John Deere Introduces Zero-Tail-Swing Excavator Model

Equipment manufacturer John Deere, Moline, Ill., has introduced a line of zero-tail swing compact excavators.

The D-Series ZTS Compact Excavators have faster operating speeds and increased drawbar pull than previous models, according to a press release from the company. In addition, the zero-tail swing design combined with an independent swing boom and 360-degree rotation makes the D-Series more maneuverable and productive in tight spaces than its larger counterparts.

The line has proved versatile and useful in a number of applications, from installing interlocking vinyl sheet piling panels in a seawall to basic landscaping and excavating, according to the press release. Customers have reported increased production even with the line’s more compact size.

“They move so much dirt, it’s just amazing,” says Kim Hathaway, owner of Hathaway, an excavating company based in Fredericktown, Ohio, which performs mostly light residential work, including work in basements. “By the time you’re done lifting the outriggers on a backhoe, a mini-excavator has already dug the next section.”