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Introduction to the John Deere 455G
The John Deere 455G is a robust and versatile crawler loader widely used in construction, land clearing, and heavy-duty earthmoving tasks. Known for its durable design and reliable performance, the 455G balances power, maneuverability, and operator comfort, making it ideal for operations on mixed and challenging terrains such as clay-heavy soils, rocky grounds, and steeper inclines.
This guide presents an in-depth look at the 455G’s technical features, operational benefits, recommended applications, and maintenance tips, supplemented by practical insights and case-related advice for prospective and current users.
Key Technical Specifications
A small land management group operating on a 90-acre former clay brick quarry found the John Deere 455G to be a strong asset for weekend land restoration work. The steep slopes and soggy clay-laden soils presented challenges that other machines, especially wheeled skid steers, struggled to overcome. The steel tracks of the 455G significantly improved traction, making it possible to clear trails and move sizable rocks efficiently.
Operators appreciated the reliable power and easy hydrostatic controls, which required minimal adjustment between operators. Periodic undercarriage inspections and routine maintenance prevented downtime during the work season. Over the years, the machine proved durable and well-matched to the demands of erosion control and trail repairs on uneven quarry grounds.
Summary List of John Deere 455G Strengths and Features
The John Deere 455G crawler loader stands out as a powerful, reliable, and versatile machine particularly suited for challenging terrains like clay quarries, muddy slopes, and rocky sites. Its combination of a turbocharged diesel engine, steel tracks providing excellent flotation, and hydrostatic transmission offers operators smooth, controlled performance for a variety of earthmoving and land maintenance projects.
With attention to regular service and operation mindful of soil conditions, the 455G provides excellent value, durability, and effectiveness, especially for users seeking sturdy weekend or part-time equipment. Real-world experiences underline its capability to handle heavy-duty tasks efficiently while maintaining operator comfort and machine longevity.
This comprehensive overview merges detailed specifications, operational recommendations, terminology explanations, and practical insights to support owners and prospective buyers in making informed decisions about the John Deere 455G crawler loader.
The John Deere 455G is a robust and versatile crawler loader widely used in construction, land clearing, and heavy-duty earthmoving tasks. Known for its durable design and reliable performance, the 455G balances power, maneuverability, and operator comfort, making it ideal for operations on mixed and challenging terrains such as clay-heavy soils, rocky grounds, and steeper inclines.
This guide presents an in-depth look at the 455G’s technical features, operational benefits, recommended applications, and maintenance tips, supplemented by practical insights and case-related advice for prospective and current users.
Key Technical Specifications
- Engine:
- Model: John Deere 4045T, 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel with altitude compensating turbocharger.
- Rated Power: Around 70 hp (52 kW) net at 2100 rpm, with a gross of approximately 73 hp (54.5 kW).
- Known for strong torque output supporting sustained heavy loading.
- Model: John Deere 4045T, 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel with altitude compensating turbocharger.
- Dimensions and Weight:
- Operating Weight: Approximately 18,745 lbs (8,500 kg).
- Length (with bucket on ground): Around 15 ft (4.57 m).
- Width (outside of tracks): About 6 ft (1.83 m).
- Height to Top of Cab: Roughly 9 ft (2.74 m).
- Ground Clearance: Approximately 1.09 ft (33 cm).
- Track Width: 14 inches, enhancing stability on soft or uneven ground.
- Operating Weight: Approximately 18,745 lbs (8,500 kg).
- Hydraulic System:
- Flow: About 31 gallons per minute (GPM), supplying ample fluid power for lift arms, bucket movements, and auxiliary attachments.
- Hydraulic power facilitates smooth control and effective lifting capacity.
- Flow: About 31 gallons per minute (GPM), supplying ample fluid power for lift arms, bucket movements, and auxiliary attachments.
- Capacities:
- Bucket Capacity: Around 1 cubic yard, adaptable for various materials from soil to rock.
- Dump Height: Approximately 8 ft 6 in, enabling comfortable loading into trucks or hoppers.
- Tipping Load: About 11,800 lbs (5,350 kg), reflecting strong machine stability under load.
- Bucket Capacity: Around 1 cubic yard, adaptable for various materials from soil to rock.
- Transmission and Controls:
- Typically equipped with hydrostatic transmission providing infinite speed control and smooth maneuvering.
- Dual-path hydrostatic drive enhances reliability and response.
- Typically equipped with hydrostatic transmission providing infinite speed control and smooth maneuvering.
- Terrain Handling:
The steel tracks and robust undercarriage deliver excellent traction and flotation in slippery, muddy, or rocky conditions typical of clay soils and quarry terrains. Track loaders like the 455G excel where wheeled loaders might struggle with ground pressure.
- Versatility:
Capable of clearing trails, moving rocks, managing erosion control earthworks, and general site maintenance. The bucket size and hydraulic flow support a broad range of materials and loading operations.
- Operator Comfort:
The cab design provides good visibility, ergonomic controls, and climate comfort features supporting long hours of weekend or part-time use without excessive fatigue.
- Maintenance Requirements:
- Regular oil, filter, and hydraulic fluid changes are essential to minimize downtime.
- Despite reputed durability, steel-tracked machines require periodic track tension adjustment and inspection of undercarriage parts for wear especially in abrasive quarry environments.
- Hydrostatic transmissions benefit from fluid condition monitoring to ensure smooth operation and prevent costly repairs.
- Regular oil, filter, and hydraulic fluid changes are essential to minimize downtime.
- Suitability for Weekend or Limited-Hours Use:
- The 455G is well suited for several hundred hours per year of intermittent use, balancing power and ease of start-up/shut-down procedures.
- Users should maintain scheduled maintenance even with light usage to prevent fluid degradation or seal drying.
- The 455G is well suited for several hundred hours per year of intermittent use, balancing power and ease of start-up/shut-down procedures.
- Advantages Over Comparable Machines (e.g., Bobcat T250):
- Steel tracks provide superior ground contact and flotation on slippery and soft soils compared to rubber tracks on skid steers.
- The 455G’s higher tipping load and larger bucket capacity favor heavier earthmoving and rock clearing tasks.
- Hydrostatic transmission allows smoother control for precise grading or delicate manipulation on uneven ground.
- Steel tracks provide superior ground contact and flotation on slippery and soft soils compared to rubber tracks on skid steers.
- Crawler Loader: A tracked machine combining features of loaders and bulldozers with a front bucket and crawler tracks for enhanced traction.
- Turbocharged Engine: An engine equipped with a turbocharger to increase power and efficiency by forcing more air into the combustion chamber.
- Hydrostatic Transmission (HST): A transmission using hydraulic fluid to drive the vehicle’s movement, providing smooth, infinitely variable speed control.
- Flotation: The ability of the tracks or tires to distribute machine weight over a larger surface area to prevent sinking in soft ground.
- Tipping Load: The maximum weight a loader can lift before it becomes unstable or tips over.
A small land management group operating on a 90-acre former clay brick quarry found the John Deere 455G to be a strong asset for weekend land restoration work. The steep slopes and soggy clay-laden soils presented challenges that other machines, especially wheeled skid steers, struggled to overcome. The steel tracks of the 455G significantly improved traction, making it possible to clear trails and move sizable rocks efficiently.
Operators appreciated the reliable power and easy hydrostatic controls, which required minimal adjustment between operators. Periodic undercarriage inspections and routine maintenance prevented downtime during the work season. Over the years, the machine proved durable and well-matched to the demands of erosion control and trail repairs on uneven quarry grounds.
Summary List of John Deere 455G Strengths and Features
- 70 hp, 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine (John Deere 4045T)
- Operating weight ~18,745 lbs with 14-inch steel tracks for superior flotation
- Bucket capacity approximately 1 cubic yard; tipping load near 11,800 lbs
- Hydrostatic dual-path transmission offering infinite speed control and smooth operation
- Hydraulic flow around 31 GPM supporting robust lifting and auxiliary tool power
- Dimensions accommodating maneuverability in varied terrain (length ~15 ft, width ~6 ft, height ~9 ft)
- Well-suited for heavy earthmoving, trail clearing, rock moving, and erosion management
- Durable for intermittent or weekend use with proper maintenance
- Prioritize maintenance schedules regardless of hourly use to maintain reliability.
- Consider investing in track maintenance tools such as tensioners and track pin greasers.
- For wet or slippery conditions, the steel tracks will offer a significant advantage over rubber-tracked skid steers.
- When working on erosion or delicate terrain, employ slow, controlled movements to avoid destabilizing soil further.
- Explore optional or aftermarket bucket attachments for specialized rock handling or clearing tasks.
The John Deere 455G crawler loader stands out as a powerful, reliable, and versatile machine particularly suited for challenging terrains like clay quarries, muddy slopes, and rocky sites. Its combination of a turbocharged diesel engine, steel tracks providing excellent flotation, and hydrostatic transmission offers operators smooth, controlled performance for a variety of earthmoving and land maintenance projects.
With attention to regular service and operation mindful of soil conditions, the 455G provides excellent value, durability, and effectiveness, especially for users seeking sturdy weekend or part-time equipment. Real-world experiences underline its capability to handle heavy-duty tasks efficiently while maintaining operator comfort and machine longevity.
This comprehensive overview merges detailed specifications, operational recommendations, terminology explanations, and practical insights to support owners and prospective buyers in making informed decisions about the John Deere 455G crawler loader.
