...reduced NOx levels required by the Tier 4 Final standard coming in 2014, some indicated that, at this point, the use of urea, along with a particulate filter, appears to be likely. “Using SCR and a particulate filter is the sure way to meet the Tier 4 Final standards,” says Graham Weller, diesel-product group director for engine consultant Ricardo Inc.

The Cost of Cleaner Air

The challenge of developing technology to satisfy EPA’s Tier 4 standards sits on the shoulders of the manufacturers, but the burden of paying a higher initial purchase price for the new technology will fall to construction equipment buyers.

Manufacturers have invested millions—in some cases, billions—of dollars developing the new technology. That cost will be passed on in the selling price. Many manufacturers acknowledge that initial equipment prices will go up over current Tier 3 models. But, to date, only Caterpillar has announced a specific level of increase: The company says it has spent $7.5 billion over the past six years developing products that will run more cleanly and productively. Its Tier 4 Interim equipment prices will go up 12% over the three years, starting with a 4% increase this coming January.

Although initial purchase prices will be higher than for current machines, several manufacturers say they expect their Tier 4 equipment to cost contractors less to own over the life of the machine, thanks to lower fuel costs, higher productivity and longer life.

“As we redesign equipment to meet Tier 4 requirements, we’re taking the opportunity to see what we can change for the better,” says Michael Unrein, senior director of product marketing for Case/New Holland. “We expect the total cost of ownership to be better with Tier 4 products.”

Many manufacturers say they expect fuel economy to go up by 5% or more thanks to the efficiency of the new engines. Cummins’ 20,000 hours of testing on its new engines has verified that its Tier 4 diesel get 5% better fuel economy, says spokesman Clint Schroer.

Although manufacturers talk about the productivity and technological advances of their new Tier 4-compliant equipment models, fleet owners still have questions.Nick Pfeifer, project manager for Granite Construction, voiced the same question many other contractors have asked: “What’s it going to take to maintain and operate it?”

In general, manufacturers tell ENR that maintenance intervals will be similar to those for existing equipment. John Bartz, emission solutions manager for Volvo, says, “Intervals for engine service remain the same. The engine oil will be different, but it will be a standard grade and backward compatible to existing machines.” The diesel particulate filter will need to be changed periodically as it fills with ash, suppliers note. The cleaning will have to be done by a certified dealer. Some manufacturers say they are setting up recycling programs to make it more convenient for equipment owners.

One maintenance item that is drawing concern from off-road equipment owners is the SCR system that some manufacturers plan to use for reducing NOx emissions. Although it’s now widely used in on-road heavy trucks, the urea-based SCR is entirely new to off-road equipment. Thad Pirtle, equipment chief at contractor Traylor Brothers, Evansville, Ind., says he would rather not see urea on his equipment because it’s another system to maintain. It may have other side effects: “It freezes at 27 degrees,” he says.

Unlike today’s truckers, who are becoming widely familiar with SCR, it is still unknown territory for the off-road sector. However, manufacturers are confident in the technology. “It’s effective—the right technology at the right time. All but one on-highway truck manufacturer are using it to meet the 2010 on-road standard. By 2014 when Tier 4 Final arrives, perceptions will have changed,” says Joe Mastanduno, a Deere product marketing manager, who says the Moline, Ill.-based vendor will use SCR for Tier 4 Final.

Some equipment owners wonder whether their Tier 3 and earlier equipment can be upgraded to Tier 4 standards...