John Deere Excavators Summarized — 2019 Spec Guide
Six Diggers Ranging from the Nimble 17G to the Powerful 60G
John Deere has been manufacturing excavators for more than 40 years. Responding to customer demand for excavating equipment that can fit in small spaces without sacrificing the power of larger-scale models, John Deere introduced its first line of compact excavators in 1986. Since then, the company has worked to improve the strength, precision and productivity in each new model through direct customer feedback.
With more than two dozen models that have evolved over the years, John Deere’s current compact excavator lineup includes the 17G, 26G, 30G, 35G, 50G and 60G, allowing operators to choose the size and horsepower needed to get the job done. Their compact sizes and reduced tail swing designs enable these small but mighty machines to specialize in close-quarters work. The highly fuel-efficient, EPA Tier 4 Final/EU Stage IV compliant direct-injected diesel engines are noticeably quiet so you can put them to work almost anywhere, anytime. There are also many optional John Deere attachments, including rakes, breakers and augers, which can make a sizeable impact on versatility.
The 30G is the most recent addition to the John Deere compact excavator portfolio, geared toward customers looking for a solution in the 3- to 4-metric-ton class. The 30G is equipped with all the standard G-Series features customers have come to expect, including mechanical pattern changers, quick-couplers and proportional auxiliary hydraulics. Boosting operator comfort, the new compact model features a redesigned cab with heat and air conditioning, a new seat with adjustable wrist rests for day-long comfort and foldable travel pedals to maximize foot room.
The 17G, the smallest in the G-Series, has a retractable undercarriage that enables it to squeeze through narrow openings for mechanized muscle in places where shovels used to be the only option. On all models, ergonomic, low-effort pilot controls allow operators to easily maneuver the arm exactly where it needs to be. An optional long arm allows users to reach even farther. With a zero tail swing design, Deere’s compact excavators can rotate fully without banging a tail into something. Combined with independent swing boom and 360-degree rotation, they can slip into close quarters comfortably and work with ease around obstacles.
John Deere’s largest compact excavator, the 60G, is just right for landscaping, underground, utility or site development work. Like other compacts, it excels in close quarters and is easy to trailer. But with its dig forces, digging depth and comfortable cab, it produces and feels more like a small mid-size excavator.
Advice to Buyers
“Customers who are in the market for a compact excavator should consider the location and parameters of the jobsite,” explains Jonathan Spendlove, John Deere product marketing manager for excavators. “The ergonomic flow and reduced tail swing of a machine will offer productivity in tight spaces. Additionally, the type of terrain the machine is being used on will impact how to maintain and prevent wear during use.”
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