Construction World August 2023

COVER STORY

TRULY JOHN DEERE MOTOR GRADERS – SINCE 1967

John Deere, primarily known for its green machines, announced in 2021 that it was bringing its construction and forestry lines back under the John Deere brand in its Africa and Middle East branch. This meant that it was the first time John Deere machines were sold under its own name in 18 countries in Africa. Construction World spoke to Griffiths Makgate, Sales Manager, John Deere Construction & Forestry Africa and Middle East about the brand’s motor graders, the options customers have for choosing the best model for the job at hand, and how John Deere’s after-market support assists customers to successfully navigate an industry with its wafer-thin margins.

M akgate says that three things about John Deere’s motor graders are important. “One has to understand the history of the product as it will indicate to a potential customer how solid the product is. It is also about the machine’s capability that has evolved and how this machine is supported. John Deere does more than display a motor grader on the showroom floor,” he says. “Our motor graders have earned the reputation that they have exceptional control and offer grading precision,” he explains. Evolution of the John Deere motor grader The current range of motor graders is the result of the evolution of John Deere’s motor graders that started in 1967 when the JD570 motor grader was introduced. “This machine was easlily identifiable with its scarifiers positioned in front while the scarifiers – or rippers as we now refer to them – are at the back of current machines,” says Makgate. With this motor grader, John Deere produced the world’s first articulated-frame grader, the JD570. The articulated frame steering reduced the turning radius and enabled the grader to bend in the middle in order to put the front wheels over a windrow, on a slope or down a ditch while keeping the rear wheels on solid footing. Hereafter John Deere motor graders evolved to include six wheel drive to enhance traction control for the tough conditions it often operates in and to achieve maximum precision,” says Makgate. John Deere allows

operators to achieve the next level in grading performance because it provides stability for the operator to maintain levels. “This is achieved with the current John Deere PowerTech™ engines and the PowerShift Plus TM transmission, with the Autoshift Plus function that removes the need to use the inching pedal. It provides the benefits of a torque converter to the operator but retains all the performance benefits of the direct drive transmission,” Makgate explains. “Some motor graders require the operator to go back to neutral to get to reverse. John Deere motor graders enable you to flip directly to reverse from forward while in the same gear (gateless shifting) – which minimises stopping to select direction and the desired gear,” says Makgate. Seeing profitability He says this evolution has now reached the cab. “It’s a low profile cab that is designed to make sure that you have expansive visibility. “The operator has to see all four sides as you not only need to see your environment, but also the tip of both ends of the blade.” This all-round visibility is virtually unobstructed and the cab offers a clear view of the heel and toe. As seat comfort for the operator is vital to ensure maximal production, an air suspension seat negates the vibration in the operating conditions. Operating the John Deere motor graders is further enhanced by an LCD high-visibility monitor and smooth gateless

22 CONSTRUCTION WORLD AUGUST 2023