CERTIFIED CUSTOMER SUPPORT ADVISORS -- Experts

We have a staff of John Deere Certified Customer Support Advisors.  Their goal in our organization is to share their knowledge and expertise with you to help you reduce your owning and operating costs.  To earn their certification from Deere, they attended training which took place over the course of a year.  

 

PRESSURE TACTICS
Don't underestimate the importance of proper tire inflation
Is it possible to blow the importance of tire inflation out of proportion? Not according to Dennis Munns, a specialist in four-wheel-drive loaders for John Deere.

"Inflation means everything to loader performance," says Munns. "It has a dramatic effect on productivity, stability and ride."  Not to mention the life of the tire itself.  "Tires don’t heal," Munns explains. "Underinflate or overinflate and you’ll take life out of the tire."

"As a general rule with four-wheel-loaders, you’ll want to run with rear tires and half the pressure of the front tires," he adds. "That surprises a lot of people. In fact, I’d venture to guess that 90 to 95 percent of front tires on wheel loaders out in the field right now are underinflated.

"Lower tire pressure in rear tires tends to improve fore-aft stability and ride. Proper pressure in front tires improves side-to-side stability and tire life."

So now we know proper inflation is important. Where do we start?

Recommended psi is the starting point. You’ll find this information in the tire-maintenance manual that accompanies the tires upon purchase. Follow the instructions carefully for determining the correct tire pressure. Keep in mind, the weight of your machine and the typical weight of the load are critical factors in determining the correct pressure. Also consider that additional psi might be needed to provide the necessary stability. However, it’s important that you NEVER exceed the tire psi capacity.

"All things staying the same, check tire pressure weekly at a minimum, but any changes in ground conditions or material being handled demands immediate attention," says Munns. "Cold inflation pressure is the baseline for tire pressure."

"Also, when adjusting pressure, do so only in 2-psi increments (unless you know the exact pressure needed), otherwise it’ll really changes your handling characteristics."

The good news is this: When you make proper tire inflation part of a complete tire management program, you’ll see substantial benefits to your bottom line.

 

Survival Guide for Rising, Owning & Operating Costs
Psychologists say stress occurs when you’re accountable for something which you have no control. Maybe that explains why so many heavy equipment managers suffer from sleep deprivation these days. It’s hard to drift off to dreamland with visions of rising, owning and operating costs dancing around in your head.

Total-repair-cost-management (TRCM) is the Brooks Tractor and John Deere solution to these malaise. It’s a comprehensive line-up of ongoing programs and services that help control costs, increase profits and reduce stress.

A Secure Extended Warranty, for example, gives you a fixed cost for machine repairs for a given period of time. You pick what’s covered, and you choose how long you want the coverage to remain in effect.

MaintainIt software computerizes your entire maintenance program.

RemanSelect components give like-new performance at a fraction of the cost. These transmissions, engines, hydraulic pumps and the like come with a 1-year/1,500-hour parts and labor warranty when installed by the dealer.

For excavators whose age and condition don’t justify remanufactured components, there’s ValueSelect used parts, a complete line of components for Cat, Komatsu, Kobelco, Koehring, Ling-belt and John Deere. All are cleaned, inspected and restored to normal usable condition. They carry a 1-year/1,500 hour-warranty when dealer installed, 90 days if customer installed.

The key to all that TRCM has to offer your business is your dealer’s Customer Support Advisor. He knows the TRCM approach inside and out, and has the skills to analyze your business and apply each program. The result is an equipment maintenance game plan that’s