John Deere 772GP motor grader 2021 Machine Spotlight

John Deere has promised its new grader range will bring about new levels of blade control, efficiency and accuracy, so when Western Australian John Deere construction equipment dealership, AFGRI Equipment, took one out for a spin, we had to go check them out.

The dealership had the 772GP (Grade Pro) model on display and in action at the demo event earlier this year. The machine features new paint, new decals, a more powerful engine, a new LCD screen, increased front assembly strength and realigned hydraulic hoses to prevent damage.

The engine is a PowerTech 9.0-litre six-cylinder rated at 194hp to 260hp (gear dependant) and a torque of 1288Nm.

The 772GP, alongside other G-series motor grader models, all come fully integrated with SmartGrade technology from the factory which greatly aids operators in achieving precise grading. Some of the tech include an integrated GPS and in-cylinder position sensing system that allows the operator to stay on grade no matter the blade pitch or articulation angle.

The mastless system means there are no external poles and cables to worry about that are traditionally susceptible to theft and damage.

“Poles and cables are expensive and you’d be surprised how often they get broken,” said AFGRI Construction representative, Leigh Esplan.

“There are lots of positives with eliminating these masts.”

An optional Automation Suite is available on the SmartGrade models that are designed to streamline the number of controls needed to perform common tasks. Auto-Articulation combines front and rear steering while Blade Flip automatically mirrors the circle and flips the blade to a preset angle.

Finally, Machine Presets allow operators to activate multiple machine functions, features, and positions such as turning lights on or lifting and turning the blade with the press of a single button.

However, a new Premium Circle, which is available as an option, really stood out as a game-changing piece of tech.

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First introduced in March 2020, Premium Circle is essentially a fully sealed circle attached to the blade that requires no adjustment and maintenance, hence reducing parts and labour costs.

Traditional circle designs usually require operators to spend valuable time in the shop replacing or shimming the wear inserts, as opposed to being on the job. Because the Premium Circle is fully sealed and completely protects all parts including pinion and circle teeth from dirt, operators need not spend valuable time cleaning and maintaining the circle.

All the Premium Circle requires is a few minutes to grease every 500 hours.

In addition to reduced maintenance costs, the Premium Circle also offers productivity benefits, John Deere claimed.

When married up with the mastless GPS system, the Premium Circle also helps improve accuracy as operators no longer need to compensate for wear in the circle, John Deere said.

In the case of road works, for example, it means the final surfacing - such as bitumen - will be exactly as demanded by surveys.

“The grader can deliver 40 per cent more torque and up to 15 per cent more speed with the Premium Circle, compared with previous circle designs,” Esplan said.

“The Premium Circle option may cost a bit more initially but there are cost savings immediately by not having to replace the wear shims.

“It also requires less maintenance, so reduces operating costs especially those relating to downtime for repair and replacement.

“In the longer term, it’s more accurate and more cost effective for the owner.”

The design features of the latest 772GP with SmartGrade reduces a lot of complexity in driving the machine and makes the operation less stressful for the person behind the wheel, Esplan said.

An Auto-shift function allows operators to seamlessly transition from a stop to full speed without having to shift or use the inching pedal. It is also able to change gears where appropriate when passing through heavy earth to prevent the machine from lugging.

Like other John Deere equipment, it has hydrostatic drive that promises 15 per cent more power delivery than rivals with mechanical drive because it eliminates additional transmission and differentials that sap engine power.

As part of the SmartGrade package, an “Eco” mode is available for operators to select that reduces engine revs in gears one to five. This helps to improve fuel economy and reduce operating costs by up to 10 per cent, John Deere claimed.

An auto-shutdown system keeps the engine idling for a period after parking to maintain oil to components such as the turbocharger bearings and hydraulically-driven cooling fans for the engine radiator.

The radiator also has a reverse-flow feature to blow out dust and debris for maximum cooling efficiency.

The '2' in the 772 grader’s model name refers to the six-wheel drive layout, which means all models in the new G-series has six-wheel drive available. If the model name ends in '0', it’s a tandem drive machine.

For the operator, the difference between 6WD and tandem drive is the former's superior pulling ability when moving a lot of weight, Deere said.

The 6WD system also improves steering response, allowing the front wheels to ‘bite’ into the ground. The 6WD can also be run in only front-wheel drive - called ‘precision mode’- with speeds from 0.4km/h to 8km/h for fine tuning of the road surface.

The 772GP shares the same 6.16m wheelbase and strong A-frame design with its siblings.

It also features a lot of common parts used across John Deere’s construction equipment range such as sealed wet disc brakes and hydrostatic drive, meaning the components can be easily and quickly replaced when the need arises.

The cabin features climate control and an air-suspension seat for all-day comfort. Fold-down oil and air-conditioner radiators allow for easy cleaning.

There are three control options on the 772GP – conventional lever type controls, dual joystick controls or arm-rest mounted fingertip control.

The latter, which is John Deere’s top-end operator system, was introduced almost three years ago and has now become the most popular option among operators with a take-up rate of about 60 per cent, according to AFGRI.

Cabin wiring and controls are integrated to reduce the risks of damage and theft.

John Deere has made changes to its grader line-up to offer more choices for operators, with the smallest grader now being the 620G/GP, sliding under the 670.

The 620 was added after John Deere raised the power and capability of the 670, hence pushing it into another class altogether.

The 620 model is powered by a 6.8-litre engine rated at 170hp-225hp and 1035Nm of torque, compared with the 670’s 9.0-litre unit with 200-255hp and 1292Nm.

The 620 will suit operators looking for a machine without the extra power, Deere said.

Meanwhile, its larger sibling – the 772, has been gaining traction in the market with AFGRI Equipment having sold several units in WA.