Grader test drive

**LandyAndy** · 29th April 2010, 07:55 PM

Bit of a bonus today.
Went to test drive a new grader with the boss and one of the shire councillors.The maintence grader is up for replacement,my Helga becomes the maintence grader and I get the new one.
Was a John Deere 670GP.
What a nice machine to operate,slightly lower on HP than my Volvo on paper,but much stronger down low where its needed.
I was told to load it up and see how it goes.Was in a sandpit,not the best place for graders,it went real well.I had the sand pouring over the mullboard and she was looking like a stall,clicked it down a gear and she held on,Helga would have stalled for sure.Would have been embarrasing to stall it with the audience gathered!!!!(Shire works managers and grader pilots)Tried harder to bury it and didnt stall it,1098NM Im told.
It gets better!!! This machine has the controls on the chair instead of the normal antler levers.Was at home in the thing instantly,like an armchair,you can even steer with the levers or use the steering wheel.Didnt even touch the wheel.Great operating station for anybody with a bad back like myself.
Lots of other "NEW" features.
I WANT ONE!!!!!
Andrew

**Jamo** · 29th April 2010, 08:11 PM

Cool!. So I take it a decision hasn't been made yet? WIll there be others to test?

**LandyAndy** · 29th April 2010, 08:28 PM

Before today Jamo I only wanted another Volvo,the next size up 14ft blade instead of 12ft and big tyres.
Will get to demo a few more in the next couple of months

This machine is much better,player comfort wise!!!
CAT want shooting.
Collie Shire asked for the 2 prefered suppliers to demo their machines.
The John Deere dealers(Hitachi) were smart,they invited a bunch on shires down to have a go after the Collie demo.
CAT never invited any others down,had 2 graders on display and wouldnt allow their machines to be run head to head with the Deere.Didnt even approach our demo mob offering a go.STUPIDITY!!!
Andrew

**Landy Smurf** · 29th April 2010, 08:37 PM

hey that sounds good did you get any photos during your test

**LandyAndy** · 29th April 2010, 08:45 PM

No mate.
Andrew

**Landy Smurf** · 29th April 2010, 08:48 PM

no probs.i have not heard or seen a john deer grader before

**LandyAndy** · 29th April 2010, 08:55 PM

This is a 670G
The 670GP has the seat mounted controls,electronic cross slope setting and its pre wired for Topcon automatic laser leveling.
Andrew

Rangier Rover · 29th April 2010, 09:15 PM

Sounds like an awesome machine

I Dry hire the old Cat 14 G's here atm. Not a bad machine and as old as they are I have never managed to burry one yet! They have a tough transmission

Even in this black soil and rock.

I like the new control set up your talking about but haven't experienced it as yet.