John Deere last week announced it will use cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) engines with exhaust filters consisting of a diesel oxidation catalyst/diesel particulate filter in its construction equipment to meet the 2011 Interim Tier 4 (iT4)/Stage III B emissions regulations mandated by the EPA and EU for diesel engines 174 hp and above.
“We’re looking to provide the simplest iT4 solution for equipment users, all while delivering the productivity, uptime and low daily operating costs that customers expect from Deere,” said Joe Mastanduno, product marketing manager, engines and drivetrains, for John Deere Construction & Forestry. “We believe cooled EGR with exhaust filters is the right technology right now.”
Deere’s approach to the iT4 solution builds upon the current clean burning and fuel efficient Tier 3/Stage III A PowerTech Plus engine platform manufactured by John Deere Power Systems.
The John Deere cooled EGR engine platform for iT4 compliance is simpler, more operator friendly and less complex to maintain compared to SCR (selective catalytic reduction) systems, the company said.
“Unlike SCR, this IT4 solution doesn’t require liquid urea to achieve emissions compliance, so there are no additional fluids to worry about obtaining, filling or storing on remote jobsites at proper temperatures,” Mastanduno said. “EGR is a single-fluid solution, and that fluid is diesel fuel.”
Extensive testing in key products featuring these engines, such as the 350D excavator, 700J crawler dozer and the new 772G motor grader, has shown a 10-percent or greater advantage in “material moved per fuel used” over competitors.
“Our field experience has also proven that John Deere cooled EGR engines operate efficiently with traditional low-sulfur diesel fuels as well as B5 to B20 biodiesel blends,” Mastanduno said. “We’ve seen optimal performance with fuel-choice flexibility.”
John Deere designs, manufactures and services the engine, drivetrain, hydraulics, electronic control unit, cooling and other vehicle systems as part of the complete equipment package. This integrated approach maximizes performance, operator convenience and fuel economy, all with an eye toward providing outstanding overall value to customers.
“Deere dealers will be highly trained to service and support these new engines and optimize total vehicle efficiency,” Mastanduno said.
John Deere, headquartered in Moline, Ill., is an international provider of advanced products and services for agriculture, forestry, construction, lawn and turf care, landscaping and irrigation. John Deere also provides financial services worldwide and manufactures and markets engines used in heavy equipment.
