Oct 2, 2013 - 5 years ago
By Supply Post
Designed specifically
for lower-clearance applications,
John Deere introduces
the 8-foot tall, economical
204K and 304K
Compact Wheel Loaders.
Both machines include features
to increase productivity,
visibility, versatility,
and lower daily operating
costs.
“The 204K and 304K
are the next generation
of John Deere compact
wheel loaders designed
on feedback from various
landscape and agricultural
customers,” said Doug
Laufenberg, Product Marketing
Manager for compact
wheel loaders, John
Deere Construction & Forestry.
“To be successful on
the jobsite, our customers
wanted a shorter machine
with simplified hydraulics,
loader linkage and electrical
systems along with a
skid steer style coupler and
a standard open canopy.”
A foot lower than other
compact John Deere wheel
loaders, the 204K and 304K
feature rigid front and rear
axles to meet the 8-foot
height while lowering the
centre of gravity and increasing
stability and the tipping
load limit. The two new
models can easily reach and
work in areas with restricted
access such as door and
trailer openings.

Both models come
standard with an open operator
station designed to
withstand the elements,
featuring weather-resistant
gauges, extended rooftops,
non-skid floor mats, and
optional vandal proofing.
The open-canopy model
is perfect for applications
where the operator has to
frequently get on and off
the machine or applications
where the operator
does not want to worry
about breaking glass. For
year-round comfort, operators
will still have the option
of utilizing a heated
and air-conditioned cab.
The cabs are comfortably
equipped and offer unobstructed
views of attachments
and the surrounding
work area. To enhance operation,
the boom, bucket,
and forward-neutral-reverse
switch are on the
same ergonomic, low-effort
lever for convenient one-hand
control.
The 204K (59 hp/ 44kW)
and 304K (64 hp/ 48 kW)
boast an Interim Tier 4 diesel
engine and a two-speed
transmission with a top
speed of 12 mph to swiftly
navigate the jobsite. If one
wheel slips when navigating
soft terrain, limited
slip differential transfers
that wheel’s power to the
opposite wheel to restore
traction. Articulated steering
assists in turning ability
and offers operators flexibility
when picking up or
positioning loads. Fingertip
control of the coupler,
travel speed, park brake,
lights, and other machine
functions are close and
convenient to the operator.
An optional creeper control
allows slow, incremental
travel speeds while maintaining
full hydraulic flow.

To keep operating
costs at a minimum, a
transverse-mounted engine
allows for quick and
convenient daily servicing.
The electrical system minimizes
the number of wires,
mechanical relays, and
unsealed connections for
maximum durability and
uptime. In addition, the
machines’ vertical filters
and environmental drains
are also easily-accessible at
ground-level.
Those that change attachments often will enjoy
a push-button actuated
skid-steer style coupler.
The coupler comes standard
on the boom and enables
operators to attach
and release John Deere
Worksite Pro attachments
quickly, without tools or
leaving the seat. The coupler
can connect to numerous
implements – from
blades, buckets and pushers,
to scrap and brush-tine
grapples and augers.