Caterpillar confirms its "de-tiering" strategy

Caterpillar has confirmed its plans to make “de-tier” modifications available through dealerships for Tier 4 interim machines due to be migrated outside of Highly Regulated Countries (HRCs).

The proposals, which were initially raised at the end of 2013, will require engines below 130kw to undergo adaptation strictly through authorised dealers. According to the company, this will help ensure that equipment operates appropriately in markets that have less or no emissions regulations.

Machines using Tier 4 interim engines above that power level up to 895kw will not require further modification for use in lesser regulated countries – which has been established through extensive field testing.

Cat said the modification process involves decertification and removal of aftertreatment from specific machine and engine configurations for use in non-regulated and lesser-regulated countries.

There is a now a total of more than 178,000 of Caterpillar Tier 4 interim products operating within the HRC market, which could eventually be destined for other global markets.

Cat joins a growing list of companies including John Deere, JCB and Volvo that have unveiled strategies for converting higher-level emissions compliant machines for use in less-regulated countries.

“In keeping with our aggressive product migration strategy, Caterpillar identified used products and geographies as higher probability recipients of used Tier 4 Interim products,” said engineering manager Rick Jeffs. “We have therefore focused our design and development efforts for this first series of modification processes to align with those higher probabilities.

“Using those same priorities and probabilities, Caterpillar has also been preparing dealers to support the migration of used Tier 4 Interim products to those targeted geographies.

“We know Tier 4 Final products won’t be far behind the Interim products, which is why the strategy we’ve developed focuses on a solution for today’s customers—and for future customers.”

The modification process is expected to start from December, with Caterpillar dealers having been supplied with the appropriate parts and product information to support customers in terms of revised maintenance requirements.