About Efficient Power

What you need to know about the new emissions regulations

At Case IH, we want to help producers like you better understand what's behind the new emission regulations and how we're addressing them. When it comes to the technology that manufacturers are using to meet these guidelines, you'll find some pretty big differences.

At Case IH, we're working to make sure you are able to farm the way you want, keeping you in the field longer and making you more productive.

WHAT IS SCR?
The CASE IH SOLUTION
MORE ON EFFICIENT POWER

The Emissions Situation

Tier 4 Emission Regulations

The Tier 4 Emissions Regulations established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Canadian Environmental Protection Agency (CEPA) are getting tougher. At Case IH, we’ve spent years preparing for this shift. You see, we believe it's possible for you to increase performance and productivity while also preserving and improving the global environment.

The Emissions Dilemma

Designing a powerful engine that meets stringent emissions standards

Emission requirements may be changing, but you’re dealing with the same production challenges and demands you always have. That’s why you need equipment that will not only to meet the stringent emissions standards, but will also deliver the power and performance you expect.

Diesel Engine Facts

Inside the combustion chamber, Particulate Matter (PM) and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) have conflicting chemical factors.

No diesel engine can be designed to meet both PM and NOx emission standards without the use of an exhaust treatment system.

A Trade Off is Necessary

When the engine is operating most efficiently for power, minimal PM is produced. However the NOx levels are very high.

When exhaust gas is re-circulated back into the intake, the NOx production is reduced. However the higher levels of PM are created.

In either situation, an exhaust after treatment system is needed to reduce the levels of remaining pollutants.

What is PM?

Particulate Matter (PM) is composed of minute particles and pollutants, which pose serious health risks for people and animals

What is NOx?

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) contribute to the cause of acid rain and ground level ozone.

What are the options?

Two technologies meet Tier 4A regulations

Pros & Cons For High Horsepower Agricultural Applications

SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) is a simple system that maximizes engine power and treats exhaust gases with a second fluid to eliminate pollutants.		EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) re-circulates exhaust back into the engine and uses a particulate filter to capture pollutants.
	More power: Engines are tuned for maximum horsepower, without compromising efficiency for emissions, resulting in better performance.		No additional fluid: Does not require Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF).
	Fuel economy: Fine-tuning the combustion process and eliminating exhaust gas recirculation provides substantial improvement in fuel efficiency.		Larger Engine Cooling Package: Re-circulating 25-30% hot exhaust gas in the engine has a major impact on the cooling system, particularly on large engines under high-duty cycles.
	Reliability/Durability: Greater durability, increased reliability and lengthened service intervals are all achieved by eliminating the recirculation of exhaust gas contaminants back into the engine.		Hot Exhaust Temperatures: During required particulate filter regeneration, exhaust temps can reach up to 1292°F, which is nearly twice the normal operating exhaust temperature.
	Additional fluid: Requires the use Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF).		Increased Maintenance Cost: Oil change frequency increases due to higher levels of exhaust gas recirculation.

Case IH Tier 4A Engine Solutions

The right answer is never one size fits all.

Engines > 100 HP = SCR

Case IH uses Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology for engines with greater than 100 hp, as it provides an enhanced solution for high horsepower agricultural applications:

The power demands of agricultural applications often require engines to operate consistently at 100% load. The cooler temperatures of SCR are better suited for these demanding situations.
Producers operate their equipment in harsh environments where re-circulating dirty exhaust back into the engine could result in premature engine malfunction.
High horsepower agricultural applications consume high rates of fuel, so improved fuel efficiency improves your bottom line.

Engines < 100 HP = EGR

Case IH will utilize EGR technology for engines with less than 100 hp, as it provides an acceptable solution for light to medium agricultural applications:

Less stringent emission standards for less than 100 hp engines allows smaller EGR components to meet all Tier 4A requirements.
Smaller engines use less fuel. Therefore, fuel efficiency has less of an overall impact.

Case IH FPT Engines

Efficient power that's ready when you are.

For over 160 years, everything we’ve done has been influenced by our experiences in the field as well as from the input of our customers, through our customer-driven design process. And by partnering with FPT Powertrain Technologies, a global company that makes over 2.6 million engines every year, we are taking our business to the next level. FPT has making SCR engines for worldwide markets since 2006. Our engine development and testing is conducted at our R&D center in Burr Ridge, IL.

DEF Defined

Save over 2 gallons of diesel for every gallon of DEF

What is Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)?

A stable, non-toxic solution that is a combination of synthetic urea and de-ionized water
Has a long shelf life of up to 2 years when stored at temperatures between 12°F and 90°F
Freezing and thawing does not change chemical properties
Diesel Exhaust Fluid is classified as “minimum risk” by the EPA
Easy to transport…comes in 2.5- gallon, 55-gallon drum, 275- or 330-gallon tote, or bulk size containers

Diesel Exhaust Fluid allows us to eliminate exhaust gas re-circulation which results in increased fuel efficiency and savings.

You choose the fuel…the engine can still run on all diesel varieties and grades.

How Does It Work?

The Case IH maintenance-free SCR System monitors emissions so all you have to do is add DEF fluid to the tank.

10 Reasons Why SCR is the Right Choice

Industry-leading engineers concur that all manufacturers will need to use SCR to meet the even more stringent Tier 4B standards beginning in 2014. While there are other interim solutions, Case IH believes SCR is the most efficient way to meet EPA standards for agricultural applications.

Lower fuel consumption: The efficiency of the combustion process and smaller engine displacement, combined with greater horse power, optimizes fuel consumption.
Outstanding performance: Since SCR is an after-treatment system, the engine is designed to maximize torque and power with faster response in the field.
Longer service interval: The optimized combustion process preserves oil’s physical properties, reducing maintenance activities and related downtime.
High reliability: SCR system allows the engine to reduce heat rejection of many internal engine components, leading to better reliability.
Unbeatable durability: The reduction of PM inside the engine eliminates clogging problems and the need for regeneration often required with EGR.
Compact packaging: SCR systems are more thermodynamically efficient than Tier 3/Stage IIIA engines. This allows for greater horsepower from smaller engines.
Wide fuel compatibility: SCR systems work regardless of fuel quality and are not influenced by the presence of traditional pollutant substances in the fuel. No part of Tier 4 particulate control involves the use of ultra-low sulfur diesel.
User-friendly solution: SCR systems are simple. The only thing you have to do is refill the DEF at regular fuel intervals.
Environmental care: Pollutants produced during the combustion process are converted into harmless N2 and H2O, already present in the environment.
Advanced technology: SCR is recognized by many engine manufacturers as the technology of the future to be compliant with Tier 4 final/Stage IV.

SCR FAQs

Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about Tier 4A emission regulations and our Efficient Power solution.

Why did Case IH decide to offer two Tier 4 technologies?
EGR is the best solution for customers with small, light-duty engines, where space is a real constraint and engine size wouldn’t make relevant fuel savings. By providing more power and better fuel economy, SCR is the best solution for medium and heavy-duty diesel engines.

What does Case IH SCR system include?
A DEF tank; DEF supply module to move DEF from the tank to the injection; an injector that meters DEF into the exhaust system; an SCR chamber/muffler where DEF mixes with exhaust gas and reacts to form nitrogen vapor and water vapor; and a NOx sensor to measure the amount of NOx leaving the SCR chamber.

What’s DEF?
Diesel Exhaust Fluid is 32.5 percent automotive grade urea and de-ionized water. DEF helps convert NOx into harmless water vapor and nitrogen vapor.

What does it take to keep my SCR system running?
Refill the DEF tank during regular refueling—each refill lasts through two tanks of fuel—or when you’re checking fluid levels. While farmers are used to keeping tanks full, a warning light also will signal that your DEF tank is running low.

Do I need to upgrade my Case IH Tier 3 tractor?
No. All tractors manufactured before the Tier 4 transition are exempt from new EPA/EU Tier 4 regulations. A Case IH Tier 3 engine can’t be converted to a Tier 4 SCR system.

Where can I buy DEF?
Case IH dealers will stock DEF in four container sizes: a 2.5 gallon sealed container with a built in dispenser attachment, a 55-gallon drum that require the use of a transfer pump, and a 275-gallon or 330-gallon totes, which also requires the use of a transfer pump. DEF is also available in bulk and can be ordered separately though your Case IH dealer.

Will DEF freeze?
DEF in tractors or storage containers will freeze in temperatures under 12oF (-11oC). But Case IH tractor customers do not need to worry about low temperatures affecting the DEF. The Case IH DEF tank has an automatic heater to bring the DEF to the optimal operating temperature. Start-up does not rely on the DEF system, so you will not experience any delays on cold winter mornings. Not to mention, freezing and thawing will not change the chemical properties of the DEF.

What is the shelf life of DEF?
DEF’s alkalinity is comparable to that of baking soda, and is slightly corrosive. For this reason, it should be stored in approved containers, such as plastic or stainless steel. DEF has a shelf life of 6-12 months. While DEF is ideally stored between 12oF (-11oC) and 86oF (30oC), it can be stored outdoors as long as you rotate it seasonally.

Will mud and debris affect SCR?
No. Unlike EGR, which uses an easy to plug particulate filter, the Case IH SCR system is designed to meet the demands of rugged agriculture and heavy construction applications.

How much DEF will my Case IH tractor use?
The consumption rate of DEF will vary depending on engine load, but in typical agricultural applications ranges between three to five percent of diesel fuel consumption. Depending on engine load and implement size, a high-horsepower MDF tractor consuming 10 gallons-per-hour and working 400 hours per year would typically utilize 100 to 200 gallons per year. In the new generation of Case IH tractors, it's estimated that for every gallon of DEF utilized, you save TWO gallons of diesel fuel - thanks to the enhanced fuel economy allowed by the DEF-enabled Case IH SCR technology.

Where is the DEF stored on the tractor?
DEF is stored in a dedicated tank on the tractor next to the fuel tank. The DEF tank on a Case IH tractor has a capacity such that it needs to be filled every secondary fuel fill. DEF tanks range in size from 15 to 50 gallons depending on the tractor size and horsepower. The DEF tank fill opening is designed to accommodate only a DEF fill nozzle, which ensures that only DEF is pumped into the DEF tank. Standard diesel fuel nozzles do not fit into the DEF tank opening.

How do I know if my DEF tank needs filling?
On Case IH tractors, the A-post instrument cluster has a DEF level gauge, which shows the fluid level and indicates when it is time to refill. If the DEF tank fluid level becomes low, a series of warnings alerts the operator after DEF reaches less than 10% of capacity. If the DEF tank reaches less than 5%, the tractor engine power will de-rate, but power is still available to allow the operator to return to a convenient location to add DEF to the tank. Because Case IH tractors are designed so that the DEF tank needs to be filled very other diesel fuel fill, the DEF level can be easily managed by simply filling DEF during diesel fuel fills.