Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about Tier 4 emission regulations and the Case IH Efficient Power solution.
What does Tier 4 mean? What's the difference between Tier 4A and Tier4B/Final?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Canadian Environmental Protection Agency (CEPA) set emissions standards for off-road diesel engines in 1996. Over this 16-year period, emissions standards targets must be met at various intervals, all leading to the final standard in 2014. Tier 4A standards became mandatory in 2011 and required a 90 percent reduction in particulate matter (PM) and a 50 percent reduction in Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) over previous Tier 3 requirements. The Tier 4 B/Final regulations must be met in 2014 and do not require any further decrease in PM but do call for an additional 80 percent reduction in NOx.
How is Case IH achieving Tier 4A emissions standards?
Case IH has worked extensively with sister company FPT Industrial to develop and test SCR-only engines that will meet the requirements of demanding, high-horsepower agriculture applications AND comply with EPA and CEPA emissions standards.
SCR uses Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) to treat exhaust outside the engine compartment to reduce NOx. Enhanced engine operation reduces PM. Using this type of system minimizes the number of engine components and keeps the engine design simple and straightforward. Other benefits of SCR include increased performance in high-horsepower applications and improved fuel economy.
Why did Case IH choose SCR?
After evaluating all the options, SCR-only is the system that best meets the high-horsepower requirement of producers. Some other factors that influenced the decision are:
- Cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation (CEGR) systems limit engine performance
- SCR is simpler – exhaust is treated downstream from the engine, allowing the engine to operate at peak efficiency without additional CEGR components in the engine compartment
- No regeneration or diesel particulate filter (DPF) required
- Fuel economy improvement of up to 10 percent when comparing Tier 4A to Tier 3
- Sulfur level in diesel is immaterial
- 600-hour oil change interval
- With SCR, transition to Tier 4 B/Final does not require changes in customers’ operations
Why did Case IH choose to work with FPT?
FPT is a global leader in SCR technology. It has built 240,000 SCR engines since 2006, logging more than a billion hours in a variety of applications around the world. Case IH FPT engines have already logged more than 3 million hours in North American agricultural applications. The results are engines that meet or exceed emissions standards while providing superior power, better fuel economy, simple design and longer oil change intervals.
How do Case IH FPT engines with SCR perform?
The Nebraska Tractor Test Lab measured maximum drawbar horsepower and fuel efficiency for Tier 4A Case IH Steiger tractors, along with other tractors in the same category, including competitor models. The results confirmed that Steiger 600 with duals, designed for handling today’s larger implements, set new records for both maximum PTO horsepower and maximum drawbar horsepower
Do Case IH engines require any extra maintenance?
The Case IH SCR system does NOT require any extra maintenance. In fact, oil change intervals have been extended to 600 hours, there is no Diesel Particulate Filter to service, and because the SCR components are separate from the engine compartment, service access is simplified. This also means the engine is insulated from any issues with the emissions system.
Do I need to upgrade my Case IH Tier 3 tractor?
No. All tractors manufactured before the Tier 4 transition are exempt from new EPA/EU Tier 4 regulations. A Case IH Tier 3 engine can’t be converted to a Tier 4 SCR system.
What is the labor impact to my operation?
Again, the impact should be positive. With less maintenance required, customers have more uninterrupted operating hours. Filling the DEF fluid reservoir can be done at the same time as fuel refills, adding little or no time to your daily maintenance routine.
What is the financial impact to my operation?
The financial impact should be a positive. Case IH FPT SCR engines yield a 10 percent average fuel savings over comparable Tier 3 models. DEF is at or below the cost of diesel per gallon, and for Tier 4A, operators can expect about a 3-6 percent usage rate. Since the oil change intervals are longer, customers do less maintenance and get more of their most valuable commodity of all – time in the field. To estimate fuel savings for your operation, visit our SCR Fuel Savings Calculator.
How will Case IH address Tier 4B/Final emissions standards?
For Tier 4 B/Final, Case IH will continue with the SCR-only system we chose right from the start. A few new components enhance the prior system by providing:
- Improved system monitoring
- Better NOx conversion
- The ability to better control exhaust temperature in cold applications
A higher DEF rate will be required to achieve Tier 4B requirements, but Case IH still expects an average 10 percent reduction in diesel fuel consumption to more than offset any additional costs.
How will Case IH customers be impacted by the change to Tier 4 B/Final?
Customers who have already begun to use Case IH Tier 4A equipment will not need to make any changes to transition to Tier 4 B/Final. They will continue to use DEF as they do today and see similar fuel savings.
If SCR works so well, why don't other manufacturers use it?
Some competitors have used SCR in combination with other systems at various stages, but Case IH is the only manufacturer to use SCR exclusively to meet the Tier 4 B/Final standards. The proprietary Case IH FPT design, developed in cooperation with sister company FPT Industrial, boasts a very high NOx conversion rate (over 95 percent vs. 80-85 percent for competitors) and is protected by eight different FPT patents.
All competitors will include SCR as part of a hybrid system for their Tier 4 B/Final engines, but their systems will still require an EGR valve, causing their systems to have more components and require additional maintenance that Case IH engines won’t.
What’s DEF?
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is combination of highly refined 32.5 percent urea and 67.5 percent ionized water used in SCR exhaust systems. DEF is injected into the exhaust system and converts ammonia and carbon dioxide. These gasses pass into the SCR chamber and react to form harmless nitrogen and water vapor, which are released through the exhaust pipe.
Is DEF easy to find?
Because over-the-road trucks and some diesel passenger vehicles already require DEF, it has been available for some time and can be purchased at your Case IH dealer, local co-op or selected fuel retailers.
What are the logistical implications of handling a second fluid?
Portable tanks are available to transport DEF to the field, including trailers that will hold both diesel and DEF in separate reservoirs. For Tier 4A, you should plan to refill the DEF tank after every other fuel fill.
Does DEF require any special handling?
In order to avoid contaminating your SCR system, avoid using DEF hoses, nozzles, tanks, etc. for any other fluids. DEF is nontoxic and requires no special equipment to handle. If it comes in contact with skin or eyes, simply rinse the affected area with water.
How should DEF be stored?
DEF should be stored in plastic or certain types of stainless steel, and it should be kept between 12 degrees Fahrenheit (-10 Celsius) and 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius). When too hot, DEF can break down, reducing shelf life. If kept too cold it will freeze, although it can be thawed out and used without affecting performance. When stored properly, DEF will have a shelf life of up to two years.
Will DEF freeze?
DEF in tractors or storage containers will freeze in temperatures under 12oF (-11oC). But Case IH tractor customers do not need to worry about low temperatures affecting the DEF. The Case IH DEF tank has an automatic heater to bring the DEF to the optimal operating temperature. Start-up does not rely on the DEF system, so you will not experience any delays on cold winter mornings. Not to mention, freezing and thawing will not change the chemical properties of the DEF.
What is the shelf life of DEF?
DEF’s alkalinity is comparable to that of baking soda, and is slightly corrosive. For this reason, it should be stored in approved containers, such as plastic or stainless steel. DEF has a shelf life of 6-12 months. While DEF is ideally stored between 12oF (-11oC) and 86oF (30oC), it can be stored outdoors as long as you rotate it seasonally.
Will mud and debris affect SCR?
No. Unlike EGR, which uses an easy to plug particulate filter, the Case IH SCR system is designed to meet the demands of rugged agriculture and heavy construction applications.
How much DEF will my Case IH tractor use?
The consumption rate of DEF will vary depending on engine load, but in typical agricultural applications ranges between three to five percent of diesel fuel consumption. Depending on engine load and implement size, a high-horsepower MDF tractor consuming 10 gallons-per-hour and working 400 hours per year would typically utilize 100 to 200 gallons per year. In the new generation of Case IH tractors, it's estimated that for every gallon of DEF utilized, you save TWO gallons of diesel fuel - thanks to the enhanced fuel economy allowed by the DEF-enabled Case IH SCR technology.
Where is the DEF stored on the tractor?
DEF is stored in a dedicated tank on the tractor next to the fuel tank. The DEF tank on a Case IH tractor has a capacity such that it needs to be filled every secondary fuel fill. DEF tanks range in size from 15 to 50 gallons depending on the tractor size and horsepower. The DEF tank fill opening is designed to accommodate only a DEF fill nozzle, which ensures that only DEF is pumped into the DEF tank. Standard diesel fuel nozzles do not fit into the DEF tank opening.
How do I know if my DEF tank needs filling?
On Case IH tractors, the A-post instrument cluster has a DEF level gauge, which shows the fluid level and indicates when it is time to refill. If the DEF tank fluid level becomes low, a series of warnings alerts the operator after DEF reaches less than 10% of capacity. If the DEF tank reaches less than 5%, the tractor engine power will de-rate, but power is still available to allow the operator to return to a convenient location to add DEF to the tank. Because Case IH tractors are designed so that the DEF tank needs to be filled very other diesel fuel fill, the DEF level can be easily managed by simply filling DEF during diesel fuel fills.