2026 John Deere Landscaping & Grounds Care 872 P-Tier

Over the past six decades, John Deere motor graders have built a reputation for outstanding machine control and effortless grading precision. The innovative ideas of our customers have lead to a legacy of industry firsts. Performance boosters enabled with standard electrohydraulic (EH) controls like exclusive automation features. The choice between dual-joystick or fingertip controls. Grade-control solutions including fully integrated SmartGrade. And a tall mainframe that smoothly shoulders large loads and clears obstacles. Its optimized machine specs, reliable capability, and updated cab amenities that put operator comfort front and center can help take your productivity to the next level.

Features May Include:

Differentiating Automation and Technology

AUTOMATION and TECHNOLOGY

EXPERIENCED vs. NOVICE OPERATORS

Novice and Experienced operators benefit from Automation and Technology in slightly different ways. With the Novice Operator these features help them get comfortable quicker and relieve some of the learning curve.  The experienced operators who already understand the job site and what the task is can enhance their already proven skills and customize when needed.

John Deere P-Tier motor graders have standout features that set Deere apart from the competition, specifically with our technology and automation. The P-Tier option provides standard features such as cross slope, return to straight,  Auto-Articulation, Blade Flip, Machine Presets, lever steering, and choice between fingertip or joystick controls. Additionally, the P-Tier option includes position sensing cylinders which enable additional options such as automation and SmartGrade™.

Want the latest technology on an existing machine? The industries’ latest automation and SmartGrade machine control technology can be ordered on new machines and be added to existing motor graders by your John Deere dealer.

CONFIDENCE

• When grading a flat pad with obstacles, SmartGrade allowed the experienced operator to get more finish grade area within ±0.05’, increasing grade accuracy by 42 percent
  • The novice operator increased grade accuracy by 126 percent in the same application
• A 27 percent increase in grade accuracy was achieved by an experienced operator with SmartGrade™ while building a crowned road as compared to running string line
  • The novice operator increased grade accuracy by 49 percent in the same application
• The Standard Cross Slope feature paired with Auto-Gain provided a 36 percent increase in grade accuracy for experienced operators and 100 percent increase for novice compared to manual grading.

EASE

• Utilizing automation suite features allowed the novice operator to turn around at the end of a pass 32 percent faster
• Using only automation suite features (without cross slope or SmartGrade), operator inputs of the novice operator were reduced by 75 percent when grading a flat pad with obstacles
• Auto-Shift plus reduced foot movements by 65 percent compared to running with the inching pedal

EDGE

• Automation features can be ordered individually or as a suite, and can be upgraded at anytime
• All SmartGrade graders include Premium Circle, Automation Suite, and Machine Damage
  • Avoidance
• John Deere Automation features are designed with the customer in mind

Auto-Shift PLUS (industry exclusive): Auto-Shift PLUS reduces foot movements by up to 65 percent by allowing operators to work without the use of an inching pedal. Operators can take off and come to a complete stop, in any gear, using only the throttle and brake pedal. This feature gives operators full control of travel speed in any application for both tandem and 6wd machines. This feature also includes hill hold and adjustable RPM settings

Included on all P-Tier graders

Auto Articulation: Auto articulation combines front steering and rear articulation using only a single control on the joystick or fingertip controls. This feature automatically articulates the machine when steering to allow the rear tandems to follow the tracks of the front tires. Auto Articulation also allows operators to make fine steering adjustments without activating articulation. This provides operators precise grading control with auto articulation enabled.

Machine Pre-sets (industry exclusive): Machine Presets save operators time by activating multiple functions, features, and machine positions by pressing a single button. Operators can automatically raise and rotate the blade, turn on the machines hazard lights and beacon(s), enable auto-shift, return articulation to straight, turn on auto differential lock, and stow the ripper; allowing easy machine configuration for tasks such as transport.

Blade Flip (industry exclusive): Blade Flip automatically mirrors the blade angle to a preset position. This eliminates repetitive operator input when making grading passes. This feature enhances our already proven Cross Slope system, making it easy for operators to automatically mirror blade angle and cross slope settings.

Available in technology packages or 500 hour demo.

Machine Damage Avoidance: Assists operators of all experience levels and prevents costly damage to the machine even while in the most complex machine orientations. This feature allows operators to work with confidence knowing the blade will not damage the machine’s tires and steps or contact the saddle.

Auto Pass (industry exclusive): Auto-Pass reduces operator input of repetitive functions at the beginning and end of grading passes with the press of a single button. Auto Pass automatically lowers the blade to a predetermined elevation and enables machine control/cross slope at the start of a pass. At the end of the pass the feature can be configured to automatically raise and flip the blade angle.

SmartGrade™: SmartGrade is John Deere’s 3D mastless integrated grade control system that allows operators to grade without limitations. SmartGrade motor graders are fully integrated and calibrated at the factory, arriving to your jobsite ready to work! The system is incorporated through all the machine’s structures and software delivering precise grading performance while eliminating masts and cables. SmartGrade is also capable of running other Topcon grading technologies such as laser, sonic, mmGPS, and LPS. Also included with SmartGrade are the following automation features:: Machine Damage Avoidance, , and Auto Pass & future releases.

Controls to Choose from

Fingertip: Integrated into each armrest, EH fingertip controls replace traditional front-console levers while keeping the same control pattern. Steering can be controlled by using the lever on the left armrest or with the steering wheel.

Joystick: The dual-joystick option requires minimal hand motion during direction changes and gearshift while still giving the operator intuitive control over the machine. This helps reduce operator fatigue compared to other common joystick controls. Steering can be controlled by using the left joystick or with the steering wheel.

Antler rack: The more traditional motor grader controls are still available with the G-Tier offering

Customer focused, designed by you

When you ask, we listen. The best way to gather product feedback is to see our machines in action firsthand, P-Tier motor graders were designed specifically with the customer in mind. New updated features and cab layout came from customer requests during our customer advocacy groups and customer visits. Have suggestions? We would love to hear from you - contact your local dealer today!

P-Tier Motor Graders build on a solid foundation of operator comfort, performance, and technology. The P-Tier grader addresses customer pain points of retaining skilled labor and making less experienced operators more productive.

The new cab features an improved seat with heat & ventilation and easy-to-adjust armrests, 8” touch-screen display, climate-controlled HVAC system, improved storage area, simplified 6wd controls, and centralized switches; all within easy reach.

P-Tier motor graders provide a simplified operation with many industry exclusive automation features helping to improve the performance of all operators.

Next Generation Cab

Updated armrests provide easier adjustment to enhance operator comfort. Relocated air ride seat adjust at your fingertips with easy to move slide adjustments.

Automatic temperature control adjustment allows an operator to set it and forget it to maintain the ideal cab temperature.

Simplified 6WD controls reduce the size of the console and removes switches. The rotary knob is used for both 6WD mode and Precision mode depending on the rocker switch position. With the change to Automatic temperature control the area behind the 6WD console has opened up for visibility from the cab as well as extra storage.

All new 8 inch touchscreen primary display. This display houses the machine settings and setups as well as Cross Slope and Automation features.

Exterior Elegance

Overview

Along with the transition to P-Tier, several additional improvements were added to the exterior of the machine. All new sleek styling of the redesigned cab roof. A more durable exterior that consists high edge paint and powder coated latches on service doors to reduce corrosion; all of which will help protect their investment. The new Integrated LED beacons are easier to see and offer a seat belt minder option for operator awareness. John Deeres proven in-cylinder sensors provide performance that counts, with added guarding to keep the grader up and running.

Keep maintenance simple, easy, and practical

Uptime is EVERYTHING! P-Tier graders continue offering complete easy access service points and durability enhancing advantages that help deliver years of trouble-free service.

Ground-level service access – All daily service points [including fuel and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF)] are conveniently grouped on the left side and are easily accessible from ground-level through one door. All periodic maintenance is oriented on the right side of the machine using easy to access vertical spin-on filters.

Superior cooling package – With easily accessible coolers and a hinged swing-out fan assembly, the cooling package is quick and easy to maintain. The variable-speed and auto-reversible fan helps keep the machine running cool by quickly cleaning debris from the coolers. All models offer standard reversing fan.