Waterloo, Iowa (April 29, 2010) – John Deere Power Systems (JDPS) is pleased to announce that their PowerTech PVX 9.0L and PowerTech PSX 9.0L models are the first of their off-highway 56 kW (75 hp) and above engines to be certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and European Union (EU) as compliant with the Interim Tier 4 and Stage III B regulations.

“The EPA and EU certifications of our 9.0L engines are tremendous milestones for JDPS, and demonstrate our commitment to the environment. The timing of the certification — and being one of the first manufacturers to certify Interim Tier 4/Stage III B engines — reinforces John Deere’s leadership in the off-highway engine market,” said Doug Laudick, product planning manager for JDPS. “We believe our chosen technology path provides the best value for Interim Tier 4/Stage III B, and the certifications are proof that our emission reduction technologies are paying off for the environment and our customers.”

Interim Tier 4/Stage III B emissions regulations begin January 1, 2011 for 130 kW (174 hp) and above engines and require a 90 percent reduction in diesel particulate matter (PM) and a 50 percent reduction in nitrogen oxide (NOx) from previous Tier 3/Stage III A requirements.

John Deere met the challenge of Interim Tier 4/Stage III B regulations by starting with their proven PowerTech Plus Tier 3/Stage III A in-line, six-cylinder engine platform — which includes cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) for NOx control — and adding an exhaust filter for reducing PM. These engines will feature full-authority electronic controls, a four-valve cylinder head, a high-pressure fuel system, turbocharging and an air-to-air aftercooling system.

John Deere was the first engine manufacturer to widely commercialize cooled EGR and variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) technologies in off-highway applications, introducing them in 2005 with the start of Tier 3/Stage III A regulations. Since then, John Deere has accumulated significant operating hours with these technologies in off-highway applications and has established a proven field record of reliability.

“The PowerTech PVX and PSX 9.0L engines have already gone through the customer equivalent of nearly 200,000 hours of testing. Field and lab testing continues to ensure the final product will meet the unique requirements expected from off-highway diesel engines,” said Laudick. “With early certification, equipment manufacturers who choose John Deere engines can have confidence in the ability of our technology choice to meet emissions standards and they will have more time to design the certified engines into their equipment.”

With their 56 kW (75 hp) and above Interim Tier 4/Stage III B engines featuring cooled EGR and VGT technologies, John Deere expects to maintain fuel-economy levels similar to those achieved with their Tier 3/Stage III A engines. John Deere’s cooled EGR engines operate efficiently with ultra low-sulfur diesel as well as biodiesel blends, providing owners and operators with optimal performance and fuel-choice flexibility.

“We achieved best-in-class fuel economy with many of our Tier 3/Stage III A engines. Other engine manufacturers are just now announcing the use of these technologies in their off-highway Interim Tier 4/Stage III B product offerings,” said Brian Brown, manager of worldwide marketing support for JDPS.

In choosing a solution for Interim Tier 4/Stage III B, John Deere elected not to use selective catalytic reduction (SCR). John Deere’s cooled EGR and exhaust filter approach provides OEMs and end-users a proven solution with the best total fluid economy. The single-fluid approach of cooled EGR means owners and operators won’t have to incur the cost of diesel fuel plus the additional cost for diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) required by SCR systems. “For Interim Tier 4/Stage III B, we’re not only looking at fuel economy, we’re taking into consideration total fluid consumption,” Brown said.

“Our engineers are committed to ensuring John Deere’s lineup of Interim Tier 4/Stage III B engines will deliver the performance, reliability, durability and low operating costs our customers have come to expect,” Laudick said. “Their innovative solutions have not only provided our customers with performance benefits but have enabled us to successfully meet Interim Tier 4/Stage III B regulations ahead of schedule.”

The certified and compliant PowerTech PVX 9.0L offers up to 224 kW (300 hp) while the PowerTech PSX 9.0L offers up to 317 kW (425 hp). PowerTech 9.0L engines will go into production in May 2010.

About Deere & Company

John Deere (Deere & Company — NYSE: DE) is a world leader in providing advanced products and services for agriculture, forestry, construction, lawn and turf care, landscaping and irrigation. John Deere also provides financial services worldwide and manufactures and markets engines used in heavy equipment. Since it was founded in 1837, the company has extended its heritage of integrity, quality, commitment and innovation around the globe. John Deere Power Systems manufactures and markets 30 kW to 448 kW (40 hp to 600 hp) industrial diesel engines and 56 kW to 559 kW (75 hp to 750 hp) marine diesel engines, as well as drivetrain components for use in a variety of off-highway applications.