Tier 4

[Utopia Texas]

One thing that I haven't seen discussed in this thread is emissions affects to the operator. I've owned a diesel tractor for over 15 years and use it regularly. I have never enjoyed the smell of diesel particulates, and after busing the tractor for many hors, I ocassionally get a headache. Can any of the owners of the tier 4 machines tell me if the operator will notice less diesel smell? If so, I will buy one for this reason alone.

My current two tractors exhaust in different directions and over the years I have had no trouble with exhaust fumes. The Tiny Ford 1215 I bought back in 1996 shoots the exhaust forward and has NO emission controls at all. The NH T4.75 shoots the exhaust straight up at a level of 10 feet above the ground and has the Tier 4 final emissions. It burns so clean one could stick their face in the exhaust channel and not smell one thing.

On the topic of sound level.....I have had poor hearing since childhood and have always been **** about hearing protection so I do not loose any more of my hearing. I always wear hearing muffs when driving a tractor or using anything with a motor including chain saws, lawn mowers etc. Poor hearing sucks....

 

[AxleHub]

My current two tractors exhaust in different directions and over the years I have had no trouble with exhaust fumes. The Tiny Ford 1215 I bought back in 1996 shoots the exhaust forward and has NO emission controls at all. The NH T4.75 shoots the exhaust straight up at a level of 10 feet above the ground and has the Tier 4 final emissions. It burns so clean one could stick their face in the exhaust channel and not smell one thing.

On the topic of sound level.....I have had poor hearing since childhood and have always been **** about hearing protection so I do not loose any more of my hearing. I always wear hearing muffs when driving a tractor or using anything with a motor including chain saws, lawn mowers etc. Poor hearing sucks....

In my process of buying a Tier 4 scut this year (Massey GC1715) . . I used a reasoning almost opposite of those who wanted to hurry and get the Tier 3 scut products. In a 25hp category . . Tier 4 has no expensive components to maintensnce yet it does reduce fumes and smell isdues. Add to that certain models and brands push air forward in the engine compartment instead of pulling backward toward tbe operstor . . you further reduce exposure.

I was concerned that Tier 4 requirements on the 26hp and below might change or vendors not yet Tier 4 might create changes less desirable . . so I made the move this year. A scut is just a little guy in the Tier 4 world . . but for me it was the safest Tier 4 decision . . clean running and efticient for its size.

 

[Clipse3GT]

In my process of buying a Tier 4 scut this year (Massey GC1715) . . I used a reasoning almost opposite of those who wanted to hurry and get the Tier 3 scut products. In a 25hp category . . Tier 4 has no expensive components to maintensnce yet it does reduce fumes and smell isdues. Add to that certain models and brands push air forward in the engine compartment instead of pulling backward toward tbe operstor . . you further reduce exposure.

I was concerned that Tier 4 requirements on the 26hp and below might change or vendors not yet Tier 4 might create changes less desirable . . so I made the move this year. A scut is just a little guy in the Tier 4 world . . but for me it was the safest Tier 4 decision . . clean running and efticient for its size.

I assume that the Iseki 1.1L 25 hp Tier 4 units have some sort of soot control in the muffler design itself also leaner injection setting (thus you get a bit less power) I also assume if you wanted a temporary bump in power you would need to remove the metal plugs on the high speed governor as well as the fuel injection pump adjustment. Increase the RPM and diesel amount injected, remove the OEM muffler and fab a custom pipe in its location and install a Pyrometer in the exhaust manifold to monitor exhaust temps and you could get one of these little tractors to 28-29 hp and increased torque. Perhaps a project after the 5 year warranty is up...

However, I think these tractors have plenty of power for their small size and you would really not gain much due to lose of traction. However, running a MID/Rear PTO implement you would gain some power there to PTO driven attachments even more efficiently. Yet, as the moto goes, no replacement for displacement or a turbo .

The one really nice thing is working on the Tier 4 is that there is hardly any soot / diesel smell while working on it for a while.

 

[whizdbiz2]

I was concerned that Tier 4 requirements on the 26hp and below might change or vendors not yet Tier 4 might create changes less desirable . . so I made the move this year. A scut is just a little guy in the Tier 4 world . . but for me it was the safest Tier 4 decision . . clean running and efticient for its size.

My small Mahindra is Tier 4 compliant with no regular maintenance required to the emissions. Just puts out a puff of smoke at start up, no diesel smell otherwise. Was a bit concerned too until I looked into it.

 

[buickanddeere]

Just dropping the sulphur content down to 15ppm has probably been the single most effect reduction of stink.

 

[mikes1165]

I've got a Kubota L3901 with the tier 4 final and there is no smoke at all and some smell but it is different than the old diesel smell. I've also got a 1984 Mitsubishi 30hp that smokes and smells like the old diesels did. No comparison. Lower smell no smoke.

 

[Snowback]

This Tier 4 issue was one of the many driving forces/factors that kept me in the Mahindra family while tractor shopping last month. Our 2012 Max 25 has no DPF, DEF, regen, exhaust maintenance etc... Neither does our new Mahindra 2538. The mCRD technology with a diesel oxidation catalyst keeps things simple in my mind and that was important to me.

Quick mCRD primer here: Introducing our Tier IV "mCRD Technology" | Mahindra

Here is a video that explains the various methods to be compliant. (No brand bashing intended, just sharing what I learned.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4lYYK45f4s

Are there any other brands that have figured out this kind of workaround? I had been looking at Kubota, Branson, and Kioti as well which are all very fine tractors, but the regen and/or future filter liability just went on the "con" list when comparing and deciding. Not a deal breaker, but certainly not a positive in my mind. I was told by dealers it was not cheap to replace a filter on the other brands. Maybe it would be a rare occurrence, but the dealers were not able to explain precisely when the filter would need to be replaced. Still some learning curve there it seems. I'll bet most big brands will be able to get their entire lineups off the DPF/DEF/Regen crutch before too long.

Stay safe all!

 

[AxleHub]

Snowback, the video mentions the mcrd system is on 33 hp to 75 hp models. But what about the 26 to 32 hp grouping ?

 

[truckdiagnostics]

Oh boy, this may get me in trouble but here goes. It may prove to be better to have the DPF/SCR than the "work around" The "work around" is expensive to repair. Once you have it there is no way that I am aware of to get rid of it. The DPF/SCR that you might be able to get rid of. So, those of you that have or are going to make a decision.... stop over thinking it?.... Me I gave up kept my old stuff, not sure how wise that was, prone to failures and the "work around" is all that is left. Newer used costs a fortune. So, waiting is not such a god idea, tier v is out there, yes you heard correct.
Beyond Tier 4 Engine... | New Tractors | Agriculture

 

[AxleHub]

Truckdiagnostics

Thats why I wanted to get a tier 4 scut now . . Because I was concerned they would start implementing enhanced tier 4 requirements for scuts that required much more complexity. Over the road truckers have a big pile of ongoing costs for their isdues that were enacted in the 2003 ?? Time frames and more keeps getting added for them.

I think it's interesting that our Coop supplier of home heating oil uses the SAME ultra low sulphur oil for home heating that can be highway ultra low sulphur also ( without winterizers of coyrse) same 15 ppm.