2007 John Deere Forestry Press Releases

TAMPERE, Finland (September 5, 2007) - John Deere presents its new slash bundler, the 1490D Eco III. The John Deere 1490D Eco III comes with the same innovative Eco III features as other previously launched Eco III harvesters and forwarders. The new John Deere 1490D Eco III is also available with either a fixed mount or detachable bundler unit.

Productive Bundling and Forwarding with the Detachable Bundler Unit*

The detachable bundler unit of the new 1490D Eco III is mounted on a rear frame familiar from the John Deere 1410D Eco III. The bundler unit can be detached from the rear frame and the 1490D then equipped with a load space, allowing the machine to be used as a forwarder. Optional extras include many of the load space options available for the 1410D Eco III.

The main components of the 1490D slash bundler with a detachable bundler unit include a powerful CF7 boom with a 10-meter reach length, the bundler unit, a detachable adapter for the bundler unit, a rear frame from the 1410D model and hardwearing HD (Heavy Duty) bogies from the 1410D Eco III forwarder. The detachable model is especially well suited for seasonal work and for operators who also need to use the base machine for forwarding.

Efficient Year-round Bundling with a Fixed Mount Slash Bundler

The bundler unit of the fixed mount slash bundler is mounted on a 1490D Eco III rear frame, which has been specifically designed to accommodate the unit. The main components include a powerful CF5 boom with a 10-meter reach length, the bundler unit, a fixed adapter for the bundler unit, a rear frame specifically designed for the unit and bogies from the 1010D Eco III forwarder. A fixed mount slash bundler is the right choice for operators who bundle slash continuously throughout the year.

Automated RPMs

The John Deere 1490D Eco III slash bundler comes with a software feature that automatically lowers the engine's RPMs to idle if the boom is not used within a set time. The RPMs automatically increase when work is resumed. Thanks to the automated RPMs, the machine runs even more quietly than before and its fuel consumption is minimal.

The new Eco mode optimizes the engine's RPMs with a hydrostatic transmission ratio to achieve the desired vehicle speed at the lowest possible RPMs. The Eco mode can be used at both low and high speeds. The Eco mode engages automatically whenever the machine is operated within the low speed range in the forest. Correspondingly, the Eco mode’s high speed range can be engaged when the terrain is level and undemanding, such as on a dirt road.

John Deere PowerTech Plus^TM Engine

The John Deere 1490D Eco III comes with John Deere’s own innovative PowerTech Plus^TM engine, which has been specifically designed for heavy-duty use and conforms to Tier III emission regulations. Thanks to the new PowerTechPlus^TM engines, the maximum power is up to 6% higher than before, depending on the model.

The most important improvements compared to the old engine are as follows:

• Maximum power up to 6% higher than before, depending on the model
• Even better torque at low RPMs
• Even faster responses to changes in the load
• Cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR)
• Variable geometry turbocharger (VGT)
• Four-valve cylinder head
• High pressure common rail (HPCR) fuel system in all models
• Viscous fan clutch included as standard
• More advanced engine diagnostics

John Deere PowerTech Plus^TM:

• John Deere JD 6068 PowerTech Plus
• Turbocharged inter-cooled diesel
• 6 cylinders, 6.8-liter cylinder capacity
• Power output 136 kW/1,900 RPM
• Torque 780 Nm/1,400 RPM
  

For more information, please contact:

Timo Salomaa
Communications Manager
John Deere Forestry Oy
tel. +358 (0)40 821 4573

* Specifications subject to change.  Please contact your local dealer for the most current information.