JCB meet Stage IIIB standard without DPF or Adblue

JCB claim to be the only heavy equipment and engine manufacturer in the world to have met the EU Stage IIIB/US Tier 4 Interim emissions standards without any after-treatment. This has been achieved through the use of innovative in-cylinder technologies alone, rather than resorting to external exhaust after-treatment or a diesel particulate filter. 

Having invested more than £80 million, and with in excess of 110,000h of testing in 70 different machines, the JCB Ecomax engine offers power and torque ratings specific to construction machinery, with low emissions and reduced fuel consumption. In addition, this ‘no after-treatment’ approach makes it possible for JCB dealers to recalibrate the Ecomax engine for used equipment that is sold in less-regulated countries with higher sulphur content fuels.

The Ecomax engine will be fitted in machines from 74hp to 173hp, including backhoe loaders, Loadall telescopic handlers, wheeled loading shovels, the TM range of telescopic wheel loaders, JS excavators, rough-terrain forklifts and skid-steer loaders. 

Other key features of the engine include: variable-geometry turbocharging; 2,000 bar high-pressure common-rail fuel injection; cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR); LiveLink connectivity for engine ECU data analysis; and the ability to run on standard engine oils.

‘We at are proud that through engineering excellence and innovation, we have been able to achieve the power and torque that our customers require to get the job done, while lowering fuel consumption and meeting stringent emissions criteria from around the world,’ said Alan Tolley, JCB director of engine programmes.  

‘We’ve invested heavily in the JCB Ecomax engine because we believe that our customers shouldn’t have to pay additional service and maintenance costs to meet emissions standards when those standards can be achieved through the use of in-cylinder clean-burning combustion technology. 

‘What’s more, by recalibrating the Ecomax engine, turning off the exhaust gas recirculation and reducing fuel-injection pressures, it is possible for the engine to be run on higher sulphur content fuels. This process can be carried out by any of our 2,000 JCB dealers around the world using standard JCB service tools, offering a flexible, straightforward solution for our customers in the used-equipment market.’