MOLINE, Illinois (February 9, 2010) — After revolutionizing the motor grader itself by offering operators an unprecedented choice of controls with its G-Series, John Deere Construction & Forestry is once again responding to customer needs with a state-of-the-art Motor Grader Operator Training Simulator.

"We're responding to an industry shortage of skilled operators with an excellent tool for attracting and training new operators to run one of the most complex machines on a jobsite," said Michael Hoeg, senior instructional designer and developer, John Deere Training Center.

"Overall, Deere's operator training simulators are a cost-effective, safe and efficient way to train new operators in a risk-free environment."

The new motor grader simulator provides highly detailed and realistic lessons teaching proper technique, machine controls and safe operation, all in a virtual jobsite – without fuel or operating costs, risks to equipment or personnel, downtime, or emissions.

Real-World Situations and Controls

Motor grader simulator lessons feature real-world situations, complete with jobsite hazards, potential safety violations, hand signals, budget-based scoring and replica machine controls.

The simulator's controls include a steering wheel, foot pedals and the electronic armrest-mounted fingertip controls from the new G-Series grader. The fingertip controls are arranged in the industry-standard pattern, so knowledge gained will transfer to mechanical-style controls.

"The new grader simulator also has Deere's exclusive simulator 'head tracking' technology, which means wherever the simulator operator looks, the camera in the simulator looks," Hoeg said. "This is very exciting and useful on a grader, where you are constantly looking at either side of the blade."

Nine Detailed Lessons

Because motor graders are one of the most challenging machines to master, Deere has designed nine key lessons for the simulator:

• Controls familiarization
• Moldboard setup
• Maneuvering
• Leveling a parking lot
• Digging a V-ditch
• Road building
• Blue topping
• Cul-de-sacs
• Loading onto a lowboy

After completing each lesson, operators get immediate feedback based on their performance, and are scored against a budget (operator costs, owning and operating costs) and other skilled operators. This helps identify their strengths, weaknesses and impact on a "bottom line." Learners can see their contribution to production statistics in real time, as well as realize their contribution to a virtual budget, or their deduction from jobsite funds, based on performance. The real-time feedback also allows operators to correct mistakes and gain awareness of potential hazards before they are encountered.

"The simulator also has benefits beyond standard operator training," Hoeg added. "It can be used to attract crowds at job fairs and events, for rainy day competitions, jobsite planning, safety training and potential employee screening – and do it all without fuel burn or emissions."

The new Motor Grader Operating Training Simulator joins Deere’s Excavator Operating Training Simulator and 4WD Loader Operator Training Simulator in the training lineup. Simulators are available for purchase through local John Deere dealers or information provided online at www.JohnDeere.com/simulators. 

They are also part of wider curriculums designed by the John Deere Training Center in Davenport, Iowa. The Training Center integrates Web-based learning, PC-based virtual simulation technology and proven instructional design strategies to create total operator training solutions.

John Deere (Deere & Company — NYSE: DE) is a world leader in providing advanced products and services for agriculture, forestry, construction, lawn and turf care, landscaping and irrigation.
John Deere also provides financial services worldwide and manufactures and markets engines used in heavy equipment. Since it was founded in 1837, the company has extended its heritage of integrity, quality, commitment and innovation around the globe. John Deere Construction & Forestry produces more than 120 machine models and distributes its construction, forestry and worksite products through a network of more than 1,300 dealer locations worldwide.