The new John Deere J-Series Backhoe with Total Machine Control (TMC) is flat-out cool. What else would you call a machine that replaces old-fashioned fully hydraulic controls with chair-mounted electro-hydraulic joysticks? We hit the road to let John Deere Consumer Advocate Group (CAG) members, the team with so much input into the J’s design, tell you their impressions.

Phoenix rising
First stop on the CAG tour: Dewey Arizona, where longtime 310SG fan Terry Baker of V.H. Grading & Excavating gives the new rig two thumbs-up. “I really like the 310SJ a lot — the power, the front-end grading, and the speed. I prefer the fingertip control on the SJ because it’s a pleasure to run and easier on my back.”

Terry’s boss and V.H. President Brian Van Hook appreciates the new loader, too. “The 310SJ has increased productivity, about 20 percent, and the operators seem to like staying on the machine longer. It’s just more comfortable for them. I have run every Deere from the A all the way to this new SJ, and I can tell you this is the finest backhoe on the market today.” 

The new J-series backhoes are a big hit with contractors across North America

California teaming
While we were on the West Coast, we swung by Fremont, California, to talk all things J Backhoe with another CAG team member, Steve Hicklin. “What Deere knew going into the next generation of a great backhoe,” says the owner/operator, "is the relationship between operator comfort and productivity. There’s so much less stress with the TMC electro-hydraulic controls, operators can turn cycles faster and go longer. My wife noticed it — she says I come home happier."

While the CAG members like talking about the TMC controls, it’s worth noting the many innovations worked into the entire line of J Backhoes — TMC and otherwise. This line of ‘hoes boasts an improved cooling package, more reliable electronics, and silk-smooth PowerShift™ trannies that deliver fast acceleration, higher transport speeds, and on the-fly shifting. Okay, back to the way-cool controls.

Country & Midwestern
Next stop: Charles City, Iowa, where Kisch Excavating L.L.C. has been running a new J ‘Hoe for a few months. “The Total Machine Control cycle times are phenomenal,” says contractor Jim Kisch. “You go down in the hole fast and you come out swinging. And the three hydraulic speeds are just great — ‘Slow’ lets us do precise work, ‘Medium’ is like a traditional backhoe speed, and ‘Fast’ is…fast! Once you get the hang of it, you get a lot of work done in no time flat.” Fellow Iowan Kelly Cortum of Kelly Cortum, Incorporated, agrees. “The productivity of the 310SJ is even better than the G-Series. We experience jobsites where we get more footage a day than what we had previously experienced with the G.

The feedback I get from all ten of my operators is very positive.”

Well, the boss likes the productivity, but how does an operator like these new whiz-bang controls? We ask Mike Hassebrock. "This 310SJ is simple to run compared to the old-style machines," opines Mike. "The joysticks are right there with you, and they move with you. Wherever you go in that seat…there they are. The mini joystick is a great feature — get stuck with the TMC, and this joystick easily gets you out of a ditch."

Canadian comfort
"One of the great things about the 410J is it was designed in part by customers,” says Attila Varga, owner of Varko Excavating Inc., Calgary, Alberta. “The interior of this machine is so incredibly comfortable. Like the new tilt steering that comes up a lot farther.” We’ve always held that no one has ever built a ‘stuck proof’ machine. Mr. Varga begged to differ and tears into our request for a demonstration like a rodeo rider.

"If you’re stuck or just want to push yourself ahead as you’re trenching, you lift up your front boom and push yourself ahead,” says Mr. Varga as he rocks the machine and moves it forward. “It’s amazing how much time you save when production trenching. You’ll trim seconds and minutes that really add up.”

Bottom line? The early word on the new from-the-hubs-up J-Series Backhoe add up to new highs in productivity and uptime for industrious contractors everywhere.

Varko Excavating Inc. and Southern Excavating are serviced by Brandt Tractor. Kelly Cortum, Incorporated and Kisch Excavating L.L.C. are serviced by Murphy Tractor. V.H. Grading & Excavating is serviced by RDO Construction Equipment.

>> More information about John Deere’s J-Series Backhoes

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