John Deere Construction & Forestry has introduced its E-Series ADTs, three models anchored by the flagship 460E, a 46-ton unit Deere says is North America's largest.
Designed and built in Davenport, Iowa, the Deere E-Series ADTs feature a John Deere PowerTech 13.5L Tier 4-Interim engine with three power levels based on the model – 422 net horsepower (370E), 443 net horsepower (410E), and 481 net horsepower (460E). A purpose-built ZF transmission includes a high-capacity retarder, eight forward gears and four reverse gears. In addition, the new John Deere hauler axles are designed for heavy-duty applications and include on-the-fly differential locks and outboard planetaries. Each axle is also independently pressure lubed and filtered. The E-Series axles use internal wet disc brakes that utilize independent cooling circuits.
On-the-fly differential locks can be applied at any speed, manually or automatically, for improved performance in poor conditions, the company says.
Allowing the differential lock system to run in automatic mode will simplify operation for new operators by taking the guesswork out of using the differential locks. When ground conditions get soft and difficult, the system will automatically control the axle differential locks as well as the inter-axle differential lock, all while the truck is still moving. An experienced operator can still choose to manually engage the traction controls.
