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| Engines and Components 2006 Press Releases and Information |
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John Deere Power Systems and Greater Portland METRO Partner in Clean-Air Effort
Transit District Adds 13 Natural Gas Engines to Its Fleet
PORTLAND, ME (April 26, 2006) — To commemorate its entrance into a new era of cleaner air, METRO Greater Portland Transit District and Maine Clean Communities will be hosting a celebration on May 1, with several highlights including the introduction of 13 new John Deere-powered compressed natural gas (CNG) buses.
The celebration of this clean-air initiative stems from METRO’s decision to power 13 of the 28 transit buses in its fleet with John Deere CNG engines. The May 1 celebration will include not only free rides to all METRO passengers that day, but also an introduction of the 13 ORION VII transit-style buses and an unveiling of the new natural gas fueling station.
“The introduction of the natural gas buses provides a perfect opportunity to highlight the convenience, affordability, and environmental benefits for using METRO,” says Peter Cavanaugh, director of operations at METRO. “The addition of compressed natural gas buses and fueling infrastructure clearly demonstrates METRO’s commitment to energy independence and a cleaner environment for Maine and the nation.”
The buses feature air conditioning, have a capacity for 40 passengers, and are powered by the John Deere 8.1L compressed natural gas engine, which offers 280 hp at 2200 rpm. The natural gas fueling station — built to fuel the new buses using North American natural gas — will also be used by the Portland School Department and made available to fuel other vehicles that use natural gas.
METRO and Bell Power Systems, a John Deere natural gas engine distributor, have been working together on this project since the beginning of 2005, and in the fall of 2005, METRO hosted a CNG training session at their facility to help familiarize their staff with the alternative-fuel vehicles and engines. Alex Bell of Bell Power Systems is very pleased to have played a key role in helping METRO find a cleaner and quieter power solution for their transit bus fleet.
“Bell Power Systems congratulates METRO for implementing an alternative-fuel program,” says Alex Bell of Bell Power Systems. “The use of natural gas, a domestically produced fuel, will displace thousands of gallons of diesel fuel each year while giving the Greater Portland community the cleanest and quietest buses available today. We are ready to offer customer support for the new buses to ensure that METRO continues to provide reliable service to their riders.”
Maine Clean Communities, which is the local coalition of the U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities Program, also played an instrumental role in Portland’s clean-air initiative. Maine Clean Communities and the DOE Clean Cities Program promote the use of alternative fuels and other technologies that reduce the use of petroleum.
John Deere began exploring natural gas engine technology in 1995, and since then, the number of John Deere natural gas engines in the United States has continued to expand. They’ve been installed in school and transit buses, as well as refuse and utility trucks. Natural gas engines release significantly less harmful emissions, don’t have the unpleasant smell associated with other fuels, and they produce less noise. In fact, the noise generated by running nine natural gas engines equals the noise generated by one diesel engine.
Since entering the natural gas market, John Deere has developed many features to deliver reliability, performance, and cost-effectiveness. The fuel-management system delivers diesel-like fuel economy and drivability, and the high-torque engines have plenty of power for pulling grades and carrying heavy loads, and they offer drivers great acceleration and handling, even under load and at higher altitudes. In addition, advanced electronics and excellent engine-management controls work with other technologies to enable John Deere natural gas engines to offer extended oil maintenance intervals.
The John Deere 8.1L compressed natural gas engine used in the METRO fleet is also available in liquid natural gas and has been certified to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emissions levels and California Air Resources Board (CARB) optional low NOx standards 1.2 g/bhp-hr for MHHD, HHDD, and urban bus vehicles.
John Deere Power Systems will offer a 9.0L natural gas engine, which will be available in 2007 and will be certified to 2010 emissions levels of 0.2 g/bhp-hr for MHHD, HHDD, and urban bus vehicles. This engine offers an expanded power range of 250 hp – 300+ hp and a peak torque of 1050 ft-lbs at the maximum rating, which will help optimize vehicle low-end performance. The 9.0L engine will be available in compressed natural gas or liquid natural gas.
About Bell Power Systems
Bell Power Systems has been in the heavy-duty engine business since 1967. Bell Power Systems, located in Essex, Conn., has been the authorized distributor of John Deere diesel and natural gas engines for all of New England, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia since 1989. Bell Power Systems serves a variety of markets, including marine, agriculture, forestry, construction and on-highway applications, and can be contacted at 1-800-225-8669 or through the company’s website www.bellpower.com. Clean engine emission products and services can be found at www.bellpower-cleanengines.com.
About John Deere Power Systems
In addition to the on-highway natural gas engines, John Deere Power Systems (JDPS) manufactures 30 kW – 448 kW (40 hp – 600 hp) engines for use in a variety of non-road applications. JDPS also manufactures and markets marine engines and drivetrain components. JDPS can be contacted at 1-800-JD-ENGINE (1-800-533-6446), or via email at jdpower@JohnDeere.com. Information about the full line of JDPS engines and drivetrain components is available online at www.JohnDeere.com/jdpower.
About John Deere
John Deere (Deere & Company — NYSE:DE) is the world’s leading manufacturer of agricultural and forestry equipment; a leading supplier of equipment used in lawn, grounds, and turf care; a major manufacturer of construction equipment; and a major supplier of engines and drivetrain components for use in John Deere and other leading brands of equipment. John Deere also provides financial services and other related activities that support the core businesses. Since it was founded in 1837, the company has established a heritage of quality products and services that provide enduring performance to customers worldwide.
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