Compact Tractor Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) Version 2.0

[leonz]

It certainly makes me more determined to use a catalyst pellet exhaust gas
purifier when and if I invest in a new or used diesel mule.

I installed a Foley Engine Service catalytic muffler on my commercial firewood
splitter as the fumes from the honda GX340 gas engine always made me sick
before I did that repair work.

 

[jeff9366]

"I like the idea of no DPF on the Mahindra."

Beginning about thirty-three horsepower most tractors have Diesel Particulate Filters.
A few Tier IV compliant tractors between 26 and 75 hp use DOC (Diesel Oxidation Catalyst) conversion. Mahindra is one. Mahindra has DOC of similar construction to DPF. Both the DPF and the DOC are honeycomb ceramic filters which supercede a muffler.
The DOC forces engine exhaust over a honeycomb ceramic structure coated with platinum, palladium, and rhodium. These catalysts oxidize carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide and water at hot exhaust temperature.

Mahindra has a DOC oven hot all the time, DPF tractors have an oven hot intermittently.

There is no free lunch.

 

[jeff9366]

Due to the requirement that new tractors over 25-horsepower meet stringent Tier IV emission rules, which necessitated two stages of emission upgrades over older models, new tractors jump from 26-horsepower to about 33-horsepower. There are very few new tractors around 30-horsepower. Primary Tire IV emission reduction occurs within redesigned engines during combustion. DPF is the second stage, incinerating diesel soot accumulated during 40 to 60 engine hours of operation to a few grams of carbon/ash during regeneration, ash then exits the DPF into the atmosphere. Tier IV exhaust is 99% cleaner than Tier III exhaust.

(Via small engine displacement, higher operating revs and careful design, 26-horsepower Kubota B2650 unusually meets Tier IV standards without a Diesel Particulate Filter.)

The cost of DPF and the computer chip which monitors soot accumulation increases Tier IV compliant tractor cost. Computer chip may also control electronic fuel injection.

 

[hkbirdman]

I don't see a problem with my Mahindra 2555 and DOC running "oven hot" all the time. When I am using pallet forks on the loader while in close quarters - I frequently run RPMs at 800. Also - while doing backhoe work or loader work with the bucket or grapple - most of the time I am running at 1400 - 1500 RPM. This is the majority of work that I perform with my tractor and I cannot remember when I ran over 2000 RPM in performing these tasks. I have to believe that if I had a DPF equipped tractor and ran at these RPMs - I would be looking at more regenerations. In addition - I'm quite sure that I am saving fuel - although I have not calculated for this. At current time I have 375 hrs. and no problems at all.

 

[jeff9366]

I don't see a problem with my Mahindra 2555 and DOC running "oven hot" all the time. At current time I have 375 hrs. and no problems at all.

Neither do I.

I am neutral on emission control system technology; whatever works.

However, there are numerous reports on T-B-N of Mahindra sales personnel telling tractor shoppers that Mahindra tractors do not have a DPF and do not regenerate, both true, implying Mahindra is Tier IV compliant without emission control components. Not true, of coarse. DOC and DPF are pretty similar hardware. From my reading, seconded by multi-line tractor vender Messick's Equipment, tractor emission systems are about equally service prone with operator error responsible for more dealer visits than any other cause.

I purchased my Kubota L3560 in January 2013. Now 1,492 engine hours on the clock. No DPF problems at all.

 

[jeff9366]

I'm joe average homeowner with 10 acres.

Mahindra has no DPF but Deere does and I'd like to avoid DPF due to stories of replacing the unit in 5 years for $1500-2000. [/U]

I am neutral on emission control system technology; whatever works.

However, there are numerous reports on T-B-N of Mahindra sales personnel telling tractor shoppers that Mahindra tractors do not have a DPF and do not regenerate, both true; implying Mahindra is Tier IV compliant without emission control components. Not true, of coarse.

Beginning about thirty-three horsepower most tractors have Diesel Particulate Filters.
A few Tier IV compliant tractors between 26 and 75 hp use DOC (Diesel Oxidation Catalyst) conversion. Mahindra is one. Mahindra DOC is of similar construction to DPF. Both DPF and DOC are honeycomb ceramic filters which supersede the muffler. The DOC forces engine exhaust over a honeycomb ceramic structure coated with platinum, palladium, and rhodium. These catalysts oxidize carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide and water at hot exhaust temperature.

Mahindra has a DOC oven hot all the time, DPF tractors have an oven hot intermittently.

There is no free lunch.

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

3,000 hours DPF Life / 60 hours = 50 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.
At some point in time DOC needs to be replaced.

Tire wear and tire replacement will cause as many headaches and more expense than DPF/DOC for most long term compact tractor owners who read and comprehend their Operator's Manual.

For a commercial farmer operating tractor engine 300 to 400 hours per year DPF/DOC will require replacement more often than once in fifty years.

 

[Milo]

If one wished to "do away with" either of these systems on their tractor it seems like it would be easier to eliminate the DOC. Simply replace it with a different muffler or section of exhaust pipe. Am I wrong?

 

[deserteagle71]

If one wished to "do away with" either of these systems on their tractor it seems like it would be easier to eliminate the DOC. Simply replace it with a different muffler or section of exhaust pipe. Am I wrong?

Not that simple. Unless someone makes a "tuner" to fool the tractor's electronic "brain", the tractor won't run. Plenty of tuners are available for diesel pickups but as far as I know, no one has made a tuner for a tractor that would allow it to run without the DPF.

 

[ptsg]

If one wished to "do away with" either of these systems on their tractor it seems like it would be easier to eliminate the DOC. Simply replace it with a different muffler or section of exhaust pipe. Am I wrong?

It does work like that on Branson tractors.

You can either gut the DOC and leave it there. Or replace the DOC with just a muffler and take the computer right off. The engine has nothing linked to the computer nor it will flash any lights on the dash.

There is member here that did replace the DOC with a muffler.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/century-branson/409434-exhaust-mod-my-3725-a.html

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

It does work like that on Branson tractors.

You can either gut the DOC and leave it there. Or replace the DOC with just a muffler and take the computer right off. The engine has nothing linked to the computer nor it will flash any lights on the dash.

There is member here that did replace the DOC with a muffler.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/century-branson/409434-exhaust-mod-my-3725-a.html

Yup, and still performs great 7 months later. Zero issues or negative consequences to doing this mod. Glad I did it. Can answer questions if anyone has them. The Branson DOC system is a "bolt on" add on to an existing tractor, that is sold internationally. So the "bolt on" parts are only added to tractors that are destined for the US, and our nutty/stupid emissions regs.

Works perfectly fine with out the DOC.