Field Notes & Engineering Briefings

Earthmoving · Crushing feed · Demolition · Road construction · Aftermarket parts · Hydraulic oil practices

Why I Paid $19,000 More for a John Deere 160 Excavator (And It Was the Best Deal I Ever Made) Earthmoving

Why I Paid $19,000 More for a John Deere 160 Excavator (And It Was the Best Deal I Ever Made)

A procurement manager's story of choosing the John Deere 160 excavator, a 544L wheel loader, and a 310L backhoe loader over a lower bid. A single parts department phone call exposed the hidden cost of cheap equipment — and a breakdown proved the value of John Deere parts and dealer certainty. Includes loader specifications and a backhoe loader specification guide.

2026-08-28 · Charlotte Avery