Rod Sutton, Editorial Director
CB uses in-cylinder technologies alone to attain Tier 4-Interim certification for its Ecomax engines. The powerplants require no external aftertreatment devices or diesel particulate filters (DPF).
With the technology, JCB dealers are able to recalibrate the engines for use in areas of the world where regulations are less than Tier 4-I and allow the use of higher sulphur content fuels. Although this does not directly apply to North America, it does give some fleet managers an option when the time comes for disposing of JCB machines when the first-use life is expended.
“By recalibrating the Ecomax engine, turning off the exhaust gas recirculation and reducing fuel injection pressures, it is possible for the engine to be run on higher sulphur content fuels,” says Alan Tolley, director of engine programs. “This process can be carried out by any of our 2,000 JCB dealers around the world using standard JCB service tools, offering a flexible, straightforward solution for our customers on the used equipment market.”
JCB uses a proprietary combustion process design (patent pending) that brings together ultra-high injection pressures of 29,000 psi in the common rail system, with variable geometry turbocharging for rapid response at low rpm. Cooled exhaust gas recirculation is used to further reduce emissions, passing a small amount of the exhaust gas back through the engine to cool the combustion process and reduce nitrogen oxides within the cylinder.
The UK-based manufacturer is vertically integrated, and it has spent approximately $125 million and 110,000 hours of testing to design and develop the Ecomax range. The engine will be fitted into machines in the 74- to 173-horsepower range, including backhoe loaders, telehandlers, wheel loaders, excavators, rough terrain forklifts, and skid steer loaders.
Since Tier 4-I engines require ultra low sulfur diesel, fuel cleanliness is a key consideration for fleet managers. JCB has upgraded fuel and air filters for the Ecomax line, and the engines require a 5-micron water separator and fuel filter for the fuel supply line to supplement the 2-micron engine filter. A crankcase ventilation filter must also be use, with a 1,500-hour change interval.
JCB says its engines will run on standard engine oils instead of the newly formulated CJ4 oil required for diesels with aftertreatment devices.
Electronic controls on the engines are fully integrated into the company’s telematics package, LiveLink. The system provides improved diagnostics, fuel economy and work related data, such as fuel economy in different working modes, JCB says. JCB also offers ECU pairing, whereby a machine’s electronic control unit can be paired with the LiveLink ECU. If the LiveLink unit is removed or disabled, the engine’s ECU will immobilize the machine.
