Improving America's Infrastructure with the Most Advanced and Cleanest Equipment

WASHINGTON, May 18, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This week, hundreds of organizations are honoring the past accomplishments and future growth of America's national infrastructure during Infrastructure Week and National Public Works Week.  With diesel equipment serving as the overwhelming power source for past and future infrastructure growth, Diesel Technology Form Executive Director Allen Schaeffer issued the following statement about how construction and off-road equipment is now cleaner and more efficient than ever before.

"Emissions from New Clean Diesel Equipment Have Been Reduced to Near Zero Levels"
"Infrastructure is the back bone of the U.S. economy and our global competitiveness, and it's vital we start reinvesting in its future.  It's been over 40 years since most portions of the Interstate Highways System were completed.  Since then the materials and methods for safe road building and design have advanced by leaps and bounds.

"But one of the biggest advancements comes from the new generation of construction machines and equipment that do the work.  Emissions from mission-critical new clean diesel equipment have now been reduced to near zero levels which is providing major environmental benefits throughout the country.

"The end result is that these technologies enable infrastructure projects to be built faster, using less fuel, and generating a fraction of the emissions from even a decade ago.  And this is especially important to the people living and working in the communities around these job sites.

Tier 4 Engines Are the Cleanest in History
"From bulldozers, to excavators and motor graders, the latest generation of clean diesel technologies that meet Tier 4 emissions standards can now build and improve our infrastructure while also significantly reducing emissions at work sites.  These Tier 4 compliant engines reflect the most recent emissions standards for off-road equipment established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for equipment manufactured since 2014. 

"Depending on the horsepower range, emissions of particulate matter (soot) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) have been reduced by more than 90 percent.

"Whether we're talking about moving massive amounts of dirt, milling pavement, pouring concrete, trenching for cables, or laying pipe for new clean water systems, or massive cranes used for building bridges, the jobs all come back to diesel power.

"Manufacturers have taken efficiency, fuel savings and lower emissions well beyond the design of the engine to include efficiency improvement in the overall machine.  Advanced engine designs, hybrid capabilities and energy storage technologies, and even advanced telematics systems, GPS and integrated work site control systems are now deployed in new equipment and combine to yield substantial fuel savings and emission reductions.

"The adoption of ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel in 2006 set in motion the path to clean diesel technology, and increasingly in the future the use of biodiesel and renewable diesel fuels will provide additional options for lowering emissions and reducing carbon footprints."

Examples of the latest technologies integrated into new Tier 4 engine and equipment include:

• Caterpillar D7E Hybrid Bulldozer:  Since the introduction of the D7E dozer, users worldwide have saved millions of liters/gallons of diesel fuel and reduced overall emissions compared to the D7R2.  The D7E features an innovative diesel-electric power train that saves money by getting more work done while using significantly less fuel.  Electric drive provides the power needed for dozing, along with smoother operation and agile maneuverability suited to a wide variety of applications.
• Deere Hybrid Wheel Loader:  The 644K Hybrid Loader includes a hybrid-electric powertrain with reduced mechanical complexity and for efficient stockpiling, ramp climbing, and truck loading.  It consumes an average of 25 percent less fuel than the conventional 644K Loader with lockup torque converter.
• Volvo Hybrid Wheel Loader:  The benefits of this hybrid loader include more power, lower revs, less idling and less fuel.  By combining diesel power with electric torque, the electric motor supports the diesel engine at start-up, acceleration and during breakout which saves up to 10 percent of fuel along with increasing productivity.
• Cummins QSL9:  The Cummins-manufactured emissions aftertreatment system integrates with the engine and exhaust system to optimize fuel economy above the five percent already achieved with the Tier 4 Interim engines.  This integration results in the QSL9 achieving near-zero emissions.

Connect with the Diesel Technology Forum
For the latest insights and information from the leaders in clean diesel technology, join us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @DieselTechForum, or YouTube @DieselTechForum and connect with us on LinkedIn.  Get it all by subscribing to our newsletter Diesel Direct for a weekly wrap-up of clean diesel news, policy analysis and more direct to your inbox.

ABOUT THE DIESEL TECHNOLOGY FORUM
The Diesel Technology Forum is a non-profit national organization dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of diesel engines, fuel and technology. Forum members are leaders in clean diesel technology and represent the three key elements of the modern clean-diesel system: advanced engines, vehicles and equipment, cleaner diesel fuel and emissions-control systems. For more information visit www.dieselforum.org.

Contact:
Steve Hansen
[email protected]
301-668-7230 (o)
202-355-3664 (c)

(View this press release online here.)

Available Topic Expert: For information on the listed expert, click appropriate link.
Allen Schaeffer
ProfNet - http://www.profnetconnect.com/Schaeffer

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120201/MM46474LOGO

SOURCE Diesel Technology Forum