Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/335762
EquipmentWorld.com | July 2014 33 John Deere chose an open architecture for its K Series dozers, which allows users to select machine control systems from their pre- ferred vendor: Topcon, Trimble or Leica. (The U.S. system is GPS, but since many machines are also compat- ible with Russia's GLONASS system, manufacturers are using the generic GNSS instead.) The use of base stations and reference networks has made high-precision GNSS signals widely available. The challenge for dozer manufacturers has been to settle on a system to use those signals. There are three primary suppliers of GNSS systems and components – Leica, Topcon and Trimble – and they are not compatible (although conver- sion is possible with aftermarket products). Some dozer OEMs work with one of the big three GNSS companies to develop proprietary machine con- trol systems. Some offer one of the big three systems installed from the factory. Others offer pre-wiring for a specifi c system so installation of that system at the customer's facility is a plug-and-play proposition. Regardless of the approach taken, machine control is better integrated into dozer design, so overall perfor- mance and effi ciency is improved. While there's minimal impact on some features, such as geofencing (restricting operation to within de- fi ned boundaries), there are signifi - cant gains in dozing operations. Other considerations Beyond fuel savings and machine control, other improvements to mid-size dozers include reduced noise, better ergonomics, improved visibility and easier access to service points. But even here electronics often play a role. Multiple injections per combustion cycle improve fuel effi ciency and power output while helping with emissions control, but also help reduce noise, vibration and harshness. Tier 4 Final regulations went into effect for engines greater than 174 horsepower January 1 of this year. Tier 4 Final for engines just below that go into effect January 1, 2015. So all dozers discussed here, which are 130 to 330 horsepower, are under Tier 4 Final or soon will be. Common strategies for compliance include the use of cooled exhaust gas recirculation (CEGR), a diesel oxidative catalyst (DOC), a diesel particulate fi lter (DPF), selective catalytic reduction (SCR) or some combination of these, and the ap- proach chosen by an OEM may vary depending on the size of the equipment and its intended use. Engines using SCR require the use of diesel exhaust fl uid (DEF) and those using DPFs require regen- eration; you need to adjust your operating and service practices ac- cordingly. Here are some of the highlights from several mid-size dozer manu- facturers. Case "These models feature engines from Fiat Powertrain Technologies with SCR," says John Bauer, brand mar- keting manager for Case Construc- tion Equipment. "SCR requires no regeneration or fi lter maintenance and lets the engine run at peak performance without compromising power or drawbar pull." Compared to the closest compara- ble previous Case model, the 2050M offers an 11 percent improvement in fuel effi ciency (measured in cubic yards of material moved per gallon of fuel) and as much as 17 percent greater productivity (mea- sured in yards per hour). And Case says the 1650M offers best-in-class drawbar pull of 61,200 pounds. Advanced electrohydraulics are found throughout the 1650M and 2050M. Blade sensitivity, steering sensitivity and shuttle sensitivity each have three user-selectable settings: smooth, moderate and ag- gressive. A new joystick provides better feel and fi ngertip blade shake allows for quick blade cleaning. Each M Series dozer is compat- ible with blade control technologies