New series of backhoe loaders from John Deere

This backhoe loader was designed from the very beginning for consumers who demand high performance. For example, already as standard, the device is equipped with a five-speed transmission, the function of setting the time to turn off the power unit and automatically switching to idle. As a result, in addition to increasing productivity, the trouble-free operation of the backhoe loader and fuel efficiency increase.

High performance is also guaranteed:

• plug-in front-wheel drive;
• locking differential of the rear and front axles (the cross-country ability of the backhoe loader is beyond praise even in bad road conditions);
• excellent performance of a pair of hydraulic pumps (can be turned on forcibly, ensuring ideal controllability of the technical device);
• wide glass area providing excellent visibility.

First impressions

Despite the beginning of March, spring has not yet completely defeated winter. There is wet snow falling outside, and the roads are a mess of mud and melted ice. In one of the courtyards of residential buildings in Krasnoyarsk, temperature changes and groundwater destroyed the asphalt surface. So much so that a local resident’s car, which fell into a sudden trap, now needs to replace the gearbox. Road workers shrug their shoulders: weather conditions do not allow carrying out full repairs and laying asphalt concrete mixtures. But don’t leave residents without access.

The John Deere 315SK came to the rescue. The operator, deftly using levers and pedals, quickly maneuvers around the yard, fills the gap with crushed stone with a backhoe and levels it with the front blade. A few passes resulted in a smooth surface.

The backhoe loader stops and the elderly operator gets out of the cab and inspects the work. Meanwhile, we are in a hurry to find out our impressions of the operation of the equipment, so to speak, first-hand.

Technical characteristics and dimensions

For convenience, the technical characteristics of the John Deere 315SK are summarized in the table:

Dimensions of John Deere 315SK:

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About operation

Nikolay Putrenok, excavator operator at Krasnoyarsk Heat Transport Company

“Compared to other machines, this backhoe loader is like an Audi after the Moskvich.” There are a lot of possibilities. Kun (loader) in front, and behind the bucket on the boom.

By the way, the handle extends more than a meter. You can take the soil far away. The controls are easy and there is nothing to break. Everything is simple on the button panel, the symbols are all clear. Here's the parking brake. Here is starting or stopping the engine. "Hazard warning light", headlights, wipers. The cabin is generally blessed with air conditioning and a heater.

There are only ten air ducts for blowing glass. The view is excellent, especially in the evening due to the good lighting. Look, there are four headlights in front, two on the sides and four more in the back,” shares Nikolai Putrenok, an excavator operator at the Krasnoyarsk Heat Transport Company.

According to our tester, this is the most maneuverable and productive machine he has ever encountered. And I had the opportunity to work for different ones - I managed domestic, Korean, and Chinese.

To switch between operating a multi-purpose bucket and a backhoe bucket, the operator simply rotates the seat 180°

The backhoe control system consists of two levers, and a rotary electro-hydraulic controller is built into the single joystick for controlling the loading mechanism to control the multi-purpose bucket. Push and trigger buttons on the joystick provide control of clutch release and front wheel drive.

“You can turn around on it in one place. You press the pedal - one wheel stops, but you spin on the second wheel. Usually, of course, this is not done. Only if you are stuck somewhere and need to get out. Power steering - there is no such thing on passenger cars,” says Nikolai Prokopyevich.

Although it is difficult to get stuck even in impassable mud on this model. The mechanical drive of the front wheels with a limited slip differential ensures that power is transferred to the wheel that has the greatest traction.

It can be connected on the go, giving you true all-wheel drive anytime, anywhere. The PowerShift automatic transmission is also designed to assist this design. It also makes it easier for the operator to control while the excavator is moving. As our tester admitted, on asphalt he accelerated the car to 40 km/h.

Engineers have equipped the John Deere 315SK backhoe loader with an open-center hydraulic system that, regardless of the load or application of the machine, provides smooth response, precise handling when using multiple functions simultaneously, and effortless control.

“There’s a sea of ​​opportunities. I started digging, moved the carriage here to take the wall here. He pressed the button, and the carriage moved in the other direction. It moves up to 524 mm from the center. That is, I picked up a wall there and picked it up here. Smart device - added gas, finished digging, turned forward, released the gas itself. It’s a thing, what else can you say!” the operator proudly looks around the working parts of the backhoe loader.

Despite the long service life (the machine is not idle, but is constantly used in the public utilities sector), there were no serious breakdowns. John Deere developers have done a great job on durability.

The fully welded load-bearing frame offers high torsional stress resistance, shock absorption and maximum strength. The backhoe boom, extendable arm and outriggers are welded box-frame construction using low alloy steel sheets for strength. Durable pins and replaceable bushings enhance the strength of the excavator and loading end of the machine.

The owners had no problems servicing the John Deere 315SK. While the equipment was under warranty, maintenance was carried out by specialists from the Timbermash Baikal dealer. Now they cope with replacing consumables on their own. The hood cover, made of elastic composite material, can be tilted in one of two positions. The radiators were also folded to facilitate access to their cores.

“They gave a mechanic as an assistant and that’s it. The main thing is to change the oil and filters on time. And there is nothing complicated about it. You can’t break anything here—you can work in peace,” smiles Nikolai Putrenok.

He says that the technology did not fail in either hot or cold weather. In cold weather it quickly warms up, and at high ambient temperatures it does not overheat due to water-oil radiators of hydraulic and transmission oils and a John Deere PowerTech 4045TT096 turbocharged diesel engine with a power of 69 kW at 2000 rpm. “Wet” cylinder liners improve cooling of the cylinder block, reduce piston ring wear, and also significantly simplify the engine overhaul procedure. The automatic tensioner extends the service life of the poly V-belt.

Operator's cabin

John Deere 315SK cab. Photo

To improve operator efficiency, the manufacturer has provided a spacious and ergonomic cab. The view from the cabin of the John Deere 315SK excavator is 360 degrees, which allows you to safely control the movement of equipment and working parts. The glass is tinted to protect the operator from direct sunlight that could interfere with normal operation. To prevent the windows from fogging up, the cabin is equipped with a high-quality air conditioning system. Each ventilation hole has the ability to adjust the power and direction of air flow. The automatic climate control system maintains a constant temperature inside the operator's cabin, which improves operating efficiency. Storage space is provided on the side of the control panel and under the cabin ceiling, and there are compartments with installed locks.

Operator workstation John Deere 315SK

The John Deere 315SK backhoe loader is equipped with a cruise control system. It automatically adjusts the speed of movement when moving equipment outside the work site. The engine starts by pressing a button on the dashboard. The panel itself is sealed and has buttons for controlling work operations, adjusting smoothness, and automatically switching speeds. On the sides of it there are electrical connectors that increase the functionality of the operator's cabin. The steering column is continuously adjustable, allowing it to be lowered or raised for smooth operator movement within the cab.

Steering wheel John Deere 315SK

The operator's seat of the 315SK backhoe loader is equipped with a mechanical suspension and can be adjusted to the individual characteristics of the person, which also has a positive effect on work efficiency. For convenience when entering or exiting the cabin, handrails, self-cleaning steps and wide openings are provided. To eliminate the risk of using equipment without the owner’s permission, a security system is used. This is a touch panel that, when the security code is entered correctly, brings the machine into working condition. The presence of electronics allows you to diagnose faults using individual sensors. All information is displayed on the central monitor.

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About the nuances

“There is a version with a ride control function for comfortable driving on uneven terrain and preventing material from spilling from the bucket. I miss her here. The turn signal switch is located inconveniently here. The lighting is dim, and sometimes the steering wheel is not visible because of the “spokes”. Sometimes you want to scold the designers for placing the wiper activation button on the side.

And it would be okay if you just had to turn around, which is not particularly convenient while moving, so you also need to make several clicks. If you press it once, it cleans quietly, you press it a second time, it’s faster, the third time, it’s even faster, and only the fourth time it turns off. If we could put the controls for the headlights, wiper and washer on the dashboard, it would be an ideal car,” sighs Nikolai Putrenok.