John Deere is calling its new P-Tier machines the most technologically advanced excavators the company has ever brought to market. Starting with the 210, 230, and 260 P-Tier, all of which sit within the 20-metric-ton class, John Deere has incorporated new technology features and designed an operator experience that it says will make operators’ lives easier and improve skilled operator retention for contractors.

Ahead of CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026, John Deere previewed these machines at its proving grounds near Phoenix, Arizona.

Throughout product development, customers representing mass earthworks, residential construction, underground utility, agricultural, recreational habitat restoration, pipeline construction applications, and more put the P-Tier excavators through their paces. These customers worked with John Deere to optimize the undercarriage, hydraulics, cab, and more, ensuring that these machines are ready for a hard day’s work and can withstand the most rugged conditions. The test customers noted that the power and speed is a big upgrade fromprevious models, as is the roomy new cab — now with over 27 inches of leg room.

Lifting capability, especially in sub-optimal conditions, such as at reach over the side of the machine, has beenrefined to ensure that craning heavy loads, such as jersey barriers, can be done safely and with confidence. EZControl technology reduces inputs needed to control the boom, arm, and bucket making lifting operations safer and smoother, particularly when craning materials below ground where the operator may lose line of sight.

Travel over long distances also just got easier with these new machines. Joystick tracking allows the operator to move the machine in a straight line, in forward and reverse, without using the levers and pedals.The new in-cab monitor is a substantial 12.8 inches and makes navigating machine functions and settings easy. The operator can quickly adjust camera views, whether in full or split-screen. The number of advanced technology features available on the P-Tier machines is impressive, and the monitor serves as the central hub for harnessing their power.

• Attachment manager technology provides easy set-up, calibration, and customizable settings for up to 20 attachments.
• SmartWeigh is a dynamic weighing tool that tracks the machine’s production and ensures that truck loads are optimized.
• A new auto laser catch feature, part of the new John Deere 2D grade control system, assists the operator in making it easier to catch the laser for vertical grade reference on the job site. The 2D grade control can also be easily upgraded to full 3D SmartGrade.
• Virtual fences help protect the machine and its surroundings with set defined job site limits using a combination of cameras and sensors. Avoidance alarms alert the operator when they get too close to obstacles.