John Deere’s Long-Reach 953ML Shovel Logger Is Made For Soft Ground Conditions

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John Deere’s new 953ML has long, wide tracks to operate on marshy, soft terrain. (Photo courtesy of Deere & Company.)

Deere & Company designed its new 953ML shovel logger with a long, wide undercarriage for work in swamps, marshes, and wetlands. The green machine also comes with a 36.1-foot (11-meter) swamp-logger boom with a live heel for excellent control over log position.

“We are committed to providing loggers with proven equipment solutions that meet their unique needs, regardless of the jobsite,” says John Deere Product Manager Jim O’Halloran. “The new 953ML expands our portfolio to offer a machine engineered with wetland conditions in mind. Unlike wheeled machines, this purpose-built shovel logger can effortlessly tackle swampy terrain.”

Designed To Perform

The John Deere 953ML has a wide, 60-inch (1,524-millimeter) grapple capacity. When used in conjunction with the live heel boom, the grapple provides dexterous handling of fallen timber for precision placement.

The shovel logger’s wide track system is durably constructed, the manufacturer says, and it provides ample maneuverability. The 953ML’s undercarriage also has respectable ground clearance.

“It’s got all the reach you need to get down into a hole and grab something,” says Trey Freeman of Deere customer Long Bay Trucking. “It has the lifting power and stability for handling big logs. And with the long tracks, it has plenty of flotation for working in wetlands. The ride and feel are smooth and comfortable.”

The 953ML is powered by a 330-horsepower (246-kilowatt) John Deere PowerTech 9.0-liter diesel engine. The tail swing of the superstructure measures 10 ft, 5 in. (3.18 m).

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The 953ML has a 36.1-foot swamp-logger boom with a 60-inch grapple and a live heel. (Photo courtesy of Deere & Company.)

Eyes On The Work

John Deere designed the shovel logger’s operator station for comfort and visibility. An air-ride seat with fully adjustable armrests comes standard, as does a climate control system and joystick-mounted buttons. The front window runs from the floor to the ceiling, while the side windows are almost as tall. An overhead skylight and boom-mounted lights supply even more of a view on the jobsite.

“There’s plenty of room in the cab, and the visibility is great,” Freeman says. “I can look out and grab what I need to grab. And if I start to get stuck, I can see the tracks really well.”

A new 953ML comes with a five-year subscription to JDLink telematics. JDLink powers John Deere’s TimberMatic Maps and TimberManager software platform for real-time production planning with machinery location, productivity, and status monitoring.

Source: Deere & Company