Volvo showcases Tier 4 Interim engines

Volvo was promoting its Tier 4 Interim and Stage IIIB-compliant engines at ConExpo, showcasing the technology on a range of new construction equipment on display at its stand.

Machines fitted with the new engines included the company's 39 tonne A40F hauler, the largest in Volvo's new F-Series articulated hauler range, as well as the L250G wheeled loader, part of the company's new G-Series range of wheeled loaders.

Volvo's D-Series excavator, the EC480 D, also sported one of the new generation engines, which are said to enhanced fuel efficiency and boost torque and power capacity, as well as lower emissions.

Volvo developed advanced combustion technology (V-ACT) to meet the emissions regulations which came into force in Europe and the US at the start of the year.

The approach involved combining high pressure variable fuel injection systems and cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) technology to precisely control the amount of fuel entering the engine, and reducing combustion temperatures in order to lower the amount of harmful nitrogen oxides NOX produced - a key requirement of the new regulations.

Turbochargers are also used in the new engines, together with powerful engine management systems and an integrated exhaust after treatment system featuring a particulate filter and thermal regenerator.

The after treatment system is said to reduce particulate matter by -90% compared to the previous machine series.

Volvo has subjected the new engines to over a billion miles of testing inside the L250G loader alone since 2007.