InfraStructures - November 2006 - PowerTech E Engines Earn EPA Tier 3 Certification

PowerTech E Engines Earn EPA Tier 3 Certification

John Deere Power Systems (JDPS) recently announced that the PowerTech E 4,5 l and 6,8 l engines have been Tier 3 certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These two engines are the first models in the PowerTech E family to receive Tier 3 certification, joining the four PowerTech Plus engine models.

"Now that we have certified not only our PowerTech Plus engines but also two of our PowerTech E engines, we're well prepared to offer a wide variety of environmentally friendly engine options for John Deere and OEM applications that don't compromise on performance," said Mike Weinert, director of engine engineering for JDPS.

In addition to EPA Tier 3 certification, these engines have also been given Stage III A certification by the European Union.

The PowerTech E 4,5 l engine features a power range of 115 hp - 140 hp, and the PowerTech E 6,8 l engine features a power range of 140 hp - 200 hp. These engines come with a two-valve cylinder head and incorporate a high-pressure common-rail fuel system, full-authority electronic controls, a multiple injection strategy, fixed geometry turbocharger, all the performance of Tier 2/Stage II engines and more.

These technologies enabled John Deere to achieve their goals for this line of Tier 3/Stage III A engines, including maintained or improved peak torque, more low-speed torque and better transient-response time.

The PowerTech E engines' full-authority electronic controls also enable them to offer improved cold-start performance, precise engine-speed control, torque-curve shaping and more. Electronic controls increase productivity, improve fuel economy, lower total installed costs and reduce ownership costs.

In addition to the PowerTech Plus and PowerTech E engine lines, JDPS also will offer PowerTech M engines.

"There's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution to the Tier 3/Stage III A challenge," said Doug Laudick, product manager at JDPS. "As we reviewed market needs with many of our OEM customers, we realized we could better serve them by offering not one solution but three."

The main difference among these three engine lines is the level of emissions-control technology employed. PowerTech Plus engines feature cooled exhaust gas recirculation, a variable geometry turbocharger, a state-of-the-art engine control unit, and an electronic unit injector fuel system or a high-pressure common-rail fuel system. PowerTech E engines feature a fixed geometry turbocharger, full-authority electronic controls, and a high-pressure common-rail fuel system or an electronic unit pump fuel system. PowerTech M engines feature economy of design, a fixed geometry or wastegated turbocharger, mechanical controls, a mechanical unit pump fuel system or a mechanical rotary pump fuel system, plus all the performance of Tier 2/Stage II.

Doug Laudick also noted that the PowerTech family of engines is the foundation John Deere will build on for future EPA regulations. "Our Tier 3 engine platforms will be the basis for meeting Tier 4 emission levels beginning in January 2008," he said. "We have already begun exploring a number of technologies, including additional in-cylinder and aftertreatment solutions, that will be applied to the existing Tier 3 platforms."

Source: John Deere Power Systems