InfraStructures - October 2010 - John Deere Power Systems Receives EPA Interim Tier 4 and EU Stage IIIB Certifications for PowerTech™ 6.8L Engines

John Deere Power Systems Receives EPA Interim Tier 4 and EU Stage IIIB Certifications for PowerTech™ 6.8L Engines

John Deere Power Systems (JDPS) is pleased to announce that their PowerTech PVX 6.8L above 174 hp and their PowerTech PSX 6.8L engine have been certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and European Union (EU) as compliant with the Interim Tier 4 and Stage IIIB regulations. The PowerTech PSX and PVX 6.8L engines join the certified 9.0L engine models. John Deere’s PowerTech PVX and PSX 9.0L engine models were the first engines to receive EPA and EU Interim Tier 4/Stage IIIB certification early this year.

“The EPA and EU certification of our 9.0L engines was a tremendous milestone for JDPS, and now with the 6.8L engines certified we believe it clearly demonstrates our commitment to offer the right technology at the right time,” said Doug Laudick, product planning manager for JDPS. “We also remain committed to ensuring that our Interim Tier 4/Stage IIIB engines deliver performance, reliability, durability and low operating costs that OEMs and customers have come to depend upon. Our certified Interim Tier 4 engine lineup provides OEMs with emission reduction technologies that are paying off for the environment and their customers.”

Interim Tier 4/Stage IIIB emissions regulations begin January 1, 2011, for 174 hp and above engines and require a 90% reduction in diesel particulate matter (PM) and a 50% reduction in nitrogen oxide (NOx) from previous Tier 3/Stage IIIA requirements.

John Deere met the challenge of Interim Tier 4/Stage IIIB regulations by starting with their proven PowerTech Plus Tier 3/Stage IIIA engine platform – which includes cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) for NOx control – and adding an exhaust filter for reducing PM. These engines will feature full-authority electronic controls, a 4-valve cylinder head, a high-pressure fuel system, single variable geometry or series turbocharging and an air-to-air aftercooling system.

“The Interim Tier 4/Stage IIIB certification of our 6.8L models confirms our validation processes. Our field and lab testing continues to ensure the final product will meet the unique requirements expected from off-highway diesel engines,” said Mr. Laudick. “We have received very positive feedback from customers testing our Interim Tier 4/Stage IIIB powered machines in the field. And, we remain committed to ensuring our engines withstand the extreme vibration, temperatures and duty cycles found in those applications.”

In choosing a solution for Interim Tier 4/Stage IIIB, John Deere elected not to use selective catalytic reduction (SCR). John Deere’s cooled EGR and exhaust filter approach provides OEMs and end users a proven solution with the best total fluid economy. The single-fluid approach of cooled EGR means owners and operators will not have to incur the cost of diesel fuel plus the additional cost for diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) required by SCR systems.

“For Interim Tier 4/Stage IIIB, we’re not only looking at fuel economy, we’re taking into consideration total fluid consumption,” said Brian Brown, manager of worldwide marketing support for JDPS.

The certified PowerTech PVX 6.8L offers a power range of 185 - 250 hp, while the PowerTech PSX 6.8L offers 225 - 300 hp. Production of PowerTech 6.8L engines started in September 2010.

Source: Deere & Company