DEF fluid in heavy equipment !!

[sparkycuda]

I'm a technical instructor for the Komatsu distributor in Kentucky and Indiana. Tier 4 Final (with DPF and DEF) has been standard on most new machines for over a year. Actually, we have found the Final versions to be less troublesome than the Interim engines. BUT, customer acceptance and willingness to learn the newly-required maintenance and upkeep continues to be a real headache. Some operators keep pushing the "Delay Regeneration" button until the DPF is so clogged it can't regen. They think if they ignore it, it will go away.

Shoe-horning all the "stuff" under the hood of loaders, excavators, trucks, dozers, graders, etc., reminds me of what we do with our models. Some machines have gotten bigger hoods just to get everything inside.

It's here, and we are stuck with it! I heard Europe is considering a Tier 5 engine and the US wants to reduce diesel fuel consumption. Estimates are $12,000 to $15,000 more per engine to get where the Feds want to go.

Have a great day!

Ken