Our local Deere dealer hosted an open house for the 764HSD. I had stopped up there last week for some parts and noticed it hidden in the last bay of the shop. i asked about it and the parts guy said to stop by on the 8th and take it for a spin.(couldnt pass that up ) I was very impressed with it even being on it for 15 or 20 mins. The ride it gives is very very smooth. It pushes better than i thought it would. It has a 700J lgp blade and C-Frame, 824J cooling package and a 644J center joint. So most of the parts are already on the dealer shelves.The only complaints i think i would have with it is being right on top of the blade, you will be looking down all day. I think my neck could get used to that though. And also its not as manuverable as a standard track type tractor.Being as they only have 12 built, i feel pretty lucky to have had the chance to operate it. Heres a few pics i snapped with the cell phone.
this is intended as a finish machine right?
clearing would be..destructive.
Thats too cool! It would be interesting to try and finish grade at 30 MPH...we'll see what happens, I just can't wrap my head around the concept tho.
lucky lucky man
I thought that graders where already proven at that job
it looks like a much to big machine and a very very little blade the proportion dont match i think but the idea is okay
will they do a ripper set for it? ripping at speed may give your nose a close look at the window if you find a hard spot?!
pretty sweet looking machine. lucky you to run around in it. how much do those things cost, anyway?
Yes it is intended to be a finish machine,but i dont see it taking a road grader's job. Jesco inc. is sending it on a demo to the contractor doing the dune rehab work on Long beach island. Then it is going on a demo to our local cranberry farmer. I really dont see a grader doing too well on dunes or on cranberry bogs.When we build bogs i would love to have a 764. The Deere Rep. also claimed that the undercarage will last 5500 to 6000 hrs in sugar sand:notworthy. The machine has a drawbar and rear aux, to pull a pan, roller, bee gee, disk or anything you want i guess but i dont see it ripping too well. Imagine spinning those rubber tracks on rock all day$$$$.I believe i overheard a salesman say that it will be between 230 and 250K. Just a LITTLE bit more than the comparable Dozer.
Price will be over 300K, and there will not be a ripper option.
That is one ugly thing