Deere : Taming Wildfires | John Deere US

HIGH-TECH TEACHERS

The drive systems in John Deere dozers enable an operator to 'customize' the way the machine performs and responds, and the controls have become even more refined and operator-friendly since the H-Series' introduction in 1999. 'Machines have really gotten sophisticated, and operators need to know how to use those features,' observes Seagroves. 'The K-Series has taught us more than we ever knew about the operation of the earlier models. When it came to selecting the braking, steering, and transmission settings, we always thought 'aggressive' was best. But not when you're pulling a plow in these conditions. The newer dozers helped us see how we could fine-tune the operation and find the 'sweet spot'. And it changed our theory of operation to understand how the dozer works.'

JDLink ™ was another game changer. The remote machine-monitoring system included on the FFS's 650K Dozers proved to be even more valuable than originally thought. 'We don't know how we ever lived without it,' says Seagroves. 'It's not just for diagnostics and machine maintenance, although it's certainly good for that. It's also a big-time educational tool that's teaching us how to use the equipment.'

For example, in the past, operators of open-ROPS dozers could feel the heat, smell the smoke, and sense the conditions around them. However, inside today's cabs, the effects of the fire on the dozer aren't as noticeable. 'As they get closer to the fire, the tractor becomes saturated with the radiant heat, which over time affects the way it operates,' says Seagroves. 'We used to place stickers on the sides of the machines that would change colors when they got too hot. That wasn't the most reliable way to measure the effects of heat. JDLink lets us monitor machine conditions and performance, and use that information to help teach the operators what the limitations are, so they know what they can and can't do to help keep them safe.'

By June 11, drenching rains have aided the effort, and the West Mims fire is extinguished after scorching 152,515 acres. Like other firefighters, the FFS team has returned home. But there's no rest for the weary. Tractor-plow crews stay busy assisting landowners in keeping their properties clear of combustibles. With Florida's wildfire season fully in front of them, the next call for help is only a thunderstorm or careless moment away. And it won't be long until they're dispatched again - putting their lives on the line to protect people and property as they tame the flames.

The Florida Forest Service's John Deere equipment is serviced by Beard Equipment and Dobbs Equipment, Florida.