Compact Tractor Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) Version 2.0

[powersrp]

actually it will tell me its time to get the drill bits out.

 

[jeff9366]

Tier IV emission standards require tractor manufacturers to add or revise pollution reduction technology on new tractors generating over 19 kW power = 25.4794 horsepower. Tier IV began phasing in during 2009, retail conversion was almost complete in 2013 when I bought my 'Tier IV' Kubota L3560. Old news in 2020.

Compact tractors used in residential applications such as lawn mowing, gardening and landscaping average sixty (60) engine hours of use per year. Tier IV tractors regenerate about once every sixty engine hours.

That is ONE regeneration per YEAR. Regeneration takes about sixteen minutes.

The earth is not flat. The sky has not fallen. New tractor sales continue apace.

If you decide on a pre Tier IV tractor it will have to be pre-2013.

I for one appreciate today's cleaner burning diesel engines.

 

[jeff9366]

Tier IV emission standards require tractor manufacturers to add or revise pollution reduction technology on new tractors generating over 19 kW power = 25.4794 horsepower. Tier 4 sets the limits but does not say how to reach them.

 

[jeff9366]

I opted for the Kubota L2501 over the L3301 based on simplicity. The L2501 has no computer and no diesel particulate filter. It is probably as simple as a tractor gets today.

However, in the interest of full disclosure, the simple L2501, designed to skirt Tier IV emissions requirements, (legally) spews a lot of diesel particulates. According to those more knowledgeable than I on emissions, the L3301 with a Tier IV diesel particulate filter/incinerator spews less than 1% of the pollution load of an L2501 with a traditional, low-tech muffler.

 

[ptsg]

I opted for the Kubota L2501 over the L3301 based on simplicity. The L2501 has no computer and no diesel particulate filter. It is probably as simple as a tractor gets today.

However, in the interest of full disclosure, the simple L2501, designed to skirt Tier IV emissions requirements, (legally) spews a lot of diesel particulates. According to those more knowledgeable than I on emissions, the L3301 with a Tier IV diesel particulate filter/incinerator spews less than 1% of the pollution load of an L2501 with a traditional, low-tech muffler.

25HP and under tractors are not designed to skirt Tier IV emissions requirements. They still need to meet the emission requirements, although the emissions requirements for 25hp and less are much more forgiving and manufacturers can get away with it by simply playing with fuel and timing without having the need to add a DPF and all sorts of non sense.

 

[Bearsixty7]

I for one appreciate today's cleaner burning diesel engines.

I don't think anyone WANTS a less clean burning engine.
But what we don't want is systems/components/sensors that are prone to fail and that basically puts a tractor or vehicle in a limp mode or worse, shuts it down requiring we haul it to a dealer or even worse, pay extra for them to come get it, when they can.

Then there is the additional exorbitant price to have the system/DPF cleaned or replaced every x number of years.

At the prices we pay, they should use more reliable parts that are less likely to fail coupled with better prices for these parts/sensors when we do have to replace them. Include troubleshooting guides and better diagnostics for us to be self sufficient when they fail.

 

[jeff9366]

Neil Messick, of Messick's Tractor in Pennsylvania, states in his videos on emissions technology that 90% of emission technology problems are created by OPERATOR ERROR.

I remember a recent post where a dealer had driven to a customers property three times to respond to regeneration complaints. Each time the dealer showed the customer how to initiate the regeneration process. The third visit the dealer told the customer succeeding regeneration visits would be $250. No more regeneration problems reported to the dealer from that customer.

I have had my Kubota L3560 for eight years. It was the first Tier IV tractor sold new by my Kubota dealer. It passes through regeneration every sixty engine hours without a hiccup.

Then there is the additional exorbitant price to have the system/DPF cleaned or replaced every x number of years.

The average residential tractor operates eighty engine hours per year, according to industry surveys.

3,000 hours DPF Life / 80 hours = 37.5 years of residential use prior to DPF replacement.

Diesel Particulate Filter supersedes tractor muffler.
At some point in time DPF needs to be replaced.
At some point in time tractors with mufflers need the muffler replaced.

 

[Bearsixty7]

Neil Messick, of Messick's Tractor in Pennsylvania, states in his videos on emissions technology that 90% of emission technology problems are created by OPERATOR ERROR.

I remember a recent post where a dealer had driven to a customers property three times to respond to regeneration complaints. Each time the dealer showed the customer how to initiate the regeneration process. The third visit the dealer told the customer succeeding regeneration visits would be $250. No more regeneration problems reported to the dealer from that customer.

I have had my Kubota L3560 for eight years. It was the first Tier IV tractor sold new by my Kubota dealer. It passes through regeneration every sixty engine hours without a hiccup.

Then there is the additional exorbitant price to have the system/DPF cleaned or replaced every x number of years.

I don't know if I'll agree with 90% just based on the posts I've seen on various FB pages of issues. I'd agree with 50%-60% is operator induced.

So you have had 8 years and how many hours trouble free?

The average residential tractor operates eighty engine hours per year, according to industry surveys.

3,000 hours DPF Life / 80 hours = 37.5 years of residential use prior to DPF replacement.

Diesel Particulate Filter supersedes tractor muffler.
At some point in time DPF needs to be replaced.
At some point in time tractors with mufflers need the muffler replaced.

I hope that is close to reality but we will see. Also, mufflers cost a fraction of a DPF.

I already have 110 in under a year so once we move to our retirement property in a few years, I expect use to increase so I'll use 200 hrs. a year which means replacement every 15 years. Probably twice in my remaining lifetime. I hope that's as bad as it gets and I can afford it.

 

[deserteagle71]

I already have 110 in under a year so once we move to our retirement property in a few years, I expect use to increase so I'll use 200 hrs. a year which means replacement every 15 years. Probably twice in my remaining lifetime. I hope that's as bad as it gets and I can afford it.

I wouldn't worry about it....in 15 years, the way this country is going, your diesel engine will have been legislated out of existence. Or even buy diesel fuel. Have you seen the news reports this week of the attacks on Exxon, Chevron, and Shell - by their own stockholders?

 

[Williy]

The Yanmar YT235C that I ordered says about every
50 hours you need to re-gen instructions are push re-gen button and keep on working so don't have to stop
working with a Yanmar tractor

willy