Sustainable Solutions | equipment matters
LE
ILL DOWD
N HEARTS
BY LAURE
How changes and
regulations will
affect the industry
t's finally here. Equipment manufacturers are
rolling out their lines of Tier 4 Final machines.
So, what does that mean for landscape contractors?
While emission tiers have been a huge part of
the discussion for manufacturers since the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced the
regulations in 1996, the effect on landscapers is
just starting to be felt as Tier 4 Final requirements
hit 25- to 75-horsepower diesel engines this year.
"The model year 2013 25-horsepower and
larger engines are sophisticated," says Mike Major,
engineering regulatory compliance manager, Kohler
Engines. "With this model year, Tier 4 standards
have introduced low-particulate-matter (soot) limits. Engine manufacturers have adopted advanced
controls and, in most cases, diesel particulate filters
(DPFs) to meet the Tier 4 standards."
Kohler designed their KDI line of diesel engines
without a DPF, however, which they say cuts down
on the purchase price and maintenance.
"Regardless of which engine and emission reduction technology is installed, it's more important
"As Tier 4 equipment becomes
more readily available, states
and municipalities may begin
requiring the use of emissions
-friendly equipment.
"
I
than ever to follow owners' manual maintenance
instructions," Major says.
So, besides reducing the nitrogen-oxide
J U LY 2013
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