John Deere construction equipment gets speed upgrade

Construction workers may be able to carry heavy loads faster thanks to an updated piece of John Deere machinery.
Construction workers may be able to carry heavy loads faster thanks to an updated piece of John Deere machinery.
Construction equipment maker John Deere announced recently it is adding an upgrade to its 318D and 320D skid-steer loaders.

By the end of this year, buyers will be able to flip a switch to toggle between low and high speeds on the pieces of construction equipment, according to John Deere. Shifting is controlled electronically, which should make transitions smoother.

"Smooth shifting helps eliminate bucket spillage, and ensures that more loads are spread or dumped when and where you want them," said Gregg Zupancic, a John Deere product marketing manager.

Zupancic also said being able to travel at faster speeds will increase productivity for construction equipment users. Load times will be quicker, as will the time it takes traveling from job to job.

Overall, the improvement represents a 62 percent speed upgrade, as machines can now travel 11 mph. The construction equipment is designed to assist in a variety of project types, including highway, municipal and landscaping.

Recently, John Deere released a number of product improvements, including updates to engines, farm equipment and crop management systems.