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Machine Matters

Cover Story/Machine Matters: That new dozer smell

October 04, 2007 |

Relax and think back ten years. Remember the plume of diesel smoke as it floated in a feathery charcoal cloud from your new earthmover, accompanied by the musical roar of its engine? The sulfur-scented diesel perfume that could bring tears to your eyes? Ah, nothing like a new dozer.

What a difference a decade makes!

When the EPA demanded cleaner diesel engines in off-road vehicles, manufacturers producing heavy-duty construction equipment wisely chose the high road and used the ‘opportunity’ the EPA presented to build vehicles that were not only cleaner but also more comfortable, efficient and easier to run. A quick scan of 1997 dozer brochures doesn’t mention innovations like global positioning systems, engine diagnostics, or automotive-style cabs that are now standard on many dozer models. Onboard computers? If you had asked about the monitor on that ’97 model, they might have thought you were referring to a guy with a clipboard who watches while you work.

That was then, this is now and 160-to 210-horsepower dozers in 2007 are better than ever.

The engines started it
Bernie Winker, manager of marketing and engineering services for Dressta, says the past ten years have been amazing. As the EPA regulations have been laddered into place, Winker says one of the most important major changes in dozers is the fully electronic controlled engine. Engines in use a decade ago used mechanically controlled fuel injections systems. Today’s highly efficient electronically controlled fuel injection systems burn fuel more completely and produce far less toxic emissions. Now diesel engines can burn biodiesel, giving the contractor the flexibility to use whatever diesel blend fuel is most available and economic in his area.

Changes made to meet the EPA emission standards are influencing engineering in other areas of the machines. “The effect on other major sub-systems is pronounced,” says Winker. “On the 190-horsepower Dressta dozer, we have included a more efficient cooling module that provides cooling control for the engine coolant, engine combustion air cooling and powertrain oil cooling – all in one side-by-side package.”

Winker says another by-product of the low emission engines is a decrease in overall noise level because the new engines produce maximum power at several hundred rpms slower than their predecessors.

ECMs, GPS and joysticks
Ten short years ago, midsize dozers were powerful earthmovers that did pretty much just that – moved dirt. Today dozers are sophisticated ‘smart’ machines that can grade dirt within a quarter-inch accuracy, wirelessly alert its owner if the dozer is stolen, analyze the performance of each machine component and troubleshoot service issues before they become problems.