JDPS Receives EPA Interim Tier 4 and EU Stage III B Certifications for PowerTech 6.8L Engines

In a milestone that will benefit both the environment and its customers, John Deere Power Systems (JDPS) has announced that its PowerTech PVX 6.8L above 130 kW (174 hp) and their PowerTech PSX 6.8L engine have been certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and European Union (EU) as compliant with the Interim Tier 4 and Stage III B regulations. The PowerTech PSX and PVX 6.8L engines join the certified 9.0L engine models. John Deere’s PowerTech PVX and PSX 9.0L engine models were the first engines to receive EPA and EU Interim Tier 4/Stage III B certification early this year.

“The EPA and EU certification of our 9.0L engines was a tremendous milestone for JDPS, and now with the 6.8L engines certified we believe it clearly demonstrates our commitment to offer the right technology at the right time,” said Doug Laudick, product planning manager for JDPS. “We also remain committed to ensuring that our Interim Tier 4/Stage III B engines deliver performance, reliability, durability and low operating costs that OEMs and customers have come to depend upon. Our certified Interim Tier 4 engine lineup provides OEMs with emission reduction technologies that are paying off for the environment and their customers.”

Interim Tier 4/Stage III B emissions regulations begin Jan. 1, 2011, for 174 hp (130 kW) and above engines and require a 90 percent reduction in diesel particulate matter (PM) and a 50 percent reduction in nitrogen oxide (NOx) from previous Tier 3/Stage III A requirements.

John Deere met the challenge of Interim Tier 4/Stage III B regulations by starting with its proven PowerTech Plus Tier 3/Stage III A engine platform — which includes cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) for NOx control — and adding an exhaust filter for reducing PM. These engines will feature full-authority electronic controls, a four-valve cylinder head, a high-pressure fuel system, single variable geometry or series turbocharging and an air-to-air aftercooling system.
 
“The Interim Tier 4/Stage III B certification of our 6.8L models confirms our validation processes. Our field and lab testing continues to ensure the final product will meet the unique requirements expected from off-highway diesel engines,” Laudick said. “We have received very positive feedback from customers testing our Interim Tier 4/Stage III B powered machines in the field. And, we remain committed to ensuring our engines withstand the extreme vibration, temperatures and duty cycles found in those applications.”

In choosing a solution for Interim Tier 4/Stage III B, John Deere elected not to use selective catalytic reduction (SCR). John Deere’s cooled EGR and exhaust filter approach provides OEMs and end users a proven solution with the best total fluid economy. The single-fluid approach of cooled EGR means owners and operators won’t have to incur the cost of diesel fuel plus the additional cost for diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) required by SCR systems.

“For Interim Tier 4/Stage III B, we’re not only looking at fuel economy, we’re taking into consideration total fluid consumption,” said Brian Brown, manager of worldwide marketing support for JDPS.

The certified PowerTech PVX 6.8L offers a power range of 185-250 hp, (138-187 kW) while the PowerTech PSX 6.8L offers 225-300 hp (168 – 224 kW). PowerTech 6.8L engines will go into production in this month.