The John Deere 313 takes on the competition again in a two-part test of sheer muscle power and hill climbing ability in the latest battle on Deere's Skid Steer Smackdown web site.

"Double Trouble," the fifth battle in the series at www.skidsteersmackdown.com, pits the small-frame Deere 313 against a competitor's machine. Click on "The Battles" link on the site to see the outcome.

And while the newcomer to Deere's fleet of skid steers is small, with an operating capacity of 1,300 lbs., it's big on strength and stability. The 313 and a similarly sized competitor machine each push three massive, one-ton concrete blocks and face a series of three-foot moguls, as well as Mount Skidmore ? a tough-to-climb five-foot berm.

"Power and stability are the keys to getting to the finish line," said Sam Norwood, manager, John Deere Commercial Worksite Products. "I was proud to see our 313 skid steer go toe-to-toe in strength, but the overall balance of our machine over uneven ground was the key to victory here."

The John Deere 313 and its closest relative, the 315 skid steer, made their debut last fall. The additions to the skid steer family give Deere customers two small-frame options for their fleets.

"The machines' performance during these Skid Steer Smackdown events should show customers that they're taking a big-time step up in performance and reliability when they turn to Deere," Norwood said.

Skidsteersmackdown.com, the John Deere Construction & Forestry web site, is part of the company's integrated promotional campaign for equipment users that involves unique head-to-head contests between Deere and competitor machines.

Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) is the world's leading manufacturer of agricultural and forestry equipment, a major manufacturer of construction equipment, and a leading supplier of equipment used in lawn, grounds and turf care. John Deere also manufactures and markets engines used in heavy equipment and provides landscape and worldwide financial services. 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.

Mon Aug 04 11:59:00 CDT 2008