The John Deere 310SL HL (heavy lift) backhoe loader is engineered for multi­function performance, whether the task at hand is loading trucks, busting up blacktop, placing pipe, digging trenches, or moving materials.

The 310SL HL provides up to 25% more backhoe lift capacity than the comparable K-Series model under normal conditions, the company said. The new Lift Mode provides an additional boost of 10-15% at the push of a button. Pressure-compensated load sensing (PCLS) hydraulics result in greater operator efficiency, thanks to better multi-function control.

The 110-net hp Final Tier 4-certified PowerTech Plus diesel engine lets operators work wherever they’re needed, even in non-attainment areas. The engine features a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), diesel particulate filter (DPF), and a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system.

WorkSight Suite Provides Onboard Diagnostics

The John Deere WorkSight suite of technology solutions includes JDLink, which enables dealers to perform remote diagnostics along with reprogramming before leaving the dealership location. All John Deere backhoes come standard with JDLink installed from the factory with three years of service.

The 310SL HL is equipped with JDLink Ultimate, which can also provide “a number of indicators about an operator’s productivity and the health of the emissions system on the machine,” explained Liz Quinn, WorkSight product marketing manager for John Deere Construction & Forestry.

The real-time machine monitoring and remote diagnostics help increase uptime and lower operating costs.

Listening to Customer Feedback

In response to customer feedback, John Deere added Backhoe Operating Mode “so managers of large fleets can understand if operators are digging a trench, or if they’re riding around using the front loader,” Quinn noted. “We’re also providing a fuel-consumed report, so fleet managers can compare different machine gallons of fuel burned per hour.”

John Deere often relies on feedback from customer advocate groups to ensure products meet the future needs of a broad range of users.

“The 310SL HL did leverage this type of customer-­driven direction during its program development,” said Brian Hennings, backhoe loaders and tractor loaders product marketing manager for John Deere Construction & Forestry. “One feature [we added] is the Momentary MFWD [mechanical front wheel drive] button on the loader control lever.”

All L-Series Backhoes offer plenty of creature comforts, including an HVAC system, adjustable mechanical or air-­suspension seat, and optional premium radio with Bluetooth auxiliary input.