Cummins Inc has started production of 6-cylinder engines certified to meet US EPA Tier 4 Final regulations, equivalent standards in Canada and Stage IV in Europe. Engine production across a broad 142-503 kW output will increase during the course of the year as off-highway equipment manufacturers release machines ready to meet the near-zero emissions standards, that took effect on January 1, 2014. This latest generation of 6.7 to 15 litre Cummins engines will be featured in a wide range of Tier 4 Final construction machines, material handling equipment, power packs and cranes set to debut at CONEXPO 2014, being attended by IM and taking place from March 4-8 in Las Vegas.

The Tier 4 Final engines provide the ability to transform machine performance, not just with ultra-clean operation, but with faster cycle times for increased productivity and reduced fuel use for lower operating costs. “CONEXPO takes place at an ideal time to showcase our Tier 4 Final technology with the capability to significantly enhance the performance of equipment,” said Hugh Foden, Executive Director – Cummins Off-Highway Business. “By making an early start with Tier 4 Final development, we were able to undertake our largest-ever field test and OEM installation program, extending to more than 70 machines operating under the most demanding duty cycles and challenging geographies, including high altitude, high humidity, extreme heat and cold. As a result, our field testing has validated that the Tier 4 Final engines achieve the same impressive levels of uptime availability and reliability as experienced by users of our proven Tier 4 Interim and Tier 3 engines.”

Production of the QSB6.7 and QSL9 engines takes place at the Rocky Mount plant in the United States and at the Darlington plant in the UK, together with the Oyama plant in Japan. The QSX15 engine is built at the Jamestown plant in the US. The early production version of the all-new QSG12 engine is available for OEM installation work. Field test work is underway for the Cummins 4-cylinder engine range, with production of the QSF3.8 and QSB4.5 on schedule for January 2015, aligning with the emissions effect date for engines rated 56 -129 kW. During 2014, production volumes of the compact QSF2.8 will ramp up to meet the need for applications below 56 kW.