Proudly serving the industry for which it was named for more than 50 years, Outdoor Power Equipment provides dealers who sell and service outdoor power equipment with valuable information to succeed in a competitive market.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/59432
By Dave Worden Tier 4 diesel emissions standards: ARE YOU READY? n this article, I will delve into the new Tier 4 emissions standards and then look at some of the technology being implemented. Specifically, I will touch on a new Tier 4 engine that was introduced by Kohler at GIE+EXPO 2011. I Background The following notes are excerpts taken from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website at www.epa.gov. Hopefully, they will give you a better understanding of the rules and regulations: Clean Air Rules of 2004 These rules address ozone and fine particle pollution, nonroad diesel emissions, and power plant emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and mercury. The EPA has adopted a comprehensive national program to reduce emissions from future nonroad diesel engines by integrating engine and fuel controls as a system to gain the greatest emission reductions. To meet these emissions standards, engine manufacturers will produce new engines with advanced emission-control technologies similar to those already expected for highway trucks and buses. Exhaust emissions from these engines will decrease by more than 90 percent. Because the emission-control devices can be damaged by sulfur, the EPA is also adopting a limit to decrease the allowable level of sulfur in nonroad diesel fuel by more than 99 percent. Quick overview of the Tier 1-3 standards 1) Tier 1 for new nonroad (or off-road) diesel engines were adopted in 1994 for engines over 37 kW (50 hp.) to be phased in from 1996 to 2000. 2) In 1996, a Statement of Principles (SOP) pertaining to nonroad diesel engines was signed between EPA, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and engine makers. 3) On Aug. 27, 1998, the EPA signed the final rule reflecting the provisions of the SOP. The 1998 regulation introduced Tier 1 standards for equipment under 37 kW (50 hp.) and were increasingly more stringent. 4) Tier 2 and Tier 3 standards for all equipment with phase-in schedules from 2000 to 2008. The Tier 1-3 standards were met through advanced engine design, with no or only limited use of exhaust gas aftertreatment (oxidation catalysts). Tier 3 standards for NOx + hydrocarbons (HC) are similar in stringency to the 2004 standards for highway engines; however, Tier 3 standards for particulate matter (PM) were never adopted. 5) Tier 4 standards. On May 11, 2004, the EPA signed the final rule introducing Tier 4 emission standards, which are to be phased in from 2008 to 2015. The Tier 4 standards require that emissions of PM and NOx be further reduced by about 90 percent. Such emission reductions can be achieved through the use of control technologies — including advanced exhaust gas aftertreatment — similar to those required by the 2007-2010 standards for highway engines. All of the previously mentioned information is to give you, the technician, a little better understanding of how the diesel engine has evolved. For manufacturers, service centers and you, the technician, what does the new standard mean? Frequently asked questions Question (Q): Once the Tier 4 engines hit the market, can I still order a Tier 3 engine? Answer (A): According to federal law and EPA regulations, depending on the machine, manufacturers will only be able to produce the Tier 4 engines after the established deadlines. However, equipment dealers can sell inventories of engines and equipment from the previous generation technology (Tier 3) until the inventory is depleted. Each engine and equipment OEM may have different technology and transition plans, so it will be important to understand these requirements. Q: Do these engines require a different fuel? A: Yes! New Tier 4 generation engines and equipment will require the use of ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel, which has no more than 15-parts-per-million (ppm) sulfur. This fuel has been used since 2006 in on-highway vehicles. Older off- road machines and engines can continue to use the higher sulfur fuels that will be available in diminishing quantities. Q: Will additional dealer diagnostic equipment be needed? A: Technicians will need to have a general familiarity with electronically controlled engines, exhaust aftertreatment control devices, the concept and practice of measuring backpressure, along with the general exhaust equipment maintenance and operation. New operator warning lights and dashboard indicators will likely be included. Some Tier 4 engines/machines may use particulate filter technology that could require periodic maintenance and cleaning and/or removal. Then again, some manufacturers will use Selective Catalyst Reduction (SCR) technology, so service employees will need to be trained in the general aspects of SCR technology. Training on the safe handling, storage, disposal and dispensing of diesel exhaust fluid, including its material safety data sheet (MSDS), is also strongly suggested. Q: Are any additional technician training and certifications needed? Do the new engines require additional maintenance? A: Some new Tier 4 engines may have additional or different maintenance requirements as compared to previous generations of equipment. You will 28 OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT www.outdoorpowerequipment.com