John Deere upgrades operator systems on tracked feller bunchers, harvesters, and shovel loggers
The updates include a Dedicated Travel System, Return-To-Level functionality, and other self-levelling improvements
John Deere recently added new operator assistance features and enhancements on its 900 M-Series tracked feller bunchers, 900 MH-Series tracked harvesters, and 900 ML-Series shovel loggers. With a focus on contractor productivity, the updates include an enhanced Dedicated Travel System, which is now a dedicated feature on the 900 M-Series machines.
Additionally, the new Return-to-Level functionality and further undercarriage improvements aim to enhance durability. These operator assistance feature updates help improve the overall buyer experience in variable operational applications.
Newly added features to John Deere's forestry equipment
The Dedicated Travel System isolates the travel functions on the machine to allow easy referencing. The operator is able to focus on the task at hand by not allowing boom and swing operations to interfere and slow down the travel functions. In addition, the power balance and availability have been optimized and can be adjusted between the upper and travel functions, allowing priority to the needed operations.
A completely new feature that has been added to several machines is the one-touch Return-To-Level functionality. This service combines multiple levelling system adjustments into one push-and-hold operator input. As the machine moves to a different slope, the rotating upper can be brought to a level position (based on the parameters of the levelling system) by utilizing a simple button function on the joystick.
This new operator assistance feature has been combined with the John Deere Slope Monitoring system, which actively measures and displays the slope of the terrain to the operator. These two features allow the operator to focus more on the application machine adjustments. They are available as the new Slope Management System, an optional upgrade on all John Deere 800 and 900 Series levelling feller bunchers, harvesters, and shovel loggers.
Also, all 800 and 900 Series levelling feller buncher, harvester, and shovel logger models received improvements to the levelling system cylinder pin joints. The levelling cylinder pins have been updated with a larger diameter, tighter machining tolerances, and an improved grease path.
These updates reduce bearing stresses under load. All 800 and 900 undercarriages, the track frame steps are now welded onto the machine's frame with additional gusseting to help strengthen them against impact.
"These performance and functionality enhancements are driven by ongoing customer feedback, which we continuously integrate into our machines," said Jim O'Halloran, global product marketing manager at John Deere. "The updated operator features and improvements on our 900 Series models empower operators to maximize efficiency with simplified functionality, for exceptional productivity."
