Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/489028
EquipmentWorld.com | April 2015 19 EDITOR'S PICK EDITOR'S PICK marketplace | by Amy Materson | AMaterson@randallreilly.com FUEL SAVING ECO MODE Boost productivity and uptime in earthmoving and grading applications with the Tier 4 Final 550K, 650K and 700K crawler dozers from John Deere, which feature a diesel particulate fi lter that can go up to 15,000 before requiring ash removal. The 550K and 650K feature a PowerTech 4.5-liter diesel engine that delivers 92 and 104 horsepower, respec- tively, and the 700K has a 6.8-liter PowerTech that provides 130 horsepower. All three models include Deere's Eco Mode, a new feature that optimizes fuel economy while maintaining ground speed, which is accomplished by automatic adjust- ment of the engine speed and the transmission settings based on the load. Deere estimates the feature will save customers as much as 20 percent in fuel costs with no loss of productiv- ity in many applications. Additional features include a new push button throttle that controls the engine RPM, instead of a rotary dial. The throttle works by using speed increase and decrease buttons that cause the RPM to either low idle or to go wide-open throttle; pushing and holding the button allows the operator to locate the desired speed. The hydrostatic transmissions have been updated, including improving response and controllability on the electronic control system. Instead of using two-speed motors, a variable displace- ment design boosts pushing power and drawbar pull. The electro- hydraulic control option includes a larger hydraulic pump on the 550K and 650K, and the EH system is more responsive on all three machines. A feature with EH controls enables the operator to shake the blade in a quick, repeated motion that helps the blade release material. The open architecture design of Deere's electro-hydraulic controls allows the operator to choose Leica, Topcon or Trimble grade control systems. The 700K has two additional blade size options – the 126- inch and the 144-inch blade are now available in addition to the 120-inch blade on an XLT frame and the 132-inch blade on an LGP frame. The 700K also is equipped with Deere's V-Cool package, a cool-on-demand hydraulically driven fan. 550K 650K 700K