WHECO has completed numerous upgrade and re-power projects in various types of equipment over the past decade. Today, the complexity of an engine conversion is not the same as it was just few years ago when the emissions standards were much different. On May 11, 2004, the EPA signed a final rule introducing Tier 4 emission standards, which have been phased-in over the period of 2008-2015. The Tier 4 Final standards require that emissions of Particulate Matter and Nitrous Oxide be further reduced by about 90%. Such emission reductions are achieved through the use of control technologies—including advanced exhaust after treatment. Over the past twelve months WHECO Corporation has successfully completed two Tier 4 Engine conversions, one located in California and the other in Washington State.
One particular hurdle in replacing a Tier 3 or older engine to a Tier 4 is engine compartment space. With the incorporation of more advanced pretreatment and exhaust after treatment systems, the required engine footprint has grown dramatically. The additional exhaust sensory components alone can consume all available compartment space.
The WHECO Team in collaboration with team members, engineers, and engine manufactures were successful in resolving the space issues on their Tier 4 upgrade projects without compromising the effectiveness and output of the systems. An important modification was the engine cooling requirements; the cranes cooling systems were completely redesigned to accommodate the new Tier 4 engines. In addition, DEF tank and the necessary plumbing were all new components to the cranes original configuration.
One of WHECO’s “Power Up” projects began in spring of 2015 at their facility in Santa Fe Springs California on a 1985 Manitowoc 4000W Crane. The crane owner requested a new Tier 4F Cummins Model QSL9 engine compliant with California requirements that would replace an outdated Cummins Model NTA 855 engine.
The second and most recent project, anticipated to be completed in July 2016, is the “Power UP” of a Manitowoc 888 crawler crane, replacing an original M11-C Cummins Engine with a new 333 HP, QSL9P Tier 4 Final compliant system. WHECO worked very close with the Cummins Engineers before and after the installation. The space available on this model of crane is very limited, and it is very time consuming to fit all the components to have it look and operate correctly.
Both “Power Up” projects above were required to be CARB Compliant to continue to work in the State of California. WHECO is likely the only organization offering Tier 4 Final re-powers to the Manitowoc 888 Cranes.
