The NZ Logger Iron Test team joined operator, Napi Martin and the Lealand Logging 040 crew at a gently sloping compartment about five minutes’ drive south of the Murupara log rail yard in the Timberlands-managed Kaingaroa Forest, to check out the new John Deere 624P wheel loader.

Here 100 tonne per pay load doubles cart out about ten times a day on average, although according to Foreman, Jim Blackburn, “There isn’t really a consistent pattern… sometimes nothing for a day or two then they all come pouring in, but it’s never an issue, there is plenty of room.” 

Has Jim been on the new John Deere wheel loader? “Just this morning to bring it down to the container for water blasting for you guys. Heaps quieter than the old one (a John Deere K series) and way quicker and stronger hydraulics as well. I was really surprised how fast it was. And the day it arrived we had it loading a truck with the K series and while we could hear the K working on the other side of the truck, the P series closer to us was almost silent.”

Iron Tester, Shaun Field, agrees with the quiet, smooth and quick verdict. “It’s almost like it’s electric, I found it quite unreal to drive. I wasn’t really considering a jump to a different machine but when I am done on harvesters this will definitely be an option for me,” Shaun says. 

For more on the 624P get your copy of the July 2022 issue of NZ Logger, on sale 28 June. Check the link on this page to subscribe to either a printed or digital copy (or both).