2024 John Deere 8700A

GRIP All-Wheel Drive Traction System provides superior traction by reducing wheel slip

For superior traction with a true hydraulic four-wheel drive (4WD), the GRIP All-Wheel Drive Traction System is optional equipment for the PrecisionCut™ and E-Cut™ Hybrid fairway mowers. This system reduces wheel slip by sending flow from the front wheel to the opposite rear wheel.
For example, if the front right wheel starts to slip, hydraulic flow is diverted to the left rear wheel to maintain positive traction. By allowing the flow to cross over to the opposite rear wheel, the system maintains traction not only while climbing straight up hills, but also on side hills, as well. 
The GRIP All-Wheel Drive Traction System is always engaged when driving forward with the PrecisionCut and E-Cut Hybrid fairway mowers. There are no electronics to engage the 4WD system, simplifying the electrical system and the design of the valve at the rear of the machine.
In reverse, a standard switch is provided that disengages 4WD. The switch senses that the reverse pedal has been depressed and shuts off flow to the rear drive wheels. This ensures that the front drive tires are doing the work in reverse rather than the rear tires, minimizing wheel slip and scuffing of turf when backing up an incline.

Tires sized for proper weight distribution and a low ground pressure

When considering a fairway mower's effects on turf compaction, there is more to it than just weight alone. Weight is only a small factor in determining turf compaction.
A key component is the selection of tires used on the machine involves both sizing and tread patterns. The John Deere PrecisionCut™ and E-Cut™ Hybrid Fairway Mowers use large, 26x14-12 front tires for proper front weight distribution, and 20x10-8 tires in the rear to distribute the rear weight.
Both tires use a turf tread to maximize turf friendliness.
They excel in weight distribution providing low ground pressure onto the turf. This provides less tracking, less marking, and less compaction.

MTSpiral and MTGrooved roller options for most any turf condition

The MTSpiral roller and the MTGrooved roller (not shown) options are available for Quick-Adjust 5 (QA5) cutting units to minimize roller overlap marks.

The MTSpiral roller and the MTGrooved roller options take the patented 50.8-mm (2-in.) machine spiral roller to a whole new level. These designs reduce the number of times the grass is rolled in the overlap area of the cutting units. With these unique designs, the material in the overlap of the roller is machined down to a smaller diameter, allowing the ends of the rear cutting unit rollers to roll through the open space of the front cutting unit rollers.

Larger, 63.5-mm (2.5-in.) front grooved disc roller compatible with fairway tender conditioner (FTC) and Greens Tender™ conditioner attachment for 55.9-cm (22-in.) Quick-Adjust 5 (QA5) reel cutting units

The grooved disc roller can be used with 55.9-cm (22-in.) QA5 cutting units, in combination with the Greens Tender Conditioner and FTC, to provide additional roller options for fairway, tees, and approach areas.

The increased diameter improves the durability over smaller rollers, and it features hardened discs for improved wear which retains spring tension for reduced maintenance, making it an ideal roller for fairway, tee, and approach mowing.

Three-wheel stance and smooth tires for excellent maneuverability and after-cut appearance

The 6080A, 6500A, and 6700A PrecisionCut™ and 6080A, 6500A, and 8000A E-Cut™ Hybrid Fairway Mowers help to make fairways that look like greens a reality.
An innovative, smooth tire design minimizes compaction and tire marking, especially in turns, giving a look similar to that from a riding greens mower. The GRIP all-wheel drive traction system works in combination with the smooth tire design to give a greens-quality appearance without sacrificing traction.
These machines also excel at weight distribution, ensuring each tire sees an equal amount of weight over a large tire surface area for a ground pressure that is friendly to the surface of the turf.
This three-wheel stance is common with riding greens mowers in the market today. This provides an after-cut appearance that is so good it looks like the fairways were mowed by a greens mower. The three-wheel stance also excels in maneuverability, allowing for tight turning at the end of passes for increased productivity.

TechControl display maximizes performance and uptime by allowing more control in operation and diagnostics

MORE CONTROL WITH THE TECHCONTROL DISPLAY WITH A LARGE EASY-TO-READ SCREEN

Passcode-protected TechControl display enables quickly setting or changing mowing speed, turning speed, or transport speed to limit variations in performance by different operators.

LoadMatch™ electronic setting compensates speed of machine to keep power to the cutting units to maintain cut quality

LoadMatch is an electronic setting through the TechControl display that allows managers more control of the machine and how it is operated when out on the course.

Most operators will mow as fast as the mow setting will allow, keeping their traction pedal all the way down. However, in some conditions this can lead to poor cut quality.

One example is getting behind in mowing due to weather conditions. The grass is long and lush and to properly cut that amount of grass at one time, the operator should slow the traction speed. This allows the cutting units to maintain proper turning speed, process the grass, and properly cut in one pass. Not slowing down causes missed grass and an uneven appearance. This affects the after-cut appearance and also reduces productivity by having to mow a second time to properly cut the lush grass.

The LoadMatch feature compensates the traction speed of machine to keep power to the cutting units. In the long, lush conditions described above with LoadMatch engaged, the operator would still have the traction pedal all the way down, but the machine would sense the load and slow the traction speed to properly cut the mowing pass. Once the load is reduced, the machine will return to the normal mow speed.

eHydro™ hydrostatic pump for premium ease of use

The traction system in the A-models is driven by a servo-controlled hydrostatic pump. The control of the pump is no longer mechanical linkages, but instead it is electronic.

In total, approximately 94 parts have been eliminated from the traction drive system along with four adjustments compared to prior models. The design reduced the complexity of the drive system, which means no more linkages to adjust or repair, decreased routine maintenance, and more reliable day-in/day-out operation.

Double-acting, single-rod hydraulic steering cylinder for lines as straight as a greens mower

For superintendents who want stripes as straight as they are on the greens, the A-model PrecisionCut™ Mowers and E-Cut™ Hybrid Mowers do exactly that. Utilizing the same style steering cylinder as on the 2550 PrecisionCut and 2550 E-Cut Hybrid Riding Greens Mowers, the PrecisionCut and E-Cut Hybrid Mowers can mow the straightest lines of any mower in the industry today.

Traditional hydraulic cylinders have a rod on only one side of the cylinder. The cylinder on the A-models has one rod that goes through both sides of the cylinder. This equalizes volume and pressure on both sides of the cylinder packing, helping the operator make   perfectly straight lines with little effort.

This system also equalizes the steering effort, meaning easy turns whether turning to the right or to the left.

Easily accessible daily service points mean less maintenance time and more time working

Easier daily maintenance points are designed into the machine to assist operators with complete daily maintenance and to keep the machine running at peak performance, saving valuable time and money.

For ease of service, all daily engine checks are easily accessible by raising the hood. These service points include an engine-oil level check, a coolant level check, hydraulic fluid level, and an air-restriction indicator.

The A-model PrecisionCut™ Mowers, E-Cut™ Hybrid Mowers, and TerrainCut™ Mowers feature a radiator screen that is easily removed without tools and a tilt-out oil cooler for easy cleaning.

Cutting units are stable for easy transporting

The 6080A PrecisionCut™ and 6080A and 8000A E-Cut™ Hybrid Fairway Mowers have cutting units that contact up stops for transport. These up stops are rubber and limit cutting units from swinging during transport to protect the cutting units when transporting down cart paths or bumpy terrain.