interesting?
The 27D, 35D and 50D all feature auto downshift. When the excavator encounters resistance during travel, it will automatically downshift to a slower speed with a higher traction force until it gets through the rough spot, then shift back up for faster transport speed. All of the compact excavators come standard with a mechanical quick-coupler, so the operator can easily and quickly change out attachments such as buckets, hammers and augers.
The compact excavators also keep serviceability in mind. Each model features extended-hour oil change intervals, greasing intervals and hydraulic oil change intervals to keep the excavator on the jobsite longer and allows them to be more productive.
Insights and Advice
“When you are in the market for a compact excavator, work with your dealer to get the right configuration for the jobs you’ll be doing,” says Mark Wall, John Deere product marketing manager. “Considerations include using steel tracks, stronger arms for deeper digging and heavier counterweights. Then be sure to demo the machine. Test it out on your jobsite to be sure that it will fit your needs.”
Contact Info
John Deere
P.O. Box 8806
1515 5th Ave.
Moline, IL 61265
Ph: (309) 765-0227
Fax: (309) 765-1859
www.johndeere.com
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