New John Deere 672G Grader

[ovrszd]

The Township I work for bought a new machine last week. Took delivery on Wednesday in the middle of a road project.

This machine is 6WD, 255HP, 42K lb machine, 17.5x25 Bridgestone Radial tires, 14'x27"x1" moldboard w/8" cutting edges. Powertrain is a 9.0L 6 cyl engine and 8 spd powershift trans.

 

[ovrszd]

John Deere machines are designed for ease of service. These pics reflect that.

First pic is left side of machine. Air Filter is behind forward panel. Center panel accesses engine oil dipstick and fill tube, trans dipstick/fill tube, batteries, power disconnect. Rear panel accesses oil coolers. Below that is the fuel fill, green cap. Below that is DEF fill, blue cap.

 

[atsah]

Oh man, that baby will do some work.. We have a new one here in town looks identical, that thing can push rock hard snow banks back with ease...

 

[ovrszd]

More pics of left side.

 

[ovrszd]

Right side of machine is access to Alternators behind front panel, filter bank in middle, engine radiator and AC condenser behind rear panel.

Deere shines in this area. All filters are easily accessed and replaced. Oil sample ports on every filter head.

 

[ovrszd]

Deere offers these machines in three different control configurations. This machine is what's known as a rack style. They offer two joystick versions. Third option is fingertip controls on the armrests of the seat. They even offer the joystick/fingertip setup with both. Easily converted by the operator by switching out the armrests.

We use rack controls because of cost. It's $27,000 option to get the joystick or fingertip controls. Pretty hard to justify that option.

Deere's cabs are spacious and well designed. Lots of storage space. Great visibility. Air seat. Double filtered air system that keeps the cab extremely clean.

 

[ovrszd]

I prefer one hand lift controls on the rack. Outer most lever on right side lifts right end of blade, next one in lifts left side of blade, next one in is rear articulation. I can perform all three functions without lifting my hand. Two lift levers in my palm, thumb running articulation.

 

[ovrszd]

The trans gear selector has been changed from our previous machine. This shifter it straight line, one gate. Forward is neutral. Click rearward to select gear. Lean the lever inward to select forward. Lean the lever outward to select reverse.

Works very well once I get used to it. Previous machine used two gates. You had to go forward to neutral and then inward/outward and rearward to select gears. Every time you changed direction you had to go forward thru the gate.

I've put 17hrs on this machine and still try to go forward thru that gate...?br>
In this pic you can also see the 6WD controls, Cruise Control, Heat AC.

Here's a pic of the old style that our previous machine used.

 

[ovrszd]

The dash display has also changed in this machine. It's very high tech. Some of the data I'm still trying to figure out.

The first pic is when power is first initiated. This is an indication of how much information can be displayed during normal operation if needed.

The second pic shows the display as you would normally see it.

There's also a menu selection for choices of settings and/or data. The machine is connected via JD Link. The dealer can access the machine anytime. They can pull all the operational data from the machine plus any codes that might be happening without coming to the location of the machine. The location is GPS pinpointed. I'm going to test this system Monday. I've got an error code regarding the reverse lights. Sometimes they work, sometimes not. I'll call the dealership and they'll access the machine for information regarding what the problem is. If it's simple computer correction they'll perform that from 100 miles away.

This switch panel is on the right side B pillar about eye level. It's pretty self explanatory. Notice the center switches also have numbers on them. They are used as a keypad to make selections on the dash screen when setting up the machine.

 

[ovrszd]

Was a bit disappointed when I realized the front wheels have different back space than the rears. I rotate tires regularly. This machine will be limited. Fronts can only rotate side to side. Rears rotate amongst those four.

Excellent clearance under front axle which is very important.

6WD hydraulics is protected best it can be. Uses hydraulic motors like AG combines use.

 

[ovrszd]

This machine has 18 LED lights. Previous machine had 18 Halogen. I played with these for a few minutes at night. Huge difference. Blade visibility is just as good as daytime. I'll run it at night soon and post some pics.

 

[ovrszd]

Oh man, that baby will do some work.. We have a new one here in town looks identical, that thing can push rock hard snow banks back with ease...

Yep. Even our previous rear wheel drive machines were very effective. I maintain 50 miles of rural gravel roads. Some drift badly.

 

[Citydude]

Boy, things have come a long way from the Cat 16G I used to run back in the late 80s. Ergonomics are so much better now. The control lever layout is brilliant. Our county uses John Deere blades as well.

 

[ovrszd]

Boy, things have come a long way from the Cat 16G I used to run back in the late 80s. Ergonomics are so much better now. The control lever layout is brilliant. Our county uses John Deere blades as well.

I started on a CAT 12. It was a 73 model and I started running it in 1989. It was worn completely out. Beat you to death to operate. Township bought a new Deere in early 1990 for $72K. Eight new machines later, this machine was $249K. That's including governmental discount. Commercial price is $345K. I'm very Blessed to work for a Township that can afford to keep a good machine. I wouldn't run those old machines again. I do this for enjoyment, not because I have to. Makes it a lot more enjoyable. Part time job.

 

[Citydude]

Before I became the manager of operations at an open pit coal mine, I was an operator of equipment. Through the years I was there, we listened to our operators as operator comfort was a large part of productivity enhancements. I was fortunate to be in a type of management that put their people first over the bottom line. Sounds like your township has good leadership.

I started on a CAT 12. It was a 73 model and I started running it in 1989. It was worn completely out. Beat you to death to operate. Township bought a new Deere in early 1990 for $72K. Eight new machines later, this machine was $249K. That's including governmental discount. Commercial price is $345K. I'm very Blessed to work for a Township that can afford to keep a good machine. I wouldn't run those old machines again. I do this for enjoyment, not because I have to. Makes it a lot more enjoyable. Part time job.

 

[ovrszd]

Before I became the manager of operations at an open pit coal mine, I was an operator of equipment. Through the years I was there, we listened to our operators as operator comfort was a large part of productivity enhancements. I was fortunate to be in a type of management that put their people first over the bottom line. Sounds like your township has good leadership.

Their philosophy is that they are not in their positions to hoard tax money. They are in charge of expending that tax money in the way that provides the most service to the tax payers. Grading rural roads is very time sensitive and especially weather sensitive. When conditions are right the machine needs to run, not break down, not have flat tires, needs to run. Needs to crank when it's cold outside and have the ability to move snow in all conditions. They are fortunate to have a strong enough tax base to provide these services. I get Christmas cards, thank you cards, small gift certificates from tax payers thanking me for providing them this service and/or cleaning out their driveway when drifted full. They think I'm doing something special. I'm actually doing what the Township Board wants done.

I was recently at the local Petrol Card fuel station. I left the Petrol Card laying on top of the pump when done. Didn't realize it until the next day. Went back, it was gone. My wife said you'll never see that card again, lucky it's password protected. I said oh you never know, depends on who found it. Couple days later I got a Thank You card in the mail from a tax payer thanking me for taking such good care of her road (elderly widow). Also included was my Petrol Card with a sticker saying "thought you might need this" and a little winkie face.

 

[Paystar]

Nice pics. Our city started buying Deere and Cat now after Volvo ruined Champion and pulled out of the motor grader market. This last winter I worked with all the operators while we were on snow removal. I asked what they thought. They all seem to like the Cat better for low speed tight work, but the Deere better for higher speed stuff like snow plowing.

But most like the Deere more overall. They said the Cat M series is having issues with moldboard flex, due to the way the tilt cylinder is mounted and lack of bracing.

 

[ovrszd]

Thanks Paystar. I've ran joystick machines, Deere and Cat. I agree with their opinions.

 

[Paystar]

Another thing I remember. Our city has a LOT of abusive operators. They have ripped moldboards and circles off on SNOW REMOVAL!!! LOL.

But one day a Deere rep was meeting with them and he said "you will never break a Deere."

They seem extremely confident in their motor graders. And so far none have broke.

Motor graders have always been one of my favorite things since I was a kid, but I've only ever ran one a very few times and just plowing snow. And they were older Champion's.
Trucking and wheel loaders are my two specialties. They are what I have run the most so they are what I got really good with. The 992 Cat's are the biggest have I have got to run. But most of the time now it is just the new 980 Cat's and WA500 Komatsu's. And my little Kubota, LOL.

 

[Industrial Toys]

How much moula?

Out municipality seems to have gone for VOLVO graders.

A guy I once knew taught heavy equipment and grader school as well as having worked for a very large contractor. I remember him telling me that a grader is the most challenging of machines to master.

Can that mouldboard go up vertically beside the machine? Good for smoothing out the stucco on the side of your house.