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New engines either meet EPA Tier IV initial or final standards.

Tom Bechman 1, Editor, Indiana Prairie Farm

September 4, 2013

2 Min Read

One trend obvious at the Farm Progress Show was that companies are finishing their efforts to comply with the Environmental Protection Agency standards that require reduced emission levels for engines. The deadline is approaching for the final phase – Tier IV. Some companies are releasing new tractors, combines and sprayers with Tier IV initial phase engines. Others are offering these same products with engines that now meet Tier IV final regulations.

Some of the 2014 Lexion combines will use Tier IV initial technology, and others meet Tier IV final standards. It depends upon which engine is in the machine. They use engines from different manufacturers.

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Several companies, including the engine makers that supply engines to Lexion for combines, used a commercial injection system and other methods to reduce emissions as much as possible before going to the final phases. To meet the final phase, most manufacturers to date, if not all, also add a small tank that contains solution that works with other parts to help clean the exhaust and bring emissions within allowable limits set by EPA. The standards were set several years ago, and the phase-in has occurred over time. Farmers are now seeing engines which must use the fluid to get to the final level allowed by EPA.

This trend was evident at the Farm Progress Show. Nearly everyone offering a large tractor, combine or sprayer would mention where the engine fell on the Tier emissions scale. Some reached Tier III without adding exhaust fluid component.

Before you buy a new combine, sprayer or tractor if you're looking for one, you might ask the dealer about where the engine is on compliance, and what you have to do as the owner/operator to keep it in compliance.

About the Author(s)

Tom Bechman 1

Editor, Indiana Prairie Farm

Tom Bechman is an important cog in the Farm Progress machinery. In addition to serving as editor of Indiana Prairie Farmer, Tom is nationally known for his coverage of Midwest agronomy, conservation, no-till farming, farm management, farm safety, high-tech farming and personal property tax relief. His byline appears monthly in many of the 18 state and regional farm magazines published by Farm Progress.

"I consider it my responsibility and opportunity as a farm magazine editor to supply useful information that will help today's farm families survive and thrive," the veteran editor says.

Tom graduated from Whiteland (Ind.) High School, earned his B.S. in animal science and agricultural education from Purdue University in 1975 and an M.S. in dairy nutrition two years later. He first joined the magazine as a field editor in 1981 after four years as a vocational agriculture teacher.

Tom enjoys interacting with farm families, university specialists and industry leaders, gathering and sifting through loads of information available in agriculture today. "Whenever I find a new idea or a new thought that could either improve someone's life or their income, I consider it a personal challenge to discover how to present it in the most useful form, " he says.

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