A new range of skid steer machines designed for tough conditions has been introduced to the Africa Middle East (AME) market.

Said to be ideal for use in the agriculture, construction and materials handling sectors, John Deere AME’s range of vehicles includes the 316G and 318G skid steers. The 318G is described as a powerful and versatile machine built with durability, productivity and operator comfort in mind.

The machine features a range of advanced technology features:

• Full-tilt access facilitates entry through the rear door for access to dipsticks, fuel- and fluid-filler necks, and filters at ground level. The operator station can also be swung up and out of the way, for easy access to the drivetrain.
• Heavy-duty drivetrains oil-lubricated and designed to be resilient without the need for regular adjustment. Reinforced drive sprockets help ensure long-lasting durability.
• Wheel options allow the 318G to reduce its size to allow it to manoeuvre through narrow openings. The axle torque and optimised boom and bucket breakout forces are designed to enable it to effectively excavate, pry, and push through clay, as well as maintain a heaped bucket.
• The machine's low centre of gravity, 30¡ bucket rollback, optional hydraulic self-levelling and ride control all help to increase carrying capacity and reduce spillage. Up to two sets of counterweights can be added to further increase capacity.
• The scrap grapples are equipped with two dual-action hydraulic-powered grapples that grab and secure items. For tasks such as land clearing, job site cleanup, and brush removal, the rock grapples are said to be highly effective.

Capabilities can be further enhanced with silage defacers, material/manure scrapers, bale huggers, bale spears, and buckets for handling hay, cleaning pens, re-bedding stalls, and other agricultural tasks.

The range of buckets available include multipurpose, dirt, rock and rollout buckets, each with different widths and capacities and the grading-heel bucket is said to be ideal for back dragging.

The overhead panel is designed for easy and convenient use and includes a LCD monitor that displays a range of information and control options.

The equipment features large coolers that are designed to facilitate uninterrupted performance in demanding, high-load conditions and the engine-mounted belt-driven cooling fan helps to optimise cooling.

With robust cross-section boom arms and heavy-duty upper links, the 318G is designed for challenging tasks and long-term durability. Its vertical lift capabilities are said to increase lift height and extend reach at the top of the lift path, ensuring stability during operations, while the radial lift capabilities extend reach at intermediate lift heights, making it suitable for digging, grading and backfilling tasks.