Caterpillar outlines Tier 4 engine strategy for lesser regulated countries

395 Caterpillar has outlined its strategy for customers in lesser regulated countries selling and buying used Tier 4 Interim products for operation in those countries, where prevailing fuel quality and fuel sulphur content vary widely. Based on extensive testing, analysis and field validation, the company has determined that Cat Tier 4 Interim engine systems between 130kW-895kW (7-32litre engines) will not require any modification to operate in lesser regulated countries.

For Cat Tier 4 Interim engines less than 130kW, Caterpillar will offer authorised modification processes that remove after-treatment from machine and commercial engine configurations to enable operation in lesser regulated countries.

Modification processes, which include decertification, will be made available to customers in lesser regulated countries exclusively through their local Cat dealer.

Caterpillar anticipates both the modified <130kW engine systems and unmodified 130-895kW engine systems will meet used equipment customer expectations for operation in the vast majority of potential lesser regulated export destinations.

“Tier 4 used equipment migration is a complex issue,” says Ramin Younessi, vice president, Industrial Power Systems Division. “Because Caterpillar serves customers in all markets, we develop products to meet the needs of customers in all types of regulatory environments. For example, all non-road equipment operated in the US, Canada, Europe and Japan must operate on ultra-low sulphur diesel fuel.

“When equipment developed for certain markets, like our Tier 4 equipment, moves to different markets, it adds challenges for Caterpillar, our dealers and our customers. Challenges arise due to diverse emissions regulations, the need for dealer readiness training and the need to help customers understand how to operate and maintain these next generation products.

“Most importantly, customers contemplating the purchase or modification of used Cat Tier 4 products need to understand and comply with their local regulatory requirements.”

Beginning with Cat dealers in locations Caterpillar has identified as higher probability recipients of used Tier 4 equipment, the company is preparing dealers to support the migration of used equipment to lesser regulated countries.

Volvo Construction Equipment has said Tier 4i/Stage IIIb engine conversion kits will be available for Volvo machines.

Volvo Construction Equipment’s Tier 4i/Stage IIIb conversion kit allows Volvo customers to resell their machines outside the US and EU. From the second quarter of 2014 3573 Volvo CE customers will be able to have their Tier 4i/Stage IIIb machines fitted with a special engine conversion kit, enabling Volvo owners to sell their used machines on to countries where high-sulphur fuels are still used.

The conversion protects the Volvo engines against high sulphur levels, while still meeting Volvo internal design standards. “We know that some of our customers export their used machines to countries outside of the US or EU and must operate on a different type of fuel. We want to assure customers that there will still be a market for Tier 4i/Stage IIIb-compliant machines abroad,” says Alan Berger, vice president Product Platforms. Used without the conversion kit, Volvo’s Tier 4i/Stage IIIb engines would not operate correctly due to the high-sulphur fuel used in many non-regulated countries. The conversion kit, however, facilitates the reliability of a machine after export.