MachineryLink

comply with the government's final Tier 4 diesel emission standards, manufacturers of high horsepower diesel engines will include the use of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) to reduce the amount of air-polluting exhaust escaping into the air.

DEF is a urea-based chemical designed for use in Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems to reduce NOx emissions by up to 90%. According to the U.S. EPA, NOx emissions contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, fine particle pollution and can cause respiratory problems. SCR is an emissions control system that injects a "liquid-reductant," such as DEF into the exhaust stream of a diesel engine. DEF sets off a chemical reaction that converts NOx into nitrogen, water and tiny amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2), all natural components of the air.

But the challenge with handling DEF on the farm is maintaining its purity while transporting it to diesel-engine farm machinery operating far off county roads and highways -- and in harsh, dirty conditions.

Pella, Iowa, manufacturer Thunder Creek Equipment, the builder of heavy-duty fuel and service trailers, is offering one solution. It has introduced an easily portable pickup truck-mounted solution for handing DEF in what it calls the DEF Transport Tote. The tote fits into the bed of any standard truck.

Thunder Creek's DEF Transport Tote holds 50 gallons of DEF. Its patent-pending, 2-in-1 DEF pumping system is stored under a lockable, weather sealed door. The pumping system maintains a closed handling loop for both the loading of DEF into the tote and dispensing it into waiting tractors. It does this uniquely with a singe pump. This system, exclusive to Thunder Creek, eliminates the need to purchase a separate DEF transfer pump. The manufacturer says its innovative pumping system saves the potential buyer up to $2,000.

"We've spent a lot of time designing this so you end up with a compact, convenient solution that maintains the contaminant-free nature of DEF," said Luke Van Wyk, general manager at Thunder Creek.

The tote can be loaded into the pickup and secured into the bed using the same lift points. Everything is accessible from the driver's side of the truck bed.

To learn more about this DEF solution from Thunder Creek, and find information about the proper handling of DEF, go to: www.ThunderCreekEquipment.com.

The manufacturer's suggested retail prices for the DEF Transport Tote is $2,450.

(JP/AG)

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