PCCA Journal|1
st
Quarter 2011
43
Member News
John Deere Adds
Two-Speed Option to Skid Steers
R
esponding to customers’ needs for faster travel
speed across jobsites, John Deere is introducing
a two-speed option to its mid-frame 318D and
320D skid steer loader models.
The new option, which will be available by year’s end,
increases ground speed by as much as 62 percent on both
manual and E/H controls machines, from 6.8 mph to 11 mph.
It’s engineered to provide a second gear for a variety of work,
including landscaping, highway and bridge, and municipal.
“Faster travel means more productivity,” said Gregg Zu-
pancic, product marketing manager, skid steers and compact
track loaders for John Deere Construction & Forestry. “With
more speed, customers will see faster cycle times working
with trucks on the jobsite or carrying materials. They’ll also
spend less time traveling between jobs and find it easier to
roll snow off the blade while plowing.”
Shift-on-the-go capability allows operators to kick into
higher travel speeds with a simple flip of a toggle switch on
the left-hand joystick. Electronically controlled shifting al-
lows for seamless transition during upshifts and downshifts.
“Smooth shifting helps eliminate bucket spillage and ensures
that more loads are spread or dumped when and where you
want them,” Zupancic said.
The 318D and 320D are part of Deere’s customer-inspired
D-Series skid steer line, featuring 24 percent larger cabs and
six more inches of headroom than their predecessors. They
are also quieter because of a hydraulic fan drive and engine
auto-idle and positively pressurized for better air temperature
control. A larger door opening makes access easier.
Eldred Joins GMP as
Manufacturer’s Representative
G
eneral Machine Products Company, Inc. (GMP)
recently introduced Eldred Communications, LLC
as its manufacturer’s representative for the New
York and New England regions.
Headquartered in New Canaan, Conn., Eldred Communi-
cations will focus on selling GMP products for the telecom,
power utility, CATV, and municipal markets, plus the contrac-
tors who serve these markets.
Eldred Communications will work with GMP’s existing
distributor base to actively demonstrate the latest specialty
tools from GMP, including fiber optic cable blowing equip-
ment, F.O. cable pulling equipment, the Powered Duct Rod
Pusher, the Sidewinder Pull & Assist Winch, and the Ramrod
Trailer-Mounted Duct Rod Pusher.
GMP welcomes the Eldred Communications Team to its
existing sales force to enhance the visibility for both GMP
distributors and GMP users throughout New York and New
England.
Vermeer Announces Staff Realignment
V
ermeer Corporation in October announced staff
realignments to best support the company’s
global growth initiatives.
“We are excited about the realignment and
how it will help Vermeer better serve our customers,” said
Mary Andringa, president and chief executive officer for
Vermeer Corporation. “Every segment within Vermeer is
thinking globally and focusing on the four geographic regions
where Vermeer has already invested in growth potential.
Vermeer has named three senior directors to the office of
vice president based on their experience and leadership, and
all three will continue to support global industrial product
efforts:
•
Mike Byram, vice president of environmental solutions,
•
Steve Heap, vice president of Vermeer Latin America (VLA)
and Vermeer Europe, Middle East and Africa (VEMEA),
and
•
Dave Wisniewski, vice president of underground solutions.
In addition, Jason Andringa will assume the role of vice
president of distribution and global accounts. He has been
successfully serving as managing director of VEMEA in the
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