Tier 4 / Stage IV... the next step

1. What is Tier4 / Stage IV?
Tier 4 (US) / Stage IV (EU) is the final step of the emission reduction program launched in 1996 for all road equipment. This emission reduction program requires engine manufacturers to reduce the levels of: 1. Particulate Matter (PM) and 2. Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) to a level that is 50-96 percent lower than the emissions of our current diesel engines (Tier3 / Stage IIIA)

In most cases the use of Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs), and higher levels of Exhaust Gas Ratio (EGR) is required to achieve this.

This regulation applies to new products only and does not apply retrospectively to any existing equipment.

To facilitate the introduction of this new regulation it has been phased between 1996 and 2014 as follows

 
All off-road vehicles (AWP, Telehandlers) are subject to these regulations. The types of engines that are used in Haulotte AWP, Telehandlers and Earth moving equipment are therefore affected
 
2. What are the Diesel Engine Regulation Power steps?

3. Do the new engines change equipment characteristics?
New technology
These new engines will use technology already developed for car and truck industry during the past 15 years, involving common rail injection system and catalyst exhaust system. The new technology included in the engine will bring more electronic control. The smart use of additional engine intelligence will increase the working comfort and give enhanced service capability ( data exchange…), and decrease noise and energy consumption.
New Fuel
New generation engines and equipment will require the use of Ultra-Low Sulphur Diesel Fuel (ULSD), in accordance with EN590 or/and ASTM D975 - 91 Class 2D, which has no more than 10-20 ppm sulphur. New TIER IV Interim / Stage IIIB engine will not be compatible with the current fuel (2000ppm), otherwise engines will be damaged.
New Oil
Tier 4 Interim / Stage IIIB engines need to use new lube oil formulations to reduce ash build-up inside the DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter). This new Oil will be a Low Sulphur too and is compatible with Tier 3 / Stage III and Tier 2 / Stage II engines.
New performance
All engines manufacturers are working to produce engines that are not only lower in emissions but also ones that maintain or increase previous engine performance such as cold-weather starting, transient response time, power bulge, peak torque and low speed torque allowing Haulotte Group product to have the same performances.

4. How will new engines affect the price of the machine?
All of this new technology doesn’t come cheap. Tier 4 / Stage IV technology would increase the cost of an off-road machine.

5. Once the Tier 4 Interim / Stage IIIB come on the market, can I still order a Tier3 /Stage IIIA engine?
Inventories of engines and equipment from previous generation technology can be sold until the inventory is depleted. Contact the Haulotte subsidiary looking after your area.

6. What is the next phase?
After NOx and PM will have been reduced to near zero by then, what’s left?
We expect that off road equipment regulation will follow, on road regulation, with more stringent limits and CO2 emission regulation but there is no legislation in place at the moment for this

7. Would it be possible to transfer machines from different countries?
Transferring a Tier 4 interim/Stage IIIB machine to a low regulated country is allowed but every precaution to use the new fuel (according to EN590 or ASTM D975) and the new oil should be taken to avoid reducing the engine life and to ensure engine components are not damaged

Transferring a Tier 3/Stage IIIA machine to a regulated country will be forbidden.

8. Are there specific regulations for city centres?
For the moment, there is no official communication on this from European governments.
However, Haulotte will offer an option to meet this need.