Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/141668
Market Update ("Tier Fear, Are Dealers Ready? Or Not?" continued from page 22) It is these Tier-4 Final standards that begin to take effect in 2014. Each new Tier-4 Final engine system generally is a refinement of an earlier system, sometimes with additional emission regulating features. However, most of them also will introduce use of a new fluid – urea. The urea is injected into exhaust systems to reduce emissions. Acronyms litter any talk of emissions engineering. Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology requires the use of a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), or urea. Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) technology requires the use of a diesel particulate filter (DFP). Electronic control units (ECU) regulate the fuel injection system, which sometimes allows an engine to meet standards without a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC). And so on. The major diesel engine manufacturers use various combinations of these technologies in proprietary configurations. In theory, the phasing in of these technologies and predecessor technologies in Tiers 1, 2, and 3 is where the learning for dealer tech shop personnel should have begun. Tier-4 Final is mostly a continuation of those technologies. While the urea add-on will be a new wrinkle for diesel mechanics, the techs might already have worked on highway diesel trucks that utilize it. Nevertheless, Brinker believes the dealership learning curve is precipitously steep. "I was talking with a John Deere executive, who has been very good about educating dealers on Tier-4," Brinker said. "I asked him what keeps him up at night and he said, training. I agree. It is never-ending, like a dry sponge that always must be ready to soak up water. I have to get dealers ready to soak up water. "They have to start thinking about their tech and sales training, how they are going to stock all the new parts, what their customer support plan is, about their people and parts resources. When they get it all figured out, they will need to get techs trained. You can't train too early either." He says much of the training will be virtual, but interactive tools can at least show whether the training is working. Another concern is that other shops might hire away a dealer's trained people. "I worry about all of this, but that drives me to make sure all the necessary education enablers are in place for dealers as they need them. There are some challenges ahead to navigate around, but I am very confident that dealers of Cummins-powered equipment – and indeed other dealers across the industry – will be educated, trained and ready for when Tier-4 Final comes into effect next year." Lowe Manufacturing coMpany, inc. 18903 High point road Viola, wi 54664 pH: (888) Dig-Lowe (344-5693) fX: (608) 538-3995 www.LoweMan.com Lowe@LoweMan.com PRODUCTIVE, DURABLE, VALUE. ® AUGERS TRENCHERS GRAPPLES 24 | www.cedmag.com | Construction Equipment Distribution | July 2013 22_Tier4_Feature_KP.indd 24 6/27/13 12:52 PM