Next step in engine strategy development

JCB has announced the next stage of its engine strategy with the news it has forged a partnership with a leading global manufacturer to produce engines for its compact equipment.

JCB has gone from a new entrant in engine manufacturing to an innovative global producer with the first JCB engine rolling off the production line in the UK in November 2004. Since then production has been extended to JCB India’s HQ at Ballabgarh and to date more than 350,000 engines have been produced globally.

JCB went into production this year with the innovative JCB Ecomax Tier 4 Final engine, which meets Tier 4 Final emissions standards using a compact ‘one can’ SCR system without the need for a diesel particulate filter (DPF).

Now JCB has announced it is adopting a range of fuel-efficient Stage IIIB/Tier 4 Final engines from Kohler’s Global Power Group, for many of its compact machine lines. The water-cooled Kohler Direct Injection (KDI) engines - are branded JCB Diesel by Kohler - meet the latest stage of emissions regulations without the need for a diesel particulate filter (DPF).

The first JCB machines to be fitted with the new engine are skid steers and compact excavators – giving customers excellent performance and fuel economy.

JCB’s Director of Engine Programs Alan Tolley said: “The decision to partner with Kohler to develop engines for JCB compact machines was driven by the synergy in the technologies used by JCB and Kohler to achieve stringent Tier 4 Final emissions legislation. Kohler’s achievement of Tier 4 Final without the need for a bulky DPF is fully in line with our own engine strategy and allows our designers maximum flexibility when it comes to meeting machine design and packaging requirements. These highly efficient engines will offer our customers improved performance and lower fuel consumption.”

High Torque Output

The KDI engines use a Common Rail fuel injection system working at 2,000 bar pressures,  cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), four valves per cylinder and a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) within the exhaust system. Fuel consumption is up to 15% better than a similar output engine equipped with lower injection pressures and a DPF.

There are two 1.9-liter three-cylinder engines, the KDI 1903M and the KDI 1903TCR, delivering 41 hp (31kW) with 133 Nm of torque and 56 hp (42 kW) with 225 Nm of torque respectively. The 2.5-liter, four-cylinder KDI 2504M and KDI 2504TCR deliver 48.8 hp (36.4kW) with 170 Nm and 55.4 kW (74 hp) with 300 Nm. The engines meet all JCB standards, with 500 hour maintenance intervals available on all models. Strong, low-rpm torque characteristics will result in improved machine performance and added engine response, delivering improved productivity for JCB customers.

Vincenzo Perrone, Managing Director of Global Diesel - Kohler Engines said: “Innovation that delivers true value to customers is a common thread running through the design of this completely new family of engines by Kohler. They feature highly advanced technology for clean combustion and limited emissions without the use of after-treatment systems. The KDI engine family is designed to be compact, while providing best in class performance.”

Tom Cromwell, President at Kohler Engines, added: “Kohler is extremely proud to be appointed as JCB’s engine supply partner for a wide range of construction equipment with the Kohler KDI engines. Reflecting the significant investment made by Kohler within diesel engine innovation and technology, these compact engines enable the machines to meet the stringent EU Stage IIIB and EPA Tier 4 Final emission regulations without the use of a DPF, while delivering significant fuel savings for JCB customers. This aligns perfectly with JCB’s wider engine strategy.”