The most advanced and efficient clean diesel equipment and technology for construction, industrial and farm use was unveiled to the public for the first time at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2014. More than 120,000 visitors and 2,400 exhibitors attended the five-day event, which began Tuesday at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Because a majority of all construction and agricultural equipment is diesel-powered, this new generation of clean diesel technology unveiled at the convention will power the future of these two vital sectors of the economy, said Allen Schaeffer, the Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum.
“In 2004, EPA challenged diesel engine and equipment makers to virtually eliminate emissions from a wide range of diesel engines used in construction, farm and industrial applications,” Schaeffer said. “Beginning in 2008, manufacturers responded with increasingly low-emissions technology leading up to the 2014 Tier 4 standards.
“What we’re seeing here this week is the unveiling of the newest clean diesel technology for the iconic workhorses of every construction project - wheel loaders, backhoes, excavators and bulldozers - in many shapes and sizes that are able to work in the smallest spaces or move the heaviest loads of material. These are the bread and butter of the construction industry, and now these machines are more than 90% lower in emissions than a decade ago,” Schaeffer said.
New Diesel Technology Reduces Emissions & Increases Efficiency of Wide Selection of Equipment
“There are two things that make this 2014 so-called Tier 4 accomplishment especially significant. First, the fact that manufacturers were able to meet this challenge over such a wide range of diverse size and types of construction equipment is truly a remarkable achievement. Second, the manufacturers were able to do it while also making these machines more efficient and productive for their customers. Reducing fuel costs, lowering emissions and improving productivity are key considerations for any contractor.”
Schaeffer said manufacturers have met the emissions challenge by using a variety of innovative engineering strategies to deliver near- zero emissions of particulate matter and nitrogen oxide emissions across this wide range of equipment. Particulate filters, exhaust gas recirculation, oxidation catalysts, selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and many in-engine strategies are being deployed in varying combinations.
“With the increasing demands for green construction practices on infrastructure and public works projects, these new machines will be an essential asset for contractors looking to win these important bids,” Schaeffer said. “Smaller machines and engines met many of these clean diesel standards last year, while the largest engines used in locomotive and marine applications are required to reduce emissions by over 90% in 2015.
“It’s also interesting to see how the new clean diesel technology platform is the foundation for new hybrid powertrains now being introduced in some excavators, bulldozers and wheel loaders. The combination of the most energy efficient clean diesel engine with hybrid technology will be an irresistible combination for some contractors.
Several Manufacturers are Leaders in Advanced Technology
“The best examples of the new generation of clean diesel engines and equipment – come from the leaders in the industry; companies like Caterpillar, Cummins, Bosch, Deere, Volvo, Johnson Matthey, Navistar, Mack Trucks, Tognum/MTU Onsite Energy, Case New Holland, Yanmar, FPT Industrial and Isuzu. They are producing technologies that best meet the growing demands of their customers and increasingly diverse societal demands for environmental performance.”
