Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/320559
EquipmentWorld.com | June 2014 47 U sing the occasion of producing its 20 mil- lionth engine, Perkins delved further into its previously announced Tier 4 Final approach, including how it will accommodate the resale of Tier 4 engines into lower regu- lated countries. "We are approaching nearly 100,000 Tier 4 Interim engines in the field, representing more than 51 million operating hours," says Martin Parker, technical manager. Perkins will build on its Interim strategy with Tier 4 Final, using a variety of approaches depend- ing on engine horsepower. In its 174- to 300-horsepower offering, for example, Perkins is using selective catalytic reduction, a NOx Reduction System, a diesel oxidation catalyst/diesel particu- late filter, and a diesel exhaust fluid system. In its 1206F engines, the high- est Perkins horsepower offering for construction equipment, the total fluid consumption has been reduced by up to 5 percent, a calculation that represents an up to 8 percent decrease in fuel consumption and the addition of 2 to 3 percent DEF. The engines can run 10,000 hours before they need ash service. Used Tier 4 resale plan The resale of Tier 4 engines into lower emissions regulated countries that have higher amounts of sul- fur in their fuel is a "a complicated problem, and we spent a significant amount of time working out our plan," Parker says. And it's one that's becoming increasingly urgent. "Many of our Tier 4 Interim engines are now above 9,000 hours." Tier 4 machines require ultra low sulfur diesel, choking on higher sulfur amounts in fuel. Since a sig- nificant portion of used machines in highly regulated countries are sold into lower regulated countries – the common U.S.-to-Central-and-South America route, for example – engine manufacturers have had to come up with ways to "de-tier" Tier 4 engines (usually involving the removal of the aftertreatment), allowing them to operate on fuel with higher sulfur amounts. Perkins approached this chal- lenge by identifying the most likely destinations and types of machines sold into lower regulated countries. "For our first phase, beginning this year, we will focus on the dealers most likely to see these initial used machines," Parker says. Making sure these dealers are ready with tool- ing and training, Perkins will then gradually expand the program as the used Tier 4 machine population grows. And since Tier 4 Final engines have more complicated aftertreatment systems, the program will evolve as those engines start to appear in lower regulated regions. This approach will only be neces- sary for engines under 175 horse- power. "We will probably need to do a fuel filtration upgrade above 174 horsepower, but we won't have to take off the aftertreatment," Parker says, an approach that is common with Perkin's parent company, Cater- pillar. Will there be a Tier 5? Right now, European Stage IV and Tier 4 Final regulations are similar, or "harmonized," which makes it easier for engine and machine manu- facturers to produce products for both highly regulated areas. Pro- posed European Stage V emission regulations that will broaden the scope of tailpipe exhaust require- ments may have implications for even further emission regulations here in the United States The proposed off-road Stage V regs, slated to begin in 2019 if implemented, further attack the amounts of particulate matter exiting a machine's exhaust sys- tem, which in the United States was reduced by 90 percent from Tier 3 to Tier 4 Final. The emphasis this time is on the health effects of fine particu- late matter and concentrates on par- ticle number limits instead of particle mass limits. "This will require us to understand even more how machines are used so that we can optimize the technology choice to meet this regula- tion," says Robin Woodward, 4- to 7-liter product manager. If the United States adopts similar regulations, one immediate impact could be the requirement of emis- sions aftertreatment on engines in the 25 to 75 horsepower range, which currently do not require the use of a DPF. Perkins says there still is no clear indication which route the U.S. Envi- ronmental Protection Agency will take – if any – in response to Stage V. product report | by Marcia Gruver Doyle | MGruver@randallreilly.com Perkins delves into resale issue of Tier 4 engines into lower regulated countries, details Tier 4 Final approach The Perkins Peterborough facility has the capacity to produce 500,000 engines a year.