Leyland Deere launches new 435E backhoe loader

Targeting higher volumes in the backhoe loader segment, Ashok Leyland John Deere Construction Equipment Company, the 50:50 JV between Ashok Leyland and John Deere, has unveiled the 435E Backhoe loader, priced at Rs 24.6 lakh.  

Unlike the 435W introduced two years ago with automatic transmission, the 435E has manual transmission. Targeted at the first-time users, which typically comprise about 65-70 percent of total buyers, the 435E offers 10 percent savings in fuel costs, longer change intervals of oils and filters, lower repair cost through greater reliability and durability and long-life teeth, pins and bushes.

The 435E, which will be manufactured at Leyland Deere’s plant near Chennai, is built on the rugged 435 backhoe loader platform, powered by Ashok Leyland’s H-series BS III engine with inline fuel injection pump.

Talking to Autocar Professional, P Ravishankar, CEO, Ashok Leyland John Deere Construction Equipment Co, said: “Operating cost has been increasing due to rising diesel prices, affecting operator margins. With this machine, users can reduce their operating costs by 17-20 percent.”

Backhoe loader, which are employed for a varied range of applications, accounts for 45-50 percent of the total Indian construction equipment market with 30,000 units per annum. Leyland Deere says it has sold about 1,400 units of the 435 in the past two years. With the new 435E, it is looking to increase its product footprint in the Indian construction segment.

Meanwhile, the company plans to expand its dealer network in the northern and eastern parts of the country. At present, it has around 150 touch-points with a ratio of one engineer to eight machines, backed by rapid response mobile service and dedicated call centre.