After much anticipation in the market, John Deere today announced that it will add a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) to its tractor engines to meet EPA’s Final Tier 4 emissions standards. The standards require an 80% reduction in nitrogen oxides over previous engine technologies.  John Deere will use Selective Catalytic Reduction technology, the same technology that AGCO, Case IH, and New Holland are using now to meet the regulations.

SCR requires tractor owners to add DEF, a fluid blend of urea, while filling up with fuel. The fluid is sprayed into the exhaust to neutralize noxious gases linked to smog and health problems.

Deere’s Integrated Emissions Control system will consist of a diesel oxidation catalytic (DOC) , diesel particulate filter (DPF), and a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system. Deere says its new engines will use less DEF than competitive tractors, resulting in a significant cost savings for farmers.

DEF costs about the same per gallon as diesel fuel. While this means an added cost to growers, John Deere says the engines will perform better, be more durable, and have even better fuel efficiency than its current engine offerings.  

The Final Tier 4 rules will affect high-horsepower tractors, combines, sprayers and other self-propelled vehicles used in farming. The engines will be ready for launch by the final Tier 4 deadline of 2013 for engines 74 hp and below and 2014-2015 for engines 75 hp and above.

John Deere says the SCR system will be integrated in its current engine platform, which uses emissions technology called Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) technology. EGR provided its customers with three more years of a single-fluid solution, Deere says.

Engines will operate with traditional ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel as well as biodiesel 5 to 20 percent (B5-B20) blends to give farmers a choice in fuel types.

For more information about John Deere’s Final Tier 4 engine technology, go to www.JohnDeere.com/tier4.