Moline, Ill.-John Deere claims its choice of cooled-exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) engines to meet EPA-mandated regulations for the reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions has a number of advantages. They say use of EGR engines avoids the need for a separate tank, a sophisticated urea injection system, heating for the tank and delivery lines (since urea freezes), and tamper-proof diagnostic equipment that are part of selective catalytic reduction (SCR). Deere maintains that the most important part of EGR is that it does not require any operator intervention that involves having to deal with the cost and hassle of a second fluid, noting that SCR may be an appropriate technology for the future when the technology is more developed for off-highway applications. “We’re looking to provide the simplest iT4 (Interim Tier 4/Stage III B) solution for equipment users, all the while delivering the productivity, uptime and low daily operating costs that customers expect from Deere,” said Joe Mastanduno, product marketing manager, engines and drivetrains, for John Deere Construction & Forestry. “We believe cooled EGR with exhaust filters is the right technology right now.” Deere maintains that the lower an engine’s peak combustion temperature, the less the amount of NOx that is created, and that EGR is an effective method of achieving this. The concept is simple, Deere insists. With cooled EGR, measured amounts of exhaust gas are cooled and mixed with incoming fresh air to lower peak combustion temperatures, thereby reducing NOx. John Deere was the first engine manufacturer to widely commercialize cooled EGR in off-highway applications, introducing it in 2005 with the start of Tier 3/Stage III A emissions regulations. Deere claims experience with cooled EGR over a wide range of applications, resulting in a proven record of reliability with this technology. Other engine manufacturers are just now considering adopting these technologies for off-highway applications.
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