John Deere, dozer--John Deere’s Innovative 764 High-Speed Dozer Now Available

MOLINE, Illinois (Feb. 2, 2010) — John Deere is now selling the first new machine form the construction industry has seen in decades, the 764 High-Speed Dozer (HSD), a unit that will give operators the ability to do more in less time.

This innovative rubber-tracked dozer combines the speed of a grader with the flotation of a crawler dozer. As a result, operators can perform grading and moderate dozing at about double the speed of a similarly sized crawler. They’ll also have the ability to travel 16 mph across a job site without damaging pavement.

“The 764 HSD has the potential to revolutionize site preparation and road building with its speed alone,” said Dan Drescher, Deere’s product marketing manager for crawler dozers and crawler loaders. “We’re confident that the 764 is going to deliver game-changing performance.

“Combining the rubber tracks with the speed dramatically expands travel possibilities around the jobsite, meaning less trailer hauling and no need for contractors to lay out mats just to cross pavement. Its mobility and also its maneuverability, thanks to articulated steering, are unprecedented for a dozer.”

Built for Speed, Powered for Production

The 764 HSD weighs in at 34,000 lbs. and is powered by a Tier 3 John Deere PowerTech Plus™ 6.8-L engine rated at 200 hp.

“The hydrostatic drive train is very efficient in delivering power to the ground on the 764,” Drescher explained. “The machine’s rubber track and drive system ensures there’s much lower rolling resistance than with a conventional steel track system – so operators can work and travel at much higher speeds.”

Twenty-four-inch-wide tracks provide 4,989 square inches of track-on-the-ground for superior flotation.The entire powertrain system works together to distribute power to the tracks for maximum push while avoiding spin. When the machine articulates, the inside and outside track speeds automatically change to improve turning. The hydrostatic transmission also adjusts to deliver the maximum power and speed to the tracks under varying load conditions.

Speed can be infinitely controlled from 0 to 16 mph, with four easy-to-use ranges available at the touch of a button. Finish grading can be achieved at speeds around twice that of a comparably sized dozer. “The finish grading speed lets operators do precise work faster,” Drescher said. “That means higher production and more profits.”

An articulation joint gives dozer operators the ultimate in maneuverability, vital when grading around pavement and helpful when navigating side slopes. While turning, the shorter tracks are swept over less ground than longer tracks, extending life and improving performance.
The fore-mounted operator’s station is close to the 11-ft., six-way dozer blade and moves with it as the unit turns. This gives the operator a full, panoramic view of the blade at all times and the ultimate in close-quarters control.
“With the 764’s cab position, ample glass, and the fact that the blade is directly in front of you at all times, you get the most complete blade view in the industry,” Drescher said.
The 764 HSD is available with Deere’s “plug-and-play” Integrated Grade Control, meaning the dozer arrives from the factory pre-wired and ready to add the operator’s favorite laser/GPS system. A rear hitch and two hydraulic circuits allow the dozer to pull implements like scrapers, discs, box blades and compactors, increasing its versatility.

Like all John Deere crawlers, the 764 HSD features familiar, smooth and easy-to-use controls. The seat-mounted controls consist of a single right-hand lever which handles blade functions, while the left control lever performs steering and FNR/speed change duties. The rear hydraulic controls are conveniently mounted to the right of blade control lever.

Proven Components for Uptime
While the 764 HSD is an entirely new machine form, it was developed with reliable, rugged components from other Deere-engineered products with years of experience on the job. The powertrain, hydraulics, blade and C-frame are from John Deere crawlers, while the cab, engine, controls and articulation joint come from Deere 4WD loaders.

The 764’s undercarriage has been designed as a complete unit for maximum life and performance. It excels in soft conditions due to its flotation and provides a smooth ride at higher speeds to produce a high-quality grade. Unlike long steel tracks, there are no track segments to make the blade bounce.

A combination of friction and positive contact ensure the rubber tracks deliver long life. Track tensioning systems also work to extend life. All four tracks are fully, independently suspended and can walk smoothly over uneven or bumpy surfaces. The undercarriage is backed by a wear assurance program tailored to the customer’s operating conditions.

Serviceability Helps Lower Daily Costs
Like all John Deere machines, the 764 HSD is engineered for easy maintenance. Daily service points are grouped together for fast access. Lockable service doors provide wide-open access to sight gauges, filters and dipsticks.

There is a 500-hour service interval for hydraulic/transmission filter changes and 2,000 hours for transmission oil.

Deere’s Quad Cool™ system helps keep the cooling elements clean and is less susceptible to plugging. The standard reversing fan automatically ejects material at regular intervals, further minimizing clean out time.

The track sprockets are designed to automatically shed material. Ample room between the track and the roller frame allows for easy cleaning during extremely muddy applications.

“When a machine is easy to service, operators don’t mind performing daily maintenance and that leads to fewer repairs down the line, more time in the cab and lower daily operating costs,” Drescher said. “John Deere makes serviceability a win-win situation.”

Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) is the world’s leading provider of advanced products and services for agricultural and forestry and a major provider of advanced products and services for construction, lawn and turf care, landscaping and irrigation. John Deere also provides financial services worldwide and manufactures and markets engines used in heavy equipment. Since it was founded in 1837, the company has extended its heritage of integrity, quality, commitment and innovation around the globe. John Deere Construction & Forestry produces more than 120 machine models and distributes its construction, forestry and worksite products through a network of more than 1,300 dealer locations worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.johndeere.com/.

Source: Equipment World