John Deere introduces Tier 4 Final small-frame skid-steer and compact track loaders

Several years in the making and designed with direct customer feedback, John Deere is introducing four Tier 4 Final G-Series skid steers (312GR, 314G, 316GR, 318G) and one compact track loader (317G). These new machines were designed to level the playing field for today’s rental, ag material handling, construction and landscape customers. The five models, including three vertical and two radial-lift options, boast big reliability and serviceability, and are full of customer-requested features aimed at improving operator and machine productivity, as well as improving uptime and lowering daily operating costs.

“With the addition of these new G-Series models, John Deere now offers a full line of skid steers and compact track loaders to meet the quality, performance and price point needs of today’s customer,” said Gregg Zupancic, product marketing manager, John Deere Construction & Forestry. “Customer input led to increased durability, higher engine power, improved fuel capacity and updated cab and productivity features, so when customers buy or rent a John Deere G-Series machine, it isn’t just an easy decision, it’s one they can make with total confidence.”

The G-Series machines feature an improvement in horsepower-to-weight ratios and an optimized boom design that enables lift heights over 10 feet on the vertical lift models and a 20 percent increase in breakout forces on the radial-lift models. With the option of a radial or vertical lift, customers can now choose the Deere system that best fits their application needs.

The new vertical-lift design on the 314G (51 hp), 318G (65 hp) and 317G (65 hp) provides excellent all-around visibility with clear sight lines both above and below the boom to enable easier grading in tight spaces, plus the low-profile rear-hood design expands rear views.

The radial-lift option used on the 312GR (51 hp) and 316GR (61 hp) offers an exclusive one-person boom lockout system for safety that can be activated from within the cab. The lift system is designed for lower maintenance and optimal digging performance, and is ideal when more reach is needed at mid-range lift heights – such as dumping over a foundation wall, backfilling or loading a flatbed trailer. These machines are also ideal for work in small areas or indoor operations.

The 316GR, 318G and 317G offer 24 percent more engine power and all G-Series machines provide 11 percent additional fuel capacity over previous models for daylong productivity and uptime. A durable, high-performance Yanmar Tier 4 Final engine and hydraulic powertrain provide maximum pushing power, and boom and bucket productivity. The optimized power-to-weight ratio also helps deliver more usable power, resulting in faster cycle times on the jobsite.

John Deere designed an all-new operator station for the G-Series, featuring many of the same comfort, space and visibility refinements originally introduced on the E-Series machines. A swing-out cab door creates a wide-open entryway and flat floors allow easier entry and exit, along with more foot and legroom. The cabs and floors are sealed and pressurized to keep out dust and excess noise, and a footwell clean-out makes debris management easier than ever, minimizing costly maintenance and downtime.

The new skid steer economy models 312GR (radial lift) and 314G (vertical lift) were purpose built for simplicity, reliability and durability, and include a key set of standard features for the entry-level customer. The higher performance 316GR and 318G models offer several customer-driven features, including 2-speed, air-conditioning, electrohydraulic (EH) joystick controls, an enhanced lighting package and a new self-level and ride control combination that features shock-absorbing boom cylinders that cushion bumps, helping retain full bucket loads while navigating over rough terrain.

Flexible control choices on the 316GR and 318G allow contractors to choose between standard foot and hand controls, optional hands-only controls or enhanced (EH) joystick controls that are switchable between ISO- and H-patterns.