Deere 55-Ton Class Excavator Gets Grade Guidance Option

---

John Deere says that its 113,000-pound (51.2-metric ton) 470G LC excavator now comes with its Grade Guidance option to help the operator dig trench for pipe, shape ditches and slopes, and excavate structural foundations. (Photo courtesy of Deere & Company.)

John Deere says that its 113,000-pound (51.3-metric-ton) 470G LC excavator now comes with the company’s Grade Guidance option to help the operator dig trench for pipe, shape ditches and slopes, and excavate structural foundations. The feature displays the elevation and position of the bucket’s cutting edge in relation to a 2D reference or 3D design surface, making the job easier to complete in a shorter amount of time.

“Accuracy and productivity are critical to our customers, and the new integrated system provides them with just that,” says John Deere Construction & Forestry excavator product marketing manager, Jonny Spendlove. “With this integrated solution, the system’s sensors are protected from damage and the display is conveniently placed in the cab.”

The factory-integrated technology is also available in Deere’s 25-ton (22.7-metric-ton) 210G LC and 40-ton (36.3-metric-ton) 350G LC models.

Grade Guidance

Grade Guidance lets the operator manage the grade without leaving the cab. It also makes a grade checker or grade stakes less necessary, Deere says.

The Grade Guidance display in the operator station will show the dig as either a 2D target plane or a 3D design surface, depending upon whether the excavator is equipped with the 2D system’s optional laser receiver or the 3D edition’s GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) equipment. The latter shows the bucket’s position with respect to a global reference.

Grade Guidance is integrated with the excavator’s joysticks for ease of use during operation. The manufacturer calibrates the system at the factory after installation. It can send system data over the company’s wireless JDLink technology for analysis, if the machine is so equipped.

“Additionally, this technology is fully supported by the customer’s John Deere dealer, eliminating downtime and expediting earthmoving operations,” Spendlove says.

Deere developed Grade Guidance in cooperation with Topcon Positioning Group, but the manufacturer also offers a Grade Guidance-ready option if you plan to install a Trimble or Leica aftermarket kit instead.

---

Grade Guidance comes in a laser-guided 2D version or a 3D edition with GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) positioning. (Photo courtesy of Deere & Company.)

The 470G LC

Deere’s 470G LC has a maximum reach of 41 feet (12.5 meters) and a max digging depth of slightly more than 27 feet (8.2 meters). The 55-ton class machine has a tailswing radius of 12 feet (3.7 meters).

The 470G LC gets its power from a 367-horsepower (274-kilowatt), six-cylinder Deere engine. It complies with Tier 4 emissions standards using a DPF (diesel particulate filter), EGR (exhaust gas recirculation), and a diesel oxidation catalyst.

Source: Deere & Company

Questions? Comments? Visit the RentalYard Forums to ask questions, get answers, and share your thoughts.