John Deere Engine Earns EPA Tier 3 Certification
February 22, 2006 — John Deere Power Systems,
“With all four engines in the PowerTech Plus family now certified, we're well prepared to offer environmentally friendly engines for John Deere and OEM applications that don't compromise on performance,” said Mike Weinert, director of engine engineering for John Deere Power Systems. “This is another example of our commitment to meeting stringent EPA emission compliance now and in the future.”
The 13.5L engine features a power range of 261 kW • 448 kW (350 hp • 600 hp) and employs the same proven technologies as the other engines in the PowerTech Plus family, particularly the engine electronics, cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), and the variable geometry turbocharger (VGT).
“These technologies are the key to our ability to meet emissions requirements and still live up to our customers' power expectations,” said Paul Post, engineering manager of 13.5L product development for John Deere Power Systems. Limited production quantities of the PowerTech Plus™ 13.5L engine began shipping to OEMs in November 2005.
Tier 3 regulations for 130 kW • 560 kW (175 hp • 750 hp) engines began taking effect in January 2006 and are aimed specifically at reducing oxides of nitrogen (NOx) in non-road applications. A major challenge for engine manufacturers is that technologies used for reducing NOx tend to increase particulate matter (PM), have a negative impact on engine performance, and increases fuel consumption. However, John Deere Power Systems has met that challenge with advanced engine electronics, cooled EGR, and the VGT.
The PowerTech Plus engine family is composed of the 13.5L, 9.0L, 6.8L, and 4.5L models, and they represent the ultimate Tier 3 solution from John Deere. Compared to their Tier 2 counterparts, the PowerTech Plus Tier 3 engines feature improved performance characteristics such as increased levels of power bulge, higher peak torque levels, greater low-speed torque, improved transient response, and better cold weather starting. PowerTech Plus engines also provide best-in-class fuel economy. “When high performance and fuel economy are both major concerns, our PowerTech Plus engines are really the ultimate Tier 3 solution,” said Doug Laudick, product manager at John Deere Power Systems.
In addition to the PowerTech Plus engine models, John Deere also will offer the PowerTech E™ and PowerTech M™ models, giving customers a full range of solutions to meet the Tier 3 challenge. The PowerTech E family will include the 2.4L, 3.0L, 4.5L and 6.8L engine models, and the PowerTech M family will include 2.4L/3.0L, and 4.5L engine models.
“Our Tier 3 engine platforms will be the basis for meeting Tier 4 emission levels beginning in January 2008,” Laudick 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.”
