One of the world's largest manufacturers of construction machinery and diesel motors, Caterpillar/Perkins, is now having its products tested according to European and American standards and regulations on the engine test rigs of the Essen-based Institute for Vehicle Technology and Mobility (IFM). Unlike in Europe, where the technical service provider mediates between the type approval authority and the manufacturers as a third party and independent inspection body, in America the manufacturer is responsible for measurements that are monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) before approval is granted pursuant to the Codes of Federal Regulations.
Caterpillar specialists came to Essen to gain a first-hand impression of the quality of the test rigs in use there and have declared them also to be suitable for the tests required by the US authorities for non-road mobile machinery. The measurements included nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, particulate mass and quantities of particles in engine exhaust gas.
As Leif-Erik Schulte, director of technical services at the IFM, explains: “As an independent technical service provider, we’ve made enough of a name for ourselves internationally for Caterpillar to commission us to carry out its measurements, which is a great honour. And, as it happens, American standards have the reputation of being both high and rigorous.”
In the future, alongside its stationary engine tests, the IFM will also be offering PEMS measurements for mobile machinery and equipment with the aim of getting more realistic results.
Caterpillar has invested more than $ 500 million in research and development to reduce emissions from its engines. Over 95,000 employees work for the manufacturer, which earns more than $ 38 billion annually from sales of its products.