World Ag Expo to Feature Most Advanced Diesel Agricultural Machinery
Held in Tulare, CA, this week
The latest generation of cleaner, more efficient diesel agricultural machinery will be showcased at the 46th World Ag Expo in Tulare, CA this week, according to Allen Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum.
More than 1,400 exhibitors from 70 countries are participating in the World Ag Expo – the world’s largest annual agricultural exposition - from February 12-14. The Expo is expected to attract more than 100,000 visitors during the three-day event.
The newest and most innovative diesel machinery will be prominent at the Expo, including that from clean diesel technology leaders AGCO, Cummins, Ford, John Deere, Ram Trucks, and Yanmar.
“Diesel powers more than two-thirds of all the machinery on America's farms because of its power, efficiency and reliability,” Schaeffer said. “Farm tractors, combines, balers, irrigation pumps and other equipment are the workhorses in an industry vital to our national economy and quality of life.
“Diesel offers an unmatched range of performance and economic advantages over other forms of power, including better durability, greater energy efficiency, increased engine safety, more low speed torque and suitability for very large applications. Thanks to this combination of attributes, the diesel engine is a mainstay for non-road equipment that serves a variety of industry sectors.
Tier 4 Technology Significantly Reduces Emissions From New Diesel Machinery
The Expo will include some of the newest examples of modern clean diesel technology, Schaeffer said.
Clean diesel technology is now the standard for all new technology - everything from new passenger cars and pick-up trucks to highway commercial trucks. The new generation of technology is another iteration of the clean diesel system: cleaner, ultra-low sulfur diesel fuels; advanced engine controls and combustion improvements coupled with emissions control technology (particulate traps and filters).
“This new generation of clean diesel technology for off-road engines and equipment began making its way onto farm fields, construction and industrial jobsites around the country,” Schaeffer said. “The Tier 4 federal air emissions standards were established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and apply to new diesel engines used in off-road equipment. Essentially it requires manufacturers to reduce the levels of particulate matter and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) to a level that is 50-96 percent lower than existing generation of diesel engines. It is important to note that Tier 4 emissions requirements apply to new products only and do not apply retroactively to any existing machines or equipment.
