As you may have noticed this year I have been tasked with writing the Trail of Tiers feature for Diesel Progress. Trail of Tiers looks at the impending Tier 4 interim and Tier 4 final emissions regulations and how it will impact the different off-road machinery segments. We’ve featured material handling, compact equipment and most recently ag machinery. Power generation and turf equipment are to follow.
When we planned the Trail of Tiers segment for the 2010 edition of Diesel Progress, it seemed an essential topic to cover as Tier 4 is without a doubt the hottest topic on the lips of engine manufacturers and equipment manufacturers in the off-highway world.
My assignment at the time seemed like the perfect opportunity to dig deep into the challenges that every engineer is struggling with as they design for Tier 4. I was going to uncover amazing information for every machine type and divulge incredible facts to our readers.
What Trail of Tiers has taught me is that every equipment manufacturer is facing exactly the same problems with Tier 4, regardless if it is an excavator, telehandler, tractor or skid-steer loader.
Everyone is concerned with visibility and height. Basically how big is the aftertreatment going to be and where are you going to stick it.
Heat is a factor as these things get hot and you can’t have operators touching it or they’ll burn their hands off.
Package size is a concern because you have more stuff to stick in the engine compartment and the radiator has to be bigger to keep the heat down.
Also- no one wants to talk price. Everyone is consistent in saying it will cost more, but they are all unsure or unwilling to say how much more. My guess is a lot more.
So my attempt to be a Pulitzer Prize journalist has been dashed away as my Trail of Tiers articles have become a lot of the same, just different market players. Same problems. Same questions. Same concerns. Basically the same story.
Looking forward to August and October when I bring you Trail of Tiers on power generation and turf equipment, which I am sure, will have the same challenges as the rest of the equipment I have covered. Nonetheless, it should be insightful.
By the way, if you are grappling with more than visibility, cooling and package space, PLEASE let me know!
Hi, Dawn: I read about CAT’s success with Tier 4 in Joe’s latest CT2, and was wondering where I can find the answer to the question, “How did CAT do it?, i.e., what design/parts changes were they forced to make to get this success?
Can you lead me?
Best Regards,
Bruce
Are you the Bruce Ingold from Woodward/ Barber Colman? Would like to get in touch??
nice! Thanks very good for report,I follow your blog