John Deere has introduced the next model of its 850 size class bulldozer, a bigger machine than its predecessor boasting more power, better fuel economy, a roomier cab and improved durability.
The new 850L is powered by a new Deere PSS 9.0-liter engine that provides a 10-percent increase in horsepower over the 6.8L engine found on the 850K. Deere says the 850L’s 225 horsepower gives the dozer the most horsepower in its size class.
Amy Asselin, manager of Deere’s worldwide construction product marketing and planning, says torque has also increased by 23 percent to 831 lb-ft. “This machine will have best-in-class productivity when it hits the market,” Asselin says.
Deere adds that the engine’s Eco mode reduces fuel consumption by up to 20 percent over the previous model, without hurting performance. Standard auto idle and auto engine shutdown features provide further fuel savings.
The engine is mated to a dual-path hydrostatic transmission with pumps that are 13 percent larger than those found on the K-Series machine it replaces. Each 850L configuration utilizes an eight-roller design with 130 inches of track on the ground, increasing stability and gradeability, Deere says.
Continuing this machine’s focus on improving productivity, the 850L is available with a 172-inch Power Angle Tilt blade, the widest PAT blade in its class.
Responding to customer input, Deere increased the cab size of the 850 by 15 percent and managed to reduce noise levels within the cab by 27 percent, Asselin says. Plus, the new angled seat with high-back design provides better visibility to the rear ripper and is more comfortable over long periods of time. A heated and ventilated seat is an available option.
Visibility to the blade has also been improved, Asselin says.
The new dozer also features new control joysticks for the transmission and hydraulic functions of the machine. The new transmission joystick has a rocker switch to control forward, neutral and reverse (FNR), while the hydraulic control lever has a thumb roller for blade angle or power pitch adjustments. Other buttons on the sticks can enable grade control, increment/decrement grade control, blade shake (PAT only), and return to pitch (outside dozer only).
The dozer comes standard with grade-control-ready electrohydraulic (EH) valves. The dozer can also be ordered with SmartGrade, Deere’s fully integrated and mast-less grade control tech, from the factory. Deere has also moved the SmartGrade monitor to the center console of the dozer for better visibility.
On the durability and serviceability front, the 850L features improved electrical and hydraulic routing, and a heavy-duty mainframe with increased thickness by as much as 60 percent in some areas of the machine. The dozer’s cooling package was also upgraded with larger fin spacing and a simplified design, allowing full access to both sides of the cooler.
For easy access to critical components, the 850L is equipped with a tilt cab that can raise up to 65 degrees. Deere has also increased the size of the machine’s service doors and increased their thickness by 50 percent to provide better protection.
The 850L is available now in wastehandler, forestry, mechanical angle blade and pipelayer-ready factory-installed configurations.