New John Deere 672G Grader

[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.