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Operating Costs Reduced And
Cummins recently announced the result of a ‘‘Fuel Duel’’ test confirming a 5% fuel efficiency improvement for a Tier 4 Interim QSB6.7 installation compared to an identical machine powered by a Tier 3 engine. The fuel consumption evaluation was conducted under site conditions across a series of duty cycles representative of typical working operations. The Fuel Duel was undertaken to fully validate previous test results from other Cummins concept installations that have also demonstrated impressive reductions in fuel consumption while meeting EPA Tier 4 Interim and EU Stage IIIB low-emissions standards taking effect in 2011. Identical front-end loaders in the 190 to 200 hp class were used as host machines for the Fuel Duel, offering the high engine load factors typical of hardworking equipment. The various duty cycle tests included short and long cycle times with minimal idle time to represent real-world real operation. The machines undertook a sequence of pile breakout and bucket discharge testing, together with repeated sprints and braking. “The results from the Fuel Duel speak for themselves. OEMs can expect lower cost of operation and enhanced productivity from their Cummins-powered equipment while achieving Tier 4 Interim low-emission standards,” said Hugh Foden, Cummins executive director Off-Highway Business. “We have an inherent technology advantage to meet the 2011 emissions standards because we design and manufacture the complete engine system from air-in to exhaust-out aftertreatment. This means we can leverage our integration advantage to formulate a cleaner and more fuel-efficient combustion process,” added Mr. Foden. Fuel Duel Test Measurement Both the Tier 3 and Tier 4 Interim-powered machines were operated by the same driver back-to-back with the same bucket size and tire pressure to eliminate any possible variables that could influence the results. Fuel consumption was measured using a special secondary fuel tank mounted on each of the front-end loaders and precisely weighed after each test to record the exact amount of fuel consumed. The 5% fuel savings represented an overall average measured over different duty cycle tests, with each test performed repeatedly to further validate the results. Virtual Fuel Consumption Analysis “We take the fuel map and duty cycle data of the current Tier 3 machine as a starting point. This is used as a basis to build up a predicted fuel consumption across the power curve of the intended Tier 4 Interim powered machine,” explained Keith Nolting, Cummins director Industrial Applications. “The fuel consumption analysis can be conducted quickly and enables performance optimization work to begin well ahead of the prototype installation – saving the OEM both engineering time and resources. By working with the OEM to understand a specific application duty cycle, we can fine tune various machine and engine features at the virtual design stage to realize the best possible fuel efficiency,” added Mr. Nolting.
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The 6,7 l QSB engines competing back-to-back in the Fuel Duel were specified with the same power output, peak torque and rated speed. The higher fuel efficiency of the Tier 4 Interim engine was achieved without compromising machine performance. In fact, the Tier 4 Interim QSB6.7-powered machine completed the Fuel Duel tests within shorter cycle times due to a faster engine response to load demands.
