The John Deere 850L is a 225-horsepower crawler dozer that uses a Tier 4-F PowerTech PSS 6090 diesel for 10 percent more power than the K Series predecessor and 23 percent more peak torque. In Eco mode, Deere says the dozer consumes 20 percent less fuel. Auto-idle and idle shutdown are standard.
A dual-path hydrostatic transmission has pumps that are 13 percent larger than the predecessor. The PAT blade (power angle tilt) measures 172 inches wide, and the eight-roller track puts 130 inches on the ground.
The crawler dozer comes standard with grade control-ready electrohydraulic (EH) valves and is available with the company’s SmartGrade package. SmartGrade, which uses Topcon 3D-MC2 technology paired with Deere’s track load-sensing system, is integrated into the dozer, eliminating the need for masts and the external cables associated with them. Topcon, Leica, and Trimble are also supported.
The operator station is new, with 15 percent more space and an angled seat, which allows for a clear view to the ripper. Interior noise levels are 27 percent less than the K Series model, and the HVAC system was upgraded with a brushless motor for improved air flow. Cab options include a heated, ventilated seat; rear camera; and automatic temperature control.
A large monitor provides intuitive, push-button access to machine information, including temperatures, pressures, and diagnostics. A rearview camera is optional.
Also new are ergonomic control joysticks for transmission and hydraulic functions. The transmission control has a rocker switch for forward-neutral-reverse direction of travel. The hydraulic stick has a proportional thumb roller for adjusting blade angle or power pitch. Other buttons enable grade control, increment/decrement grade control, blade shake (PAT only), and return to pitch (outside dozer only).
Electrical and hydraulic routing has been improved. The mainframe features increased thickness by as much as 60 percent in some areas of the machine. The cooling package was also upgraded with larger fin spacing and a simplified design allowing full access to both sides of the cooler. A standard hydraulic reversing fan automatically back-blows the cooler cores at preset intervals.
The tilt cab can raise up to 65 degrees, providing access to major machine components, and enlarged service doors provide quick access to checkpoints and filters. Service intervals have been extended.
Deere-designed, factory-installed configurations include wastehandler, forestry protections, mechanical angle blade, and a purpose built pipelayer-ready model.
