Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/85686
reporter | by Equipment World staff JCB: Quick software fi x solves ULSD dilemma JCB says its Tier 4 Interim Ecomax engines can be recalibrated to allow it to be resold in countries that do not use ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel, addressing mounting concerns that Tier 4 machines can not be sold outside the highly regulated areas such as the United States and Europe. "This recalibration won't sacrifi ce and of the performance advances we've made with these engines," says Ollie Howlett, JCB's engine service manager. The engine "de-tiering" uses a software code to reset the engines, a change JCB says will take minutes at a JCB dealer, which will then apply a "non-emmis- sionized" label issued from the factory. The recali- bration turns off the exhaust gas recirculation and reduces fuel injection pressures. JCB says its engines in theory could even return to Tier 4 Interim status with another software change, since no Tier 4-specifi c hardware is removed in the recalibration. JCB used in-cylinder technologies, including 29,000- psi high pressure common rail fuel injection and vari- able geometry turbocharger, rather than using external gas after treatment or a diesel particulate fi lter. Cooled exhaust gas recirculation is used to further reduce emissions, passing a small amount of the exhaust gas back through the engine to cool the combustion process and reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) within the cylinder. "We've benefi ted from the fact we knew Tier 4 was ahead of us when we came out with our engines in 2004," said Graeme Macdonald, chief operating offi - cer. The company has also benefi ted from its concen- tration on the 74-to-174-horsepower range, and the fact that 90 percent of its engines end up in JCB prod- ucts. Approximately 70 percent of JCB machines have a JCB engine, and the company remains coy about expanding their horsepower offerings. It currently sells its engines to a smattering of non-construction- equipment manufacturers. Approximately 90 percent of JCB's engines are put into its own machines. JCB also says the Ecomax engines will not require MAP-21 After nine extensions of the previous legislation, a new 27-month transportation bill fi nally made it through Con- gress. In a compromise that surprised many in the industry, the $105 billion Moving Ahead for Progress for the 21st Century was signed into law on July 6th. For Kirk Lander's take on the bill, turn to page 74. low-ash oil. The company had previously announced the engines would not need a diesel particulate fi lter. They also deliver a 5 to 10 percent fuel consumption improvement over the fi rm's Tier 3 engines, says the company. Several new machines will have the Ecomax, including JCB's new generation of backhoes, wheel loaders, excavators and telehandlers (see article on page 49). To view a video of the Ecomax engine, go to equipmentworld.com/digital or use your smartphone to scan the QR code. —Marcia Gruver Doyle The Ecomax, using cooled exhaust gas recirculation, will require upgraded fuel and air fi lters. EquipmentWorld.com | August 2012 11