Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/548484
August 2015 | EquipmentWorld.com 32 Machine description I ntroduced in 2012, the 96-horsepower Deere 310SK features a 5-speed transmission that allows top roading speeds of 25 mph. With a 14-foot 6-inch dig depth and an 11,051-pound loader breakout force, the machine has a loader lift capacity of 7,356 pounds. The optional AutoShift transmission enables smooth shifting and reduces the number of times the transmission control level needs to be actuated during operation. In addition, a single loader lever with electro-hydraulic auxiliary loader controls eliminates the need for a second lever while using a multi-purpose bucket. On the backhoe end, Deere redesigned the backhoe joystick on the K Series, giving it equal lever efforts in all directions plus improved swing control, reducing backhoe wag. The JDLink telematics system is standard. Auto idle, auto shutdown and keyless start are also standard on Sealed Switch Model machines. Earlier this year, Deere introduced the L Series backhoes, which replaces the K Series. reader reviews | continued SERVICEABILITY Rating Access to daily service points 8.7 Access, ease of PM/500 hour service 7.9 Access to battery 8.6 Fuel capacity 7.5 Ease of radiator clean out 8.1 Diagnostic test ports, fluid sample ports 8.5 John Deere Service Advisor Remote 8.2 Serviceability overall score (out of 10): 8.2 Performance: 8.4 out of 10 Performance attributes on the 310SK received solid ratings, with only "backhoe lift capacity," "emissions control" and "fuel efficiency" receiving less than an 8. "To tell you the truth," said one reviewer, "my lower rating on emissions control was more of a political response. But as far as performance, it is what it is." Brook Elder cites "a bit of lag in the powershift transmission, but overall they function quite well." He likes the machine's balance and handling at travel speed. "They transport well and on any terrain, and you feel balanced." A Pennsylvania residential con- tractor, however, wasn't crazy about the machine's travel speed: "It's slow going up hills when driving on the highway," he commented. PERFORMANCE Rating Horsepower 8.6 Loader bucket breakout force 8.6 Loader bucket height/reach 8.5 Loader bucket lift capacity 8.8 Power Curve boom 8.7 PowerShift transmission 8.7 AutoShift functionality 8.8 Backhoe bucket breakout 8.1 Backhoe bucket height/reach 8.2 Backhoe lift capacity 7.8 Traction, tractive effort 8.6 Hydraulic flow and pressure 8.6 Cycle times 8.5 Travel speed 8.5 Balance, handling at travel speed 8.5 Balance over stabilizers 8.7 Ease of changing attachments 8.8 Emissions control DPF/DOC/regen times 7.5 Variable-speed electronically controlled fan 8.0 Exterior lighting 8.4 Fuel efficiency 7.7 Performance overall score (out of 10): 8.4 Telematics: 9.3 out of 10 (partial results) Uncertainty is the prevailing theme when it came to the 310SK's JDLink telematics, which are standard on the ma- chine. Only four out of our 11 reviewers even rated the telematics, giving them a high 9.3 score. But five of our reviewers said "I'm not sure" when asked if they had JD- Link on their machines; and two even replied "no" when asked if they had this feature. Only one reviewer said he had integrated JDLink into his back office systems. Be- cause the results were so inconclusive, we didn't include the telematics score in our overall score for the 310SK. There's still seems to be a lot of head scratching surrounding the entire subject of telematics, with one reviewer asking us to explain what it is. Others still need convincing about the promised value of telematics. Alan Haney with Metro Poured Wall, Omaha, Ne- braska, says some of the information telematics provides isn't critical to his operation. "There are so many things affecting idle time, especially with what others are doing on the site, it's not something I can control, so I don't track it," he says. chines and the parts are always available," he says.