Case Studies

John Deere Harvests Savings with DFMA
New EPA-certified Tier 3 engine prompts cost-effective redesign

Manufacturers of offroad vehicles have been meeting increasingly stringent emissions standards for the past several years, and Deere & Company is no exception. Starting in 2006, in particular, Tier 3 regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency require specific reductions of oxides of nitrogen in nonroad diesel engines. Deere has developed a family of new EPA-certified Tier 3 engines for use in its range of offroad equipment.

In the case of one combine harvester, fitting surrounding components to a new Tier 3 engine led Deere engineers and two of the company’s suppliers along a path of intensive cost analysis and redesign. The Tier 3 engine was a different size than the previous engine, so modifications to the basic combine platform were needed

A major assembly slated for redesign was the swingout landing deck, which has an integrated ladder that provides access to the combine during maintenance. The entire device swivels from the side or rear of the combine at a height of about 6 feet from the ground. The service person can then pull out the ladder, climb up several steps to the secure footing of the landing deck, and attend to equipment maintenance.

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