John Deere is introducing three new production class L-Series wheel loaders designed to match operator comfort with machine power.
The new 744L, 824L and 844L wheel loaders are equipped with a roomier cab, new electrohydraulic (EH) controls and an improved HVAC system, for improved comfort and productivity.
“Our customers work day in and day out on some of the toughest quarries and jobsites, making reliability and productivity critical for their operation,” said John Chesterman, product marketing manager for production class four-wheel drive loaders at John Deere Construction and Forestry.
“With the new L-Series wheel loaders, we listened to customer feedback and used that information to continue to improve our wheel loader offerings.”
Inside the new wheel loader cab
One of the most notable features on the L-Series wheel loaders is the revamped cab, which includes several features to improve operability.
The standard cab is roomier, with about 8 cm more legroom. The wheel loaders also offer more storage space behind and next to the seat, compared to the K-Series machines.
The new seat offers heating and ventilation, as well as seat pan and tilt adjustment. The cab offers premium radio, a backup camera, automatic temperature control and power-adjusted exterior mirrors, and it is CB radio-ready.
As well, the cab door is 79 per cent wider at the floor, compared to the previous models, allowing for easier entrance and exit, and the platform has been cut out around the top step for improved visibility.
Joystick steering
Joystick steering is now standard on the wheel loaders, which helps to improve cab room. Customers can also choose to add a steering wheel as a field kit.
A new dedicated steering pump provides fast hydraulic cycle times for combined functions. Two programmable multifunction buttons on the bucket lever help to further increase technology.
EH controls
The all new EH controls offer the highest level of operator comfort as a result of several key features. Soft stop features allow the boom or bucket to gradually stop when either the kick out position is reached, or the operator releases the control, significantly reducing the harshness of stopping functions.
Cylinder snubbing gradually slows cylinders nearing the end of stroke, eliminating the harsh behavior of end of stroke.
Finally, the wheel loaders offer programmable return to dig from the operator’s seat, which can be activated with the bucket dumped out or rolled back.
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The new machines are more powerful than the previous models, with an increase of up to 9 per cent in horsepower.
All three wheel loaders boast improvements in fuel efficiency, with the 824L specifically being equipped with a 9-litre engine, like the 744L, lowering fuel consumption by up to 12 per cent. The 844L is equipped with a proven 13.5-litre engine, reducing fuel consumption by up to 7 per cent.
“These machines are more comfortable, reliable and fuel-efficient, all without impacting productivity,” Chesterman said. “We understand that our customers need equipment they can trust to complete the job, and these new machines offer just that.”
Wheel loader horsepower
- 744L: 315 hp
- 824L: 343 hp
- 844L: 417 hp
- 844L Aggregate Handler: 429 hp
All three wheel loaders received significant updates in hose routing and plumbing to increase uptime. For example, the 824L replaced 44.5 metres of hoses with 38 metres of steel tubing. The axles on the L-Series machines are more durable with standard brake cooling and filtration, increasing customer confidence on the job.
A new seat belt minder system helps to ensure awareness of seat belt usage during operation. When an operator fails to use the seat belt, a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) is set off after 1 minute, alerting the owner through a JDLink Alert. Furthermore, an optional seat belt indication lamp can be added to the roof of the cab, which will illuminate when a seat belt is not being worn to provide awareness to bystanders.
Factory installed auto-lube
The new standard factory-installed auto-lube system ensures automatic greasing takes place while the machine is operating for more effective grease distribution.
Additionally, the updated HVAC system includes several upgrades to improve cool capacity, including relocation of the AC unit, alteration of the fresh air filter exchange and the use of a brushless motor to provide infinite fan spends, increasing airflow. Overall, the routing of electrical harnesses and hydraulic hoses features additional retention points, reducing rubbing and increasing uptime.
Finally, the L-Series models feature a window washing platform with a fall arrest anchor point that is tested to 2,268 kg, making it easier to clean windows.
Another notable offering is the new factory coupler option, available on the 744L and 824L wheel loaders. Available with multiple attachments, including four enhanced production buckets and two fork frames in two tine lengths, the coupler option maximizes the versatility of the machines. Additionally, the L-Series wheel loader line includes new Log Handler and Pipe Handler configurations for the 744L and 844L, and an Aggregate Handler configuration for the 844L.
The 844L Aggregate Handler configuration enables the 844L model to tackle two-pass aggregate loading and material-moving applications.
