A lineup of John Deere machines outside the OEM鈥檚 Sacaton, Arizona, US, training facility on 12 March. The company held its annual Construction Field Days event and showcased new machines, innovations and technology for customers and media. (Image: Mitchell Keller)

The scene is the 2025 version of John Deere鈥檚 annual Construction Field Days, which ran 11-13 March, including an ever-popular Ride & Drive event for media on the 12^th. The opportunity offered customers and press a hands-on look at the company鈥檚 newest construction equipment 鈥� everything from advanced dozers to high-tech articulated dump trucks.

As the engines fired up in Sacaton, three critical talking points came up early and often from John Deere product experts: electrification and alternative power; automation and precision technology; and safety and jobsite intelligence.

Construction Briefing was on hand to hear more about why these are three key drivers for the development of John Deere鈥檚 construction machinery:

1) Deere featuring motor electrification & alternative power

John Deere product expert Cory Brant discusses the 850 X-Tier Dozer with E-Drive, located just behind him on-site at Deere鈥檚 testing facility in Arizona, US. (Image: Mitchell Keller)

John Deere鈥檚 push toward electrification was on display at Field Days, but it maybe wasn鈥檛 obvious at first glance.

The one machine serving as an example of Deere鈥檚 electrification goal the was the 850 X-Tier Dozer; a diesel-powered machine.

While it may look similar to its predecessor, the 850L, its drivetrain is fundamentally unique.

鈥淯nder the skin, it鈥檚 very, very different,鈥� emphasises Cory Brant, crawler product consultant at John Deere.

Gone is the hydrostatic system, and in its place is a dual-path electric drive (E-Drive) system.

鈥淲e鈥檝e basically removed the hydrostat pumps and replaced them with a generator,鈥� Brant tells Construction Briefing. 鈥淭hat generator creates voltage to drive a motor at each final drive. We still have that same dual-path controllability, so we always have total control over each track.鈥�

John Deere鈥檚 850 X-Tier dozer rethinks drivetrain with electric drive tech John Deere has introduced a new dozer and announced updates to its P series lineup

While the 850X still runs on diesel, its E-Drive components help reduce fuel and fluid needs, while providing instant torque and a smoother operation, Brant says.

Unlike traditional hydrostatic systems, which need to build pressure before generating torque, the electric drive system has torque instantly available.

鈥淭hat means we can pick up loads quicker and carry full blade loads faster than we could with a hydrostat,鈥� Brant says.

The result? Increased productivity and double-digit gains in material movement, John Deere says.

John Deere product expert Kasey Kelly shows the front accessibility of the John Deere 460 P-Tier ADT at the company鈥檚 Sacaton, Arizona, US, site. (Image: Mitchell Keller)

Meanwhile, the JD14 engine made its debut in John Deere鈥檚 large trucks, including the 410 P-Tier and 460 P-Tier articulated dump trucks (ADT). It replaces the JD13.5 engine and brings higher power output, improved torque, and better fuel efficiency. Compared to its predecessor, the JD14 delivers up to 14% more power and 11% more peak torque, allowing for heavier loads and smoother operation.

The JD14 is IMO Tier 2/US EPA Tier 3/EU RCDII certified, and it can run on either standard diesel or renewable and biodiesel blends up to B20.

On the ADTs, product specialist Kasey Kelly tells Construction Briefing there was one key component that stayed the same in replacing the JD13.5 with the JD14.

John Deere ADTs get upgraded engine, vision system Next-gen models powered by the new JD14 engine

鈥淭hings that we have not changed about our truck are the things that we鈥檝e always loved, which is our ground-level serviceability. If you think of newer operators or owners trying to ensure their truck is taken care of, we鈥檝e made it easier by keeping daily service points accessible.鈥�

2) John Deere notes gains in automation & precision technology

The new John Deere 3812 Scraper (Image: John Deere)

One highlight of Deere鈥檚 advancing autonomy features is the OEM鈥檚 SmartGrade system, which integrates both 3D GPS and 2D slope control into a 12.8-inch touchscreen monitor on the 850X.

While some contractors may be 鈥榬etiring鈥� 2D tech for emerging 3D programmes, John Deere believes there鈥檚 still quality purpose to maintaining both on a single machine.

鈥淚f I lose my GPS signal 鈥� say I鈥檓 under a bridge 鈥� I can switch from 3D to 2D and press my match-grade button,鈥� Brant explains. 鈥淚t locks in my main fall and cross slopes so I can keep working. When I regain my signal, I switch back. It鈥檚 seamless.鈥�

The system also includes EZGrade, which automatically smooths operator inputs, reducing corrections and making long grading jobs less fatiguing on operators.

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On the earthmoving side, John Deere鈥檚 new scrapers are making material movement more automatic. The 3012 and 3812 Direct Hitch (DH) scrapers are engineered for self-loading, minimising operator effort.

鈥淭hese scrapers are designed to maximize material movement while integrating seamlessly with John Deere tractors,鈥� says Matt Costello, product marketing manager.

3) Safety & jobsite intelligence key to updated Deere machines

A side camera on a John Deere ADT. The camera鈥檚 perview turns with the articulating trailer during turns, providing operators with clearer vantage points behind the cab. (Image: Mitchell Keller)

While the ADTs鈥� expanded view helps precision driving, it鈥檚 also a significant improvement in site safety, which John Deere touted in Sacaton, as well. The cameras also pan automatically as the truck articulates, making field-of-view greater on tight manoeuvres.

The cameras and Advanced Vision System are coupled with SmartDetect Digital. The system, available on mid- and large-size loaders, provides real-time obstacle detection, heat map analytics and push notifications, giving operators and supervisors alike more tools both in outside the cab. 

鈥淪martDetect gives visual and audible alerts inside the cab,鈥� says Katie Voelliger, a John Deere product marketing manager. 鈥淚f there鈥檚 an object or human behind the machine, the operator hears a distinct sound 鈥� something people describe as a turkey gobble. It is very distinct.鈥�

The 鈥済obble鈥� also gets more progressive if the machine maintains a dangerous path with an object; it will get faster and more percussive. In addition to the noise, the video screen in the cab will flash a red signal over the detected object, which helps pull attention of the operator in potential collision situations.

An inside look at the Advanced Vision System of John Deere鈥檚 310 P-Tier ADT. The front screen displays both front and back camera views, while side screen (out of picture) display views from side-mounted cameras. (Image: Mitchell Keller)

More than just alerts, SmartDetect Digital then allows jobsite managers to access video footage and reports via the John Deere Operations Center.

鈥淚f there鈥檚 a near-miss, it automatically grabs a short video clip and uploads it to the cloud,鈥� Voelliger adds, noting the programme can auto-clip a less-than 10-second video showing the lead up, the near-miss and the follow-up.

Managers can get a push notification within 30 minutes of the incident and can review to improve safety procedures.

Meanwhile, the 850X dozer and 310 P-Tier ADT both feature Advanced Vision Systems (AVS) to further reduce blind spots, ideal for some of the larger machines on display at Field Days.

鈥淎nd operators can customize their views 鈥� left, right, front, or a top-down stitched image,鈥� Brant explains of AVS, generally. 鈥淚f I鈥檓 working along a curb, I can set my camera to focus on my left track, making sure I don鈥檛 damage anything.鈥�

Likewise, the Advanced Vision System on the 310 P-Tier ADT combines rear, front, and side cameras into three high-mounted monitors.

鈥淲e wanted operators to keep their heads up and looking at the jobsite,鈥� explains Kelly. 鈥淏y placing the monitors in line with the mirrors, we reinforce natural sightlines while providing a clear, dynamic view.鈥�

A glimpse into construction鈥檚 future

John Deere鈥檚 310, left, and 460 P-Tier articulated dump trucks (ADT) at the Arizona, US, testing facility for Construction Field Days. (Image: Mitchell Keller)

John Deere鈥檚 Field Days offers more than just a test drive 鈥� it鈥檚 a look into the future of construction equipment.

While overall electrification has been the hot topic among OEMs, John Deere is displaying that advancements in that field can be beneficial for internal combustion engines, as well. As was seen with Deere鈥檚 move to electric hydraulics and motors, there鈥檚 means to improve efficiency, automation, and safety without going fully 鈥渁ll-electric鈥�.

As the sun set over Sacaton, it鈥檚 clear as the Arizona air: the machines on display encompass developing innovation on conventional machines, while illustrating the paths forward to a future that鈥檚 safer, more sustainable and automated.