PowerTech family highlight Deere's plans for Tier 3; two new PowerTech designations to be introduced; more details on Tier 3 technology; a further loo

Following its introduction at Bauma 2004 of the PowerTech and PowerTech Plus engine platforms, John Deere Power Systems (JDPS) will continue along that path introducing those engines, and more, to its North American distributors and customers at ConExpo-Con/Agg this month.

At the same time, Deere is releasing additional details about its engine technologies for Tier 3 and Tier 4 and is also announcing two new designations for its four smaller engine platforms.

"It is our full intention to take the technologies we've developed leading up to Tier 3 and move them all the way to Tier 4," said Mike Weinert, director, worldwide engine engineering.

Deere was one of the first global engine manufacturers to announce specific power ratings for Tier 3 diesels last year. For Tier 3, the John Deere Power Systems range has outputs from 40 to 600 hp across six models: 2.4 L, 3.0 L, 4.5 L, 6.8 L, 9.0 L and 13.5 L.

When Deere looked at the challenges presented by Tier 3 and especially Tier 4 emissions regulations, the company identified an engine market that was, in essence, splitting in two. Within that framework, Deere divides its engines into PowerTech and PowerTech Plus families

In Deere's view, the engine world is dividing into a performance market, and a value, or cost-sensitive market segment. While some of this breaks out along engine sizes and equipment types, in general, Deere's higher output engines fall into the performance, or PowerTech Plus market, with the smaller engines into the value or cost-sensitive markets, carrying the PowerTech name. An accompanying table shows more details about these designations.

"Technically, the major differences are that the PowerTech Plus engines are four valves per cylinder and use cooled EGR and variable geometry turbocharging," said Doug Laudick, JDPS product manager.

"The PowerTech engines have two valves per cylinder and features such as standard turbocharging and no EGR. Technology more in tune with the needs of that marketplace," Laudick said.

To these, Deere is now adding other models to the PowerTech line with the announcement of electronic and mechanical versions of the 2.4 L, 3.0 L, 4.5 L and 6.8 L engines. These engines will carry the PowerTech E and PowerTech M designations. Again, more details on these can be found in the accompanying table.

At the same time, Deere is using ConExpo-Con/Agg to announce production schedules for its Tier 3 PowerTech Plus engines. Tier 3 off-highway emission regulations for non-consent decree signers for engines over 175 hp begins in January 2006.