John Deere has launched two new wheel loaders under its premium X-Tier: the 844 and 904.
Equipment World editors recently visited John Deere’s Coal Valley, Illinois, demonstration center to get up close with the two X-Tier models, compare them with each other and see how they stack up with other popular wheel loaders on the market.
Join us in the video above as John Deere Product Marketing Manager Colton Kreber walks us around the new 844 and 904 X-Tier, highlighting all you need to know.
The 804 X-Tier and 904 X-Tier
The production-class loaders come equipped with top-end features and advanced technology, including an electrified drivetrain, intelligent machine controls and optional operator awareness systems, designed to help operators move more material while burning less fuel.
Both the 844 and 904 X-Tier feature the John Deere Electric Variable Transmission (EVT), which replaces both the torque converter and traditional transmission with electronically managed power. Two electric motors plus an inverter manage torque, power to the ground and ground speed.
Deere reports that the EVT delivers smoother operation, faster response, single-pedal control and increased efficiency in tough working conditions compared to P-Tier models.
Powered byThe new Pile Slip Assist feature proactively enacts the differential lock ahead of approaching a pile to reduce tire slip, improve bucket fill and lower cycle times. This reduces total cost of ownership through decreased tire wear, which is one of the biggest cost drivers in this size class, Deere says. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System keeps operators aware of inflation levels to further extend tire life.
Larger, high-strength steel buckets allow operators to move more material with each pass compared to P-Tier models, the company says.
Two operation modes are available to balance efficiency and output based on the application. In Standard Mode, operators can achieve up to 15% fuel savings, while Performance Mode delivers up to a 5% productivity increase for high-demand tasks. Together, Deere says, these gains help reduce total cost of ownership by up to 4% compared to previous models.
What's the Competition?
In this episode of Iron Insider, we also take a look at how the specs on the 844 and 904 X-Tier compare to other popular models from competing OEMs like Caterpillar and Komatsu.
We put keys specs like operating weight, bucket capacity, reach and dump height side by side to give you a clear picture of where these loaders stand out.
Top-selling models are identified using data from Fusable’s EDA equipment finance data. (EDA is owned by Fusable, parent company of Equipment World.)
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John Deere 844 X-Tier Wheel Loader Specs
- Net Peak Power: 422 hp at 1,400 rpm
- Engine: John Deere JD14
- Operating Weight: 72,713–75,067 lb.
- Bucket Capacity: 6.3–8.5 cu. yd.
- Height - Pivot Pin: 15 ft 1 in
- Reach - At 45° Dump: 7 ft 8 in
John Deere 904 X-Tier Wheel Loader Specs
- Net Peak Power: 442 hp at 1,400 rpm
- Engine: John Deere JD14
- Operating Weight: 80,063–80,321 lb.
- Bucket Capacity: 9.80–10.25 cu. yd.
- Height - Pivot Pin: 15 ft
- Reach - At 45° Dump: 7 ft 11 in
00:00:00:02 - 00:00:28:20
Ben Thorpe
Hey, everyone, welcome to Iron Insider. We're here at John Deere's Coal Valley demonstration site to take a look at the two latest additions to the company's wheel loader lineup, the 844 x tier and the 904 X tier. We're going to walk around this 904 X tier. We're going to lift the panels, we're going to hop in the cab, and we're going to find out what makes these two new machines different, not just from each other, but from other popular models in the industry the contractors are looking at right now.
00:00:28:23 - 00:00:38:19
Ben Thorpe
And here to give us a total in-depth walk around of this 904 x tier is John Deere product Marketing manager, Colton creator.
00:00:38:21 - 00:00:54:22
Ben Thorpe
Colton, thanks for having us out here today. Before we get all in this machine, let's start with a little context. So John Deere has a lot of wheel loaders in their portfolio already. Why are we adding these two premium machines to the lineup now. Yep.
00:00:54:22 - 00:01:17:14
Colton Kreber
So from a fuel efficiency operator standpoint, these machines have premium technology and they offer premium cost when it comes to cost savings on maintenance items and fuel and braking and several other things will kind of dive into. But then the operator standpoint is what really separates these machines. So we'll talk about this a lot, but it has one pedal operator interaction.
00:01:17:14 - 00:01:28:04
Colton Kreber
And so rather than having to worry about your brakes and your hydraulics, you have one pedal the entire day, which makes operators a lot happier getting out of these machines.
00:01:28:06 - 00:01:45:05
Ben Thorpe
The 844 in the 904 are matched up in terms of net power and reach, but they start to differentiate when you get into things like operating weight and bucket capacity. So what are some of the key differences between these machines? When contractors are thinking about which one they might want to purchase?
00:01:45:06 - 00:02:05:21
Colton Kreber
The 840 for X is kind of your do it all machine. So that's going to show up on kind of every single job site that requires a lot of material moved quarry aggregate. If it's going to be in multiple job sites or doing multiple things, it's kind of your Swiss Army knife. Do it all. Machine 904 X is a little bit more of a specialist machine for two pass loading.
00:02:05:21 - 00:02:25:22
Colton Kreber
So it's going to have the ten and quarter yard bucket offering. So that means if you're going to be loading trucks two loads from this bucket that truck is ready to go. That's what this thing will absolutely specialize it.
00:02:25:24 - 00:02:45:13
Ben Thorpe
So we've lifted up some panels to look at the guts of these machines. And let's first talk about the largest differentiator inside these two machines and the whole exterior lineup which is the electrical variable transmission. So let's just start with the basic overview of what that is and why it's important that you guys bring that to market.
00:02:45:20 - 00:03:12:01
Colton Kreber
Yep. So the ET and I'll get a little technical here. So it's going to have an engine like any machine would. That part's not different. What's different is it's going to be powering and inverter. And then both motors and generators there's two motors and generators. And those can power electric. Or they can power your standard kind of motor to your transmission, which will then go through your powertrain like any other machine.
00:03:12:01 - 00:03:34:01
Colton Kreber
But essentially it is more that electric power with those generators. So it's a lot more reactive than a standard transmission, and then you're going to be more efficient as you go through the machine. So if you're going at slow speeds to one thing is that it will be fully electric. So if you're in first gear, you're going to have high fuel savings because the machine is going to be running essentially at optimum efficiency.
00:03:34:03 - 00:03:53:26
Colton Kreber
Another thing, too is that the hydraulics are instant. So when we think about one pedal operation in a normal machine, you might need to watch your your throttle and essentially throttle up to speed your hydraulics. But with the EV, all of that is connected. The engine is running at a lower RPM, but that power is ready for the hydraulics whenever you're going.
00:03:53:26 - 00:04:09:05
Colton Kreber
So when you're going into the pile, you just really have a go pedal. You don't have to worry about throttling up for that extra power.
00:04:09:08 - 00:04:14:15
Ben Thorpe
What drove John Deere to adapt this technology and bring it to these machines?
00:04:14:15 - 00:04:36:25
Colton Kreber
So we've actually done a lot of testing on an ET, and we have millions of test hours on these machines. And this actually is something that we have adopted from the agriculture side of the business. So they've had ETS or IVs for years. And so we saw an opportunity for increased fuel efficiency, better operator experience, highly reliable. Again, with all of these test hours on all these machines.
00:04:36:25 - 00:04:44:13
Colton Kreber
And we thought this would also be beneficial for our loaders. We have something also similar on our bulldozer, our 850 x tier as well.
00:04:44:14 - 00:04:54:00
Ben Thorpe
So aside from the ET, what are some more under the panel type features that contractors should think about when they're considering the 904 and the 844.
00:04:54:00 - 00:05:16:01
Colton Kreber
So it has the same engine, the 13.6 or 14 liter John Deere engine, same as P tier, but that engine is very reliable. So we have it not only in our P and X tier we'll loaders. We have it in our ATS or articulated dump trucks. We have it in certain dozer models. We have it in several tractors forage harvesters and combines.
00:05:16:01 - 00:05:34:18
Colton Kreber
So this engine is a very reliable engine with a lot of hours on it. When we adopted this engine as well on P tier and the exterior has it two, we also come with quad cool. So that is our cooling system. This has been a very strong feature. It's easy to clean out. It keeps the machine really cool.
00:05:34:18 - 00:05:38:23
Colton Kreber
We have had this around for a few years because it has been so reliable and awesome.
00:05:38:24 - 00:05:49:03
Ben Thorpe
All right. We've hopped up here into the cab. You're in the seat. There's a lot going on in here. What are some of the first features that operators are going to notice the first time they sit in this machine?
00:05:49:03 - 00:06:07:06
Colton Kreber
So the cab is going to look pretty similar to what they would see in a p tier machine. So you have quite a bit of legroom and the seat can adjust quite a bit forward and back. You have a great view. So because you have joysticks instead of a steering wheel, you can really see everything in front of you very well.
00:06:07:08 - 00:06:33:28
Colton Kreber
Even though it's a big machine with a big bucket, they have their machine kind of operation right here, and then they're going to have their boom and bucket off to the right hand side. Additionally, they're going to have their smart way kind of shortcuts right here as well. So this is going to allow operators to see how much material is in that bucket as they pick up material, and as they go to dump it into the machine, then they can also keep track of how many trucks that they've loaded also in the machine as well.
00:06:34:00 - 00:06:54:07
Colton Kreber
Super easy to calibrate accuracy to within 1.5%. Here is your SSN. So you're going to have your starting the machine. You're stopping your parking. But then here is a cruise control. So that's going to look different on an exterior machine. And then your coast control. Those are going to be two features that are going to look different on an extra year versus a p tier.
00:06:54:10 - 00:07:13:06
Colton Kreber
And then you're going to have your display where you can go through your settings, all your security as well as your fuel levels. And then up here will be your advanced vision system as well, which is going to show you the 270 degrees behind the machine. So you're an operator. You're facing forward. It's going to give you that rear view.
00:07:13:06 - 00:07:36:15
Colton Kreber
And then we're going to have advanced object detection, which is going to kind of tell you if there is something behind you. But then as an option we have Smart Detect. So that is going to tell you if it is a person or an object behind you. So if you're moving in the rear and you're not sure what's behind you, it's going to tell you if it's a person, it's going to tell you if it's an object, but also the external person here that might be in the danger zone.
00:07:36:15 - 00:07:50:17
Colton Kreber
They're also going to receive an external alarm as well, so that they can get out of the way. Be aware that there's a machine coming towards them.
00:07:50:19 - 00:07:56:15
Ben Thorpe
Can you just go over very quickly? What are some of the premium features on this machine that differ from the P tier?
00:07:56:18 - 00:08:17:03
Colton Kreber
So one of the things is they're going to have a cost control option. And so this is going to help decelerate the machine and actually reallocate some of that power. So there's no efficiency lost. And so an operator can get into the pile without using their brake. They just have to worry about their go pedal and then letting off so they can go right into the pile.
00:08:17:04 - 00:08:51:24
Colton Kreber
One other thing that people are going to notice that's not necessarily a feature, but the X tier machine is actually quieter than our P tier because the transmission is quieter. Being with that even. But then also the RPMs of the engine are a little bit lower. So it's a more tonal machine. So if you have a unique sound you're listening for, or if you are getting close to an object, your smart detect goes off, you're going to hear that better and an X to your cab than you will in a P to your cab.
00:08:51:27 - 00:09:02:12
Ben Thorpe
So we've come around to the front here. We know good wheel loader needs a good bucket. So what are we looking at here that's unique to the 844 and the 904.
00:09:02:12 - 00:09:30:08
Colton Kreber
So this bucket that we're standing beside is the ten and a quarter yard bucket. So that is brand new and exclusive to our 904 x tier loader. So this allows you to get more material into the bucket and move more tons per hour normally. And it's still offered. The largest bucket we would offer in the 900 for size loader is a 9.8yd³ bucket, so 0.45yd³ larger than our 9.8 yard bucket.
00:09:30:11 - 00:09:47:09
Colton Kreber
Then for our eight. 44 the largest bucket we now offer is an eight and a half yard bucket. So again that is exclusive to XT here. Otherwise the normal larger size bucket that we offer is an eight yard bucket. So again allows you to move more material per hour get more into the bucket each load.
00:09:47:09 - 00:09:58:00
Ben Thorpe
So a contractor buying this machine isn't just buying a machine. They're also buying up time. So what should contractors think about when we're looking at things like telematics warranty and dealer support.
00:09:58:01 - 00:10:21:00
Colton Kreber
Yep. So telematics first. So we have John Deere Operations Center and we have Equip mobile. So John Deere Operations Center. They're going to be able to see where this machine is at. They're going to be able to see what the fuel level is of the machine. They're going to see a lot of machine data as far as like fuel usage, breadcrumbs on where the machines actually been in the past, just in case they're not sure how often that machine has been used.
00:10:21:00 - 00:10:38:08
Colton Kreber
They can set idle alerts. They can get notifications when there are expert alerts or when there's something with the machine that we're not sure there might be a warning going off. Your dealer can get that notification. The customer can also get that notification as well. So again, they have remote operation to kind of see what's going on with the machine.
00:10:38:08 - 00:11:02:12
Colton Kreber
And then if they have advanced vision system, they can actually remote display access into the display. So they can kind of see what's going on behind the machine and around the machine. Next you talked about kind of the warranty side of things. So with the warranty side of things are ET actually comes with a transmission component assurance, which is going to cover kind of the new electric components that people might not be as familiar with.
00:11:02:12 - 00:11:26:21
Colton Kreber
And so that's five year 15,000 hours. And then we have a DPF assurance out to 10,000 hours as well. And then we are back by our world class dealer network. Right. We have hundreds of locations across the country, world class dealer support. We work with them to make sure that they have the training that they need, and they are excellent at serving customers and maintaining those awesome relationships to keep these machines up and running.
00:11:26:21 - 00:11:35:10
Ben Thorpe
Colton, before we wrap up here, is there anything else special about the 844 and the 904 that people should be thinking about as they're learning about these machines?
00:11:35:11 - 00:11:58:12
Colton Kreber
I really think it comes down to they need to do some research on the math. What is their fuel cost going to be? How many hours are they going to put on this machine? But then the next big step is make sure they get in the machine or their operators get in the machine so they can really experience the power, the ease of use themselves so they can see what that new bucket is like, because that's where the difference really comes into play.
00:11:58:12 - 00:11:59:18
Colton Kreber
From an operator standpoint.
00:11:59:19 - 00:12:02:03
Ben Thorpe
Our contractor is able to order these machines today.
00:12:02:04 - 00:12:05:11
Colton Kreber
Yes. Yep. We started shipping them earlier this year. Well.
00:12:05:11 - 00:12:24:10
Ben Thorpe
Colton, thank you for taking the time to walk us around these machines and show us what's special about them. We really appreciate your time. And now we're sending it over to Jordan Walsh. He's going to show us how the new exterior wheel loader specs stack up against similar top selling models in the industry right now.
00:12:24:12 - 00:12:54:21
Jordanne Waldschmidt
Thanks, Ben. And yes, these new exterior wheel loaders are going to be up against some heavy hitters in the market. So based on the latest data from fusible EDA, here's some of the top selling models that the eight, 44 and 904 XT here will be competing with the Cat 980.
00:12:54:23 - 00:12:57:03
Jordanne Waldschmidt
The.
00:12:57:05 - 00:13:07:11
Jordanne Waldschmidt
Four 7511.
00:13:07:13 - 00:13:20:03
Jordanne Waldschmidt
The Cat 982.
00:13:20:05 - 00:13:32:22
Jordanne Waldschmidt
The W 508.
00:13:32:24 - 00:13:58:00
Jordanne Waldschmidt
And before we wrap up, we've got one more exciting announcement. Check out Equipment World's new construction equipment valuation calculator powered by Equipment Watch. This free tool uses Verified Market Data to estimate what your equipment is worth, whether you're buying, selling, trading or ensuring. Get your estimate in seconds at equipment Worldcom.
00:13:58:02 - 00:14:13:09
Jordanne Waldschmidt
Later. And if you want more construction industry news, new product launches and fleet insights, follow us at Equipment World social media Channels. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and sign up for our newsletters at equipment Worldcom.
