Contractors comparing the new John Deere 544L wheel loader with its predecessor 544K will notice three major changes, says Chris Cline, Deere product marketing manager for utility wheel loaders: the cab environment, electric-over-hydraulic controls and the linkage.
The 166-horsepower 544L, on display at the 2019 World of Concrete show, is one of three utility loaders updated to the L- Series. The 524L and 624L also were recently announced by Deere.
“The cab is completely new with a focus on operator comfort,” Cline says. This includes an optional premium heavy-duty air suspension seat that is heated, ventilated and offers additional legroom. The HVAC system now includes a rear defrost, increased air flow and reduced noise. Three standard 12-volt auxiliary power ports in the cab allow charging of multiple devices. There’s also an emphasis on functional storage for such things as lunch boxes.
The new electric-over-hydraulic controls allow for both operator-specific control settings, and attachment-specific settings. Two multifunction buttons integrated into the hydraulic controls can also be programmed to operator-desired settings. The seat-mounted right-hand joystick has a standard forward-neutral-reverse switch and integrated auxiliary hydraulic controls. A throttle lock option removes the need to push the throttle to maintain engine speed.
“Owners can assign operator-specific PINs, which allow operators to set up the machine the way they desire,” Cline says. Up to 10 attachment settings can be programmed via the in-cab monitor. “You set everything up your way,” Cline says.
