Are diesel regulations helping? The added components on a Tier 4 diesel exhaust system have actually reduced the fuel efficiency of the new diesel engine. Today we are burning more fuel with a cleaner exhaust. Hmmmmm.
I am going to avoid the political debate and address the issue at hand. The inevitable transfer to tier 4 engines. How can you avoid it?
The primary addition to the exhaust system is the addition of DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid). This is a mixture of pure water and Urea. When it is sprayed into the exhaust a chemical reaction occurs converting the exhaust to nitrogen and water vapor. The engine system needs to run hot to completely burn the fuel for the DEF system to work. If it is not running hot enough, diesel particulates collect in an exhaust filter, causing back pressure on the engine. (Tune in next week for DPF talk).
The only way to avoid this inevitable transfer to tier 4 engines is to save and rebuild your Teir 3 trucks and equipment. With vehicle technology, I don’t believe a 2006 Tier 3 Ford truck is worth replacing the tier 3 engine. There are too many electrical components that have reached the end of their useful life and you will have more problems that will decrease the dependability of your transportation. Plus its hot in Texas and I know my AC is going to retire at or around 100,000 miles.
It’s time to evaluate your diesel equipment fleet. What components are attached to the diesel engine have a long enough dependable life to replace the Tier 3 block? Personally, I think man lifts, compressors, generators, pumps, forklifts, and your heavy construction equipment like maintainers and articulating dump trucks will all pay off in the long run by replacing old engines. There is no limit to how many times you are allowed to replace a tier 3 engine.
IndustrialQUIP can source your new Tier 3 replacement engines. We would love the opportunity to perform a cost evaluation of rebuilding your Tier 3 pumps or generators VS buying brand new Tier 4 equipment.
Next Week’s blog. Diesel Particulate Filters. What is regen? What are the risks of operating equipment through the regen process? What happens if you bypass?
This is the South Texas Pump and Power Master, David Nobles. Stay tuned, email me with questions for my next blog. david@industrialquip.com
David M. Nobles_IndustrialQuip_361.444.9484