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Retrofit Strategies
Verified Technologies
If you are interested in verified technologies for agricultural equipment, see EPA's Verified Retrofit Technologies.
Retrofitting is loosely defined as any change that improves the emission performance of a diesel engine. Strategies to reduce emissions from agricultural equipment include:
- Switching to Cleaner Fuels: Using advanced fuels, such as ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD), biodiesel, liquid petroleum gas (LPG), and compressed natural gas.
- Retrofitting Technologies: Installing emissions reduction technologies on an engine, such as a diesel particulate filter (DPF) or a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC).
- Repowering: Replacing an old engine with a newer, cleaner model.
- Replacing: Replacing an old vehicle or equipment with a cleaner model.
- Reducing Idling: Reducing the amount of idling time a vehicle normally operates.
- Repairing and Conducting Proper Maintenance: Repairing an existing engine to meet its original specification and keeping equipment running efficiently through good preventative maintenance.
- Using Operational Strategies: Practicing different techniques to reduce the emissions by reducing the actual use of the equipment.
On this page, you will find information on:
Retrofit Technologies
After-treatment technologies, can be applied to existing equipment or vehicles to reduce particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO) or hydrocarbons (HC), in addition to other air pollutants. EPA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) verify the emission performance of retrofit technologies through appropriate protocols and statistical analysis to confirm the device's emission performance. Select the following link to learn more about EPA verified products.
Maintenance/Repairing/Rebuilding
Engines that are properly maintained according to the manufacturer's recommendations perform better and typically emit fewer emissions. Rebuilding an engine may also significantly lower emissions and can be a cost-effective option for high-value equipment.
Unless engines are properly maintained, other measures to reduce emissions may be futile. The emissions from a poorly maintained engine cannot be reduced by technology alone. Properly maintained or recently rebuilt engines lower emissions by burning fuel more efficiently and reduce operation costs through improved fuel economy and extended engine life.
Common maintenance issues include:
- restricted air filters;
- improper engine timing;
- clogged, worn, or mismatched fuel injectors;
- faulty fuel injection pumps;
- defective or maladjusted puff limiters;
- low air box pressure;
- improperly adjusted valve lash or governors;
- maladjusted fuel racks;
- defective air fuel controllers;
- poor fuel quality;
- improper driving gear and air intake manifold links; and
- delay in changing oil.
Related information about safely disposing of changed engine oil.