Rain or shine, there’s no substitute for getting in the seat and putting a machine to work.
On Wednesday, October 14, we brought contrators together at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City for a hands on demonstration of the new John Deere P-Tier excavators, giving attendees an opportunity to get in the seat and operate these machines. The rain stuck around for most of the day, but that didn’t stop attendees from climbing into the cab, testing the machines, and seeing the latest excavator technology in action. Ponchos went on, buckets kept digging, and the demonstrations carried on.
The event featured the John Deere 210, 230 and 260 P-Tier excavators, along with live demonstrations of four key features designed to help operators work with greater precision, visibility, and control.
Whether you joined us in Oklahoma City or couldn’t make it out, here’s a closer look at the machines and technology we put to the test.
The machines: John Deere 210, 230 and 260 P-Tier
The 210 P-Tier: The everyday 20-ton machine
The 210 P-Tier is a strong fit for everyday excavation, utility work, site development, and general construction. Its size makes it a versatile option for contractors who need a machine that can handle a variety of jobs.
The 230 P-Tier: More power for demanding work
The 230 P-Tier builds on that capability with additional operating weight and power. For jobs involving trenching, truck loading, and lifting, those differences can make it a worthwhile step up.
The 260 P-Tier: More reach and digging capability
For contractors tackling deeper excavations and higher-volume truck loading, the 260 P-Tier offers a larger machine with greater reach, digging depth, and power. It also fills the larger-machine position previously occupied by the 250 in the lineup.
All three are redesigned from the ground up. Technology that used to be an add-on now comes on the machine: 2D Grade Control, Virtual Fences, SmartWeigh™, EZ Control and Machine Damage Avoidance. Full specifications for each model are on our crawler excavators page, and our John Deere P-Tier excavator lineup covers the rest of the line.
Four Features We Put to the Test
1. 2D Grade Control
Getting a trench to the right depth or slope takes attention and repeated grade checks. John Deere 2D Grade Control helps simplify that process by displaying grade information right in the cab.
Operators set a target depth or slope on the display and use the on-screen guidance to work toward the desired grade. When a compatible laser reference is available, the system can use that reference to help maintain the target.
These machines are SmartGrade ready, so 2D can be upgraded to full 3D SmartGrade with Topcon or Leica later. Learn more in our post on John Deere SmartGrade excavators.
2. Jobsite Geofence
Knowing where your equipment is can be just as important as knowing what it’s doing. With John Deere Operations Center™ and a JDLink-equipped machine, contractors can set up a jobsite geofence to help monitor equipment movement.
Draw a boundary around a jobsite and receive an alert when a connected machine crosses it. Geofencing can also help you monitor equipment arrivals, giving you another way to keep track of deliveries and machine activity.
There’s an important difference between a jobsite geofence and an in-cab Virtual Fence. A geofence tracks a machine’s location on a map. Virtual Fences help establish operating limits for functions such as boom height, digging depth, and swing movement. Our team can help customers get set up with these digital tools at delivery. For a deeper look at connected equipment and fleet management, Our post on John Deere digital tools covers it in more depth.
3. Remote Display Access
Sometimes an operator needs a second set of eyes. Maybe they’re working through a grade control setup or trying to understand a diagnostic message. Remote Display Access makes it possible for an authorized person outside the cab to view the machine’s display remotely.
With the operator’s permission, a member of the CL Boyd team can look at the same screen and help troubleshoot a question or work through a setup. That can make it easier to get answers without requiring someone to travel to the machine just to see what’s on the display.
For contractors working across multiple jobsites, that kind of remote support can be especially useful. It connects the operator with people who can help while keeping the focus on getting the work done.
4. Cab Features & Functions
A machine’s technology matters, but so does the experience of using it day after day. The P-Tier cab brings key controls, machine information, and operator adjustments together in one workspace. Here are a few features we highlighted during the demonstration:
- New 12.8-inch G5 Plus touchscreen: Access machine information, attachment settings, and camera views from the in-cab display. Camera views can be shown full screen or split screen.
- Adjustable seating and controls: The seat offers 10-way adjustment, while the armrests and joysticks can be adjusted without tools to help operators find a comfortable working position.
- Attachment Manager: Store settings for up to 20 attachments. When switching between compatible attachments, operators can select the appropriate one on the display and access its saved settings.
- Work modes: Choose from Dig, Lift, and Eco modes to match machine operation to the task at hand.
CL Boyd Product Support Team
The excavators weren’t the only thing worth checking out. Our parts, service and technical support team had a tent set up between registration and the food trucks, giving attendees a chance to connect with the people behind the equipment. Whether they had a question about a machine they already run or wanted to learn more about CL Boyd’s support services, our team was there to help.
The day before, under a different sky
Our team walked the site on Tuesday with the machines already set on the pads and the bleachers in place. The forecast had a chance of rain in it. Wednesday delivered more than a chance, and the people who came stood under the tent, watched the demos through the rain and climbed into the cabs anyway.
See the John Deere P-Tier Excavators for Yourself
Demo Day was about more than introducing new machines. It was an opportunity to get contractors hands-on with the equipment, ask questions, and see how the latest John Deere excavator technology could fit into their work.
Even with the rain, attendees got time in the seat and a closer look at the features built into the 210, 230, and 260 P-Tier excavators. And while a recap can cover the highlights, it can’t quite replace the experience of operating the machine yourself.
Interested in the new John Deere P-Tier excavators? CL Boyd can help you compare models, explore available technology, and find the right fit for your operation.
Browse the crawler excavators, check the current offers on our promotions page, or contact your CL Boyd representative to learn more.