Are Construction’s Diesel Engines Becoming Greener Machines?

12 July 2021
Written by Jess Maples

 

From bulldozers, earthmovers and excavators to mobile cranes and pavers, the vast majority of North America’s construction equipment is fuelled by diesel. In the US, construction actually makes up 55% of off-road fuel use, according to the Diesel Technology Forum.

A few years ago, this might have been a bad thing for the environment. But since 2014, when the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced mandatory Tier 4 standards for new off-highway diesel engines and heavy equipment, this has all changed.

Diesel manufacturers have transformed construction equipment into much greener machines by introducing high-tech emissions control devices called DPFs and DOCs. These filter the exhaust gas from your heavy equipment with a series of catalytic converters, reducing toxic elements like carbon, soot, and particulate matter. And it’s not just the environment that benefits! Better air quality on construction sites and increased fuel efficiency benefit everyone from site managers to heavy equipment operators.

 

 

Front loader construction equipment

What to Do About a Faulty Construction DPF?

 

DPF filters have many benefits, but your DPF often has a shorter working life than your heavy equipment. That’s where we come in. As the only aftermarket firm to offer DPFs for construction equipment, we’re here to get you back on track! You can order a new Roadwarrior DPF from your parts supplier and we’ll ship it to your site in 1-2 days. You can also find out more about the benefits of our DPFs here.

 

 

Roadwarrior Construction DPF

What Are Emissions Control Devices?

 

Most construction equipment includes a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter), and a DOC (Diesel Oxidation Catalyst). These honeycomb-structured filters are coated with platinum-grade metals to make them catalytic converters. As the hot exhaust gas passes through, the filters trigger a series of reactions that oxidize and purify it. Aftertreatment systems mean cleaner exhaust emissions, which keep your heavy equipment running smoothly and the air you breathe fresher.

 

 

What Problems Occur with A Construction Aftertreatment System?

 

While this is a brilliant system, you can encounter problems, especially with your Diesel Particulate Filter. Hot exhaust gas flows through the DPF, which traps soot and fine particulate matter. Commercial trucks reach high speeds on long highways, which then lets the engine get hot enough to burn the soot off the DPF—this is called passive regeneration (regens).

Off-highway machines, like heavy-duty construction equipment, rarely get hot enough for passive regens. This means that some models can only burn off soot with active regens. Active regeneration (regens) is when a small amount of fuel is injected into the exhaust stream to heat it up and burn the soot off the filter.

 

Drum roller and excavators on a construction site

 

When enough ash has built up on the DPF, you will need to have it removed and cleaned. This normally happens after 3,000-4,000 hours in typical construction equipment and about 250,000–500,000 miles in trucks. If this doesn’t happen, soot and ash will accumulate on the DPF until it clogs, cracks and eventually fails.

Cleaning can significantly increase the life of your DPF, but eventually, it will need replacing. Instead of contacting the original manufacturer, why not ask for Roadwarrior DPFs? Our models are designed as exact-fit replacements for major manufacturers including Caterpillar and Cummins and come at competitive prices, saving you money and downtime. We make our DPFs with advanced Metalcor® catalyst technology and design them to meet or exceed OEM standards. For your peace of mind, they also come with a hassle-free warranty.

 

Next Day Is Nice, Same Day is Better!​

A faulty emissions control system can cost you thousands in wasted man-hours as your heavy equipment sits in the shop awaiting a new part. Whether it’s a truck behind on orders, a bus that can’t take passengers, or heavy machinery delaying construction deadlines, Roadwarrior can get you moving again!

Roadwarrior has twelve warehouses across the U.S.A. and Canada, which can deliver the most popular aftertreatment parts in 1-2 days. With over 1,000 DPFs, DOCs and SCRs on offer, Roadwarrior offers the largest aftertreatment catalogue.

*LightningVolt lithium batteries ship directly from Roadwarrior in Ontario, to ALL 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii within 2-4 days.

Roadwarrior Has You Covered!

All Roadwarrior emissions parts carry a full value 12 month warranty.

LightningVolt lithium batteries carry a full value 30 month warranty.

To make the process hassle-free, our parts have a metal nameplate with the serial number, so even after 500,000 miles of service, it’s still easy to identify. This avoids the common problem of serial numbers printed on stickers that burn off after the first start-up, making them impossible to return. Our failsafe system allows us to work in your interests, honouring claims for on-road and off-road replacements, and giving you peace of mind.

And since Roadwarrior parts are designed to meet or exceed OEM specifications, you can rest easy knowing our direct fit parts will take the problems out of your aftertreatment without interfering with your OEM warranty.

Better Coating, Better Performance.

Roadwarrior is the only manufacturer to use Metalcor® catalyst technology across its entire range of Diesel Oxidation Catalysts (DOCs) and Selective Catalytic Reduction catalysts (SCRs). Metalcor® catalysts feature high activity catalyst coatings fused to thinner, stronger, catalyst substrates to guarantee maximum performance under the harshest conditions.

Metalcor® catalyst coatings are designed and produced in our own labs. We then inspect each unit to ensure you get more fuel efficiency, lower consumption of DEF, and long term performance from your heavy duty engine!

Better Coating, Better Performance.

Roadwarrior is the only manufacturer to use Metalcor® catalyst technology across its entire range of Diesel Oxidation Catalysts (DOCs) and Selective Catalytic Reduction catalysts (SCRs). Metalcor® catalysts feature high activity catalyst coatings fused to thinner, stronger, catalyst substrates to guarantee maximum performance under the harshest conditions.

Metalcor® catalyst coatings are designed and produced in our own labs. We then inspect each unit to ensure you get more fuel efficiency, lower consumption of DEF, and long term performance from your heavy duty engine!

Roadwarrior Has You Covered!

All Roadwarrior emissions parts carry a full value 12 month warranty.

LightningVolt lithium batteries carry a full value 30 month warranty.

To make the process hassle-free, our parts have a metal nameplate with the serial number, so even after 500,000 miles of service, it’s still easy to identify. This avoids the common problem of serial numbers printed on stickers that burn off after the first start-up, making them impossible to return. Our failsafe system allows us to work in your interests, honouring claims for on-road and off-road replacements, and giving you peace of mind.

And since Roadwarrior parts are designed to meet or exceed OEM specifications, you can rest easy knowing our direct fit parts will take the problems out of your aftertreatment without interfering with your OEM warranty.

Next Day Is Nice, Same Day is Better!​

A faulty emissions control system can cost you thousands in wasted man-hours as your heavy equipment sits in the shop awaiting a new part. Whether it’s a truck behind on orders, a bus that can’t take passengers, or heavy machinery delaying construction deadlines, Roadwarrior can get you moving again! 

Roadwarrior has twelve warehouses across the U.S.A. and Canada, which can deliver the most popular aftertreatment parts in 1-2 days. With over 1,000 DPFs, DOCs and SCRs on offer, Roadwarrior offers the largest aftertreatment catalogue.

*LightningVolt lithium batteries ship directly from Roadwarrior in Ontario, to ALL 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii within 2-4 days.