John Deere enhances L-Series backhoe loaders

John Deere announced it’s upgrading the engines, hydraulics and machine control capabilities of its L-Series backhoe loaders with the goal to boost productivity and uptime while reducing operating costs.

Five of the L-Series models — the 310L, 310SL, 315SL, 310SL HL and 410L — are receiving the 4.5-liter John Deere PowerTech EWL engines, which offer more horsepower and torque than the previous versions. These Tier 4 Final engines don’t have an exhaust gas recirculation system, which should improve reliability, according to the company’s announcement.

The 310SL model is adding pressure-compensated, load-sensing (PCLS) hydraulics, already included in several of its fellow L-Series machines. The PCLS system allows more backhoe controllability at any engine speed, better productivity and more flexibility with conducting trenching operation at lower engine rpm, which cuts down on fuel consumption and job site noise.

Also new for the 310SL model is Lift Mode: a feature that automatically sets the engine speed to 1,400 rpm and increases max hydraulic pressure to 4,000 PSI, for a maximum of 10-15% increase in lift capacity.

Additional offerings such as AutoShift technology, Auto Ride Control, an LED boom light kit and a redesigned loader lever linkage will now be base features in the 310SL, 315SL, 310SL HL, 410L and 710L.

Although the 310L EP backhoe loader is not updating to the PowerTech EWL engine — its 3.3-liter Yanmar engine with 69 horsepower will remain  — the model’s updates include a simpler front-axle design and a four-speed manual synchromesh transmission.

“These upgrades build upon the best features found on the L-Series machines, resulting in a lineup designed to power through the toughest jobs,” said Brian Hennings, product manager, John Deere Construction & Forestry.

John Deere is the third-largest original equipment manufacturer in the world, according to Yellow Table, International Construction’s ranking of contruction equipment manufacturers by sales.