John Deere Power Systems this week announced that three models in its lineup of 75 to 174 hp off-highway diesel engines have been certified as compliant with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Interim Tier 4, European Union Stage III B and California Air Resources Board emissions regulations. The PowerTech PWX 4.5L and PVX 4.5L engines and the PowerTech PVX 6.8L model below 174 hp join the previously certified lineup of engines above 174 hp.

“Becoming one of the first engine manufacturers to certify engines in the 56 kW (75 hp) to 130 kW (174 hp) power category provides further evidence that our emissions-reduction solution is the right technology right now,” said Doug Laudick, product planning manager for JDPS.

EPA Interim Tier 4 and EU Stage III B emissions regulations begin Jan. 1, 2012, for 56 kW (75 hp) to 130 kW (174 hp) engines and require a 90-percent reduction in diesel particulate matter and up to an approximate 30-percent reduction in nitrogen oxide from previous Tier 3/Stage III A requirements.

John Deere met Interim Tier 4/Stage III B regulations by starting with its PowerTech Plus Tier 3/Stage III A engine platform — which includes cooled exhaust gas recirculation for NOx control — and adding an exhaust filter for reducing PM. Engines in the 56 kW (75 hp) to 130 kW (174 hp) power range will feature full-authority electronic controls, a 4-valve cylinder head, a high-pressure fuel system, wastegate or variable geometry turbocharging and an air-to-air aftercooling system.

“Through rigorous field and lab testing, we ensure that our engines will meet the unique challenges of off-highway applications — including extreme vibration, high temperatures and duty cycles — in addition to new stringent emissions regulations,” Laudick said.

In choosing a solution for Interim Tier 4/Stage III B, John Deere elected not to use selective catalytic reduction. John Deere’s cooled EGR and exhaust filter approach provides OEMs and end users a solution with the best total fluid economy. Engines featuring cooled EGR take a diesel-fuel-only approach, while SCR-equipped engines utilize both diesel fuel and diesel exhaust fluid to achieve emissions compliance.

John Deere Power Systems, Waterloo, Iowa, manufactures and markets 40- to 600-hp industrial diesel engines and 75- to 750-hp marine diesel engines, as well as drivetrain components for use in a variety of off-highway applications.