John Deere Power Systems announced July 17 that the company’s engine lineup 174 hp and above received U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Final Tier 4, European Union (EU) Stage IV, and California Air Resources Board (CARB) emissions certification. The PowerTech PVS 6.8L, PowerTech PSS 6.8L, PowerTech PSS 9.0L and PowerTech PSS 13.5L models are the first John Deere off-highway engines to receive these certifications in the 174 hp to 750 hp power category.

Final Tier 4 emissions regulations begin January 1, 2014, for engines 174 hp and above, and require an 80% reduction in nitrogen oxides (NOx) from previous interim Tier 4 requirements. Particulate matter (PM) levels remain the same as those mandated by Interim Tier 4 regulations.

For Final Tier 4, John Deere continued with its planned building-block approach by developing the Integrated Emissions Control system. For 125 hp and above engines, John Deere will offer models equipped with an Integrated Emissions Control system configured with cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), and diesel particulate filter (DPF), as well as an selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system. The DOC/DPF reduces PM while cooled EGR and the SCR system reduce NOx.

With the use of SCR technology for Final Tier 4 engines, total fluid economy becomes important. Total fluid economy takes into account both diesel fuel and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). DEF consumption with John Deere Final Tier 4 engines will be 1-3% of diesel fuel consumption depending on the application. With diesel fuel economy gains achieved through increased injection pressures and the optimized Integrated Emissions Control system, John Deere Final Tier 4 engines are expected to improve upon the total fluid economy of interim Tier 4 engines. Low DEF consumption also means the DEF tank size can be smaller, minimizing the space required on equipment. Other benefits of low DEF consumption include less on-site bulk storage requirements for customers and extended DEF filter service intervals, according to the company.

Models and power ratings for the certified Final Tier 4 engine lineup 174 hp and above include:

• PowerTech PVS 6.8L: 185 hp to 250 hp

• PowerTech PSS 6.8L: 225 hp to 300 hp

• PowerTech PSS 9.0L: 250 hp to 425 hp

• PowerTech PSS 13.5L: 414 hp to 600 hp

The worldwide John Deere dealer network of more than 4,000 service locations will be trained and prepared to fully support customers and their Final Tier 4 engines, the company stated.