Construction Equipment Guide
470 Maryland Drive
Fort Washington, PA 19034
800-523-2200
Wed April 01, 2009 - National Edition
John Deere has added the small frame CT315 to its compact track loader line, a 45-hp (33 kw) unit that already meets interim Tier IV emissions standards.
The CT315 becomes Deere’s first radial lift compact track loader, as well as its smallest, with a 12.6 in. (32 cm) wide track and a narrow overall machine width of just over 60 in. (152.4 cm).
“We’ve designed the new CT315 to be super compact,” said Gregg Zupancic, product marketing manager for skid steers and compact track loaders, John Deere Construction & Forestry.
“It’s made for work in tight places, and the true radial lift system uses a linkage that keeps the lift arms close to the machine when the bucket is near the ground, making it great for digging, prying and overall compactness,” Zupancic said.
While the CT315 is compact, it is a production machine, with a powerful 1,500-lbs. (680 kg) rated operating capacity. Its cushioned bucket and lift cylinders provide smooth deceleration at the end of the boom-lower position and also cushion the bucket when curling and dumping a load.
“The cushioning helps operators keep more material in the bucket and reduces noise,” Zupancic said. “It also makes cycles easier, adding up to less fatigue at the end of a shift.”
Visibility also is a key to productivity — the CT315 offers a 360-degree view that’s uninterrupted to the sides, both above and below the lift arms. This means the operator also can see the tracks and the ground around the machine with the boom in the resting position. The low-sloped rear hood allows added rear visibility, rare for a radial lift-style machine, as there are no tall rear towers to block key sight lines necessary while operating in reverse.
John Deere’s 60/40 weight distribution from the back to the front of the machine gives operators a great balance of stability, power and maneuverability under load, according to the manufacturer.
Under the hood, the torque and torque rise performance of the Deere PowerTech 4024T 4-cylinder 2.4-L engine provides enhanced engine lugging capability while working heavy loads.
Track loader-specific boom and bucket breakout forces make the CT315 a superior digging machine, while less than 5 psi make it ideal for work on turf. The planetary drive system gives the unit added pushing power in grading applications.
The CT315 also takes a wide variety of John Deere Worksite Pro attachments, further enhancing job site productivity.
Like all Deere 300 Series compact track loaders, the CT315 features an undercarriage manufactured for long life as well as a smooth ride.
Belt durability comes from using the thickest rubber, reinforced steel cords, imbedded steel drive lugs, and large, bending radii. The all-steel carriage has roller and idler metal face seals and heavy-duty journal bearings. A rear single-flanged idler means fewer wear points on the inside portion of the rubber tracks, with no loss of ride smoothness.
The unit’s wide-open track frame configuration enables easy cleaning, and a simple track sag check system and tension design greatly lowers the risk of de-tracking.
The CT315 cab is designed with the operator in mind for optimum comfort, visibility and functionality.
Twin bucket cylinders mounted on each side of the lift arms provide wide opening to make it easy to enter and exit the operator station. Standard features include high-back ergonomic and adjustable seating and armrests that adjust for comfort during operation. An optional in-cab power Quick-Tatch makes effortless attachment connections from the operator’s seat with a simple push of a button.
Easy maintainability ensures daily and scheduled service is more likely to be done, keeping costs low.
The CT315 has a low fuel tank fill for easy access with heavy fuel cans. The oil cooler swings out with the rear door for full, easy inspection, or cleaning, if needed. The engine oil dipstick and oil fill point is ideally positioned for fast, easy checks.
Access to major components is easy with a quick-pivoting ROPS. Operators can remove two nuts and raise the ROPS in two minutes or less for access to the hydraulic and hydrostatic pumps, steering linkage or electrical components.
To help keep operators earning money and spending less time on maintenance, the CT315 compact track loader has recommended 500-hour oil change intervals and an attachment Quick-Tatch design that never needs greasing.
For more information, visit www.johndeere.com.