DEF Fluid?

[Maynard Reece Byrd]

Anyone have any experience with the SCR systems requiring DEF Fluid?

 

[bandit67]

Anyone have any experience with the SCR systems requiring DEF Fluid?

So what exactly are your questions?

 

[Maynard Reece Byrd]

I am looking at new tractors and some use the SCR sytem which uses DEF fluid. I am trying to decide which of the two emission control systems I would prefer based on the experience of users.

 

[General Lee]

I have the DEF system on my truck. I didn't know new tractors had them as well.

 

[Maynard Reece Byrd]

Case is using it and they claim it is the best. What has been your experience with your truck, good, bad, indifferent?

 

[General Lee]

Case is using it and they claim it is the best. What has been your experience with your truck, good, bad, indifferent?

No issues so far. I have Ford's new 6.7L Powerstroke. Truck has a 5 gallon DEF reservoir. DEF usage pertains to use such has how hard you work the motor under load, etc. Ford states 5 gallons of DEF lasts typically 7-10,000 miles. Keep in mind DEF freezes at about 12 degrees F, so depending on how the tractor will be stored, the freezing DEF may cause issues. Not sure if Case insulates the DEF reservoir to help with freeze issues or not. The DEF system with at least Ford is said to improve fuel mileage as well with cleaner emissions. I have no idea how it would benefit the tractor.

 

[Maynard Reece Byrd]

Case is claiming improved fuel economy. Supposed to be able to start the tractor with the DEF frozen and there is coolant that warms the fluid up. Also have a drain down that drains the lines when you shut the tractor off. As I understand.

 

[General Lee]

Case is claiming improved fuel economy. Supposed to be able to start the tractor with the DEF frozen and there is coolant that warms the fluid up. Also have a drain down that drains the lines when you shut the tractor off. As I understand.

Case is probably spot on. When I shut my truck down, it is equipped with a pump that siphons the DEF fluid out of the lines to prevent freezing. I doubt you will have any issues. Now that tractors are adding DEF systems, it sounds all large machinery equipped with diesels will have a DEF system before to long. Gotta thank the lovely EPA. Also DEF is becoming widely available at automotive stores and even at the pumps at truck stops. Its not to expensive. 2-3 dollars a gallon.

 

[Maynard Reece Byrd]

Some, including John Deere, are using EGR(exhaust gas recirculation) to meet the Tier 4 requirements.

 

[bandit67]

I have the new 6.7L Powerstroke. So far no complaints with the DEF system. I expect to go 7-8k miles before having to refill, so it's not that often, and is easy to find. Don't really have a choice on the new pickups.

It is another bunch of "stuff" added to the tractor, so I might take that into consideration when looking at a new machine if not all manufacturers were doing it, since most of us keep our tractors long past the warranty period. Although I don't have complaints about the system on my truck as of yet, I'm not sure I'd be too excited about having to deal with it on my tractor, until there was no other choice in the matter.

Smaller diesels can still get by without the DEF system. The DEF system is all about getting more power with better fuel economy & cleaner emissions than comparable non-DEF engines, and becomes more beneficial as the engine size and power levels increase.

It appears as if it is the wave of the future, at least at this point, and EGR systems do have the occasional issue with sensors. As to which version is better? I guess maybe the one with the least amount of components that could break.

By the way, the Ford DEF tank is 8 gallons as I understand it, not 5.