Case, New Holland and Kobelco last week announced their solutions to meet the Tier 4 interim emissions standards, which will come into force beginning in 2011. Tier 4 regulations, which will be introduced in two phases, mandate the biggest cut in pollutants released by construction equipment engines to date. Beginning in 2014, with Tier 4 final standards, Particulate Matter (PM) Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions will be reduced by 90 percent compared to Tier 3.

The companies’ solution to meet this challenge relies on two technologies: Cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation (CEGR) and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR). The technology solution is determined for each model in the respective product lines on the basis of the machine’s engineering characteristics, application requirements and lowest operating costs.

The CEGR system reduces the production of NOx inside the engine by lowering the combustion temperature with a partial exhaust gas recirculation system. The PM levels are reduced by an exhaust filter system. CEGR technology provides durability and low maintenance costs.

SCR technology is an after-treatment system that transforms the NOx produced during the combustion process into nitrogen and water, which occur naturally in the atmosphere, through a chemical reaction with a Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF). The combustion process is optimized to reduce PM, so that no particulate filter is required.

Case Construction Equipment manufactures loader/backhoes, articulated trucks, excavators, telescopic handlers, motor graders, wheel loaders, vibratory compaction rollers, crawler dozers, skid steers, compact track loaders and rough-terrain forklifts. New Holland Construction manufactures and markets a full line of skid-steer loaders, compact track loaders, loader backhoes, tractor loaders, excavators, compact and full-sized wheel loaders, crawler dozers, motor graders and telehandlers. Both Case and New Holland are divisions of CNH Global N.V., which is a majority-owned subsidiary of Fiat S.p.A.

Kobelco Construction Machinery America specializes in the production of compact, mid-size and full-size excavators ranging from 1.8 to 89 tons. It is a joint venture between subsidiaries of CNH and Kobelco Construction Machinery.