Apache喷雾器现在使用Tier 4 Final Cummins柴油发动机，使其性能更好，运行更清洁，对环境的影响更小。
But, those engines do bring with them a new maintenance issue for operators. Though it’s one with which many will likely already be familiar, it’s important to ensure diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) – a key component of the engine system – is handled and stored correctly.
The Tier 4 engines that were incorporated into all 30-series Apache Sprayers in 2016 utilize DEF to help reduce emissions. The fluid – a mixture of water and urea – is applied to diesel exhaust immediately before expulsion from the engine to cut particulate matter and Nitrogen Oxides, resulting in a much more environmentally friendly, cleaner-burning machine. Tier 4 requirements, the culmination of a multi-step phasing-in of new regulations dating back to the early 2000s, were rolled out by the U.S. Environmental protection Agency (EPA) in 2011 as a way to cut diesel emissions. Machinery manufacturers have worked toward integrating the “advanced exhaust aftertreatment” technology into their engines over the last six years, and Apache Sprayers began adjusting engine emissions and working toward Tier 4 in 2012.
第4级系统需要在油箱旁边安装一个小型DEF油箱。在一台90加仑燃油容量的机器上，DEF油箱通常在5加仑左右。虽然这种液体是一种相对简单的成分组合，但正确处理和储存它仍然很重要。Apache喷雾器应用专家克里斯·史密斯(Chris Smith)表示，如果不这样做，就会损坏流体、使用它的引擎以及周围的表面和组件。
遵循这些提示，以确保您的DEF功能符合要求，并保持您的Apache Sprayer的Tier 4引擎的寿命和寿命。
Keep things clean.
Because it is slightly corrosive, it’s important to clean up spills immediately and ensure any surface is free of DEF to avoid slow, long-term damage. “It can be hard on paint, so if you’re pouring it into your machine, you want to make sure you wipe off any excess to avoid discoloration or prevent it from eating the paint,” Smith says.
Adjust to Mother Nature.
Though it may be easy to throw a jug of DEF in the back of the pickup and keep it there until it’s time for a fill-up, that can erode the fluid’s quality. Direct sunlight can cause evaporation which can lead to imbalanced ingredients (DEF is 67.5% water and 32.5% urea) and as a result, lower efficacy. In addition to avoiding direct sunlight, it’s best to store DEF around 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Though temporary exposure to higher temperatures is okay, longer-term exposure can cause ingredient imbalance.
You don’t need to be as concerned with lower temperatures. Even if the DEF freezes, once it thaws, it is still usable. “Freezing doesn’t alter the ingredient percentages like heat does,” Smith says. “Evaporation changes the DEF completely when you lose water. But, when it freezes, the percentages stay the same and they thaw at the same time.”
Avoid cross-contamination.
Any additional chemical that’s present in your DEF can cause it to lose efficacy and can potentially damage engine components by introducing particulates or other liquids. To prevent this, use containers that aren’t used for other fluids, like engine oil or coolant. That includes large storage tanks and pumps, Smith says.
他补充说:“Apache喷雾器在DEF油箱中有高质量的传感器，所以如果污染物被检测到，就会触发错误代码，你必须把油箱排干，然后放入干净的DEF。这是机器确保你使用干净DEF的方式。”“The best way to avoid that kind of contamination is to handle it separately – with separate containers – from other engine fluids.”
Store reasonable amounts.
确保DEF不受环境污染或破坏的最佳方法是保持合理的供应量。你的农场可能不需要大量的液体供应，这取决于你需要的机器数量和机器在每个生长季节在田间运行的时间。一些农民手头只储备了几加仑，而其他人则使用400或500加仑的水箱。及时处理你手头的库存是确保DEF没有超过正常保质期的最好方法。
“A lot depends on the operator and how much fuel he or she consumes in a given year,” Smith says. “More operators are installing larger tanks, but many still use 55-gallon drums. Matching your storage to consumption will ensure your DEF stays in good shape.”
Don’t let machinery tanks get too low.
Because of the combination of ingredients, when a tank runs low on DEF, it can trigger a quality sensor error code. When a tank is low and the fluid sloshes a lot, it can become cloudy and that physical change can be construed as a quality issue by the tank sensors. By keeping DEF levels from getting too low in on-board tanks, you can avoid this issue. “Fill it up and the issue will go away,” Smith says.
In general, since Tier 4 engines have been around for a few years, many farmers and operators will likely have some familiarity with DEF. Smith says it’s important to remember not just the best practices for storing and handling the fluid, but the necessary safety precautions.
“It’s recommended that when handling DEF, you should wear goggle and gloves just like with any agricultural chemical,” he says.
See more about Apache Sprayers’ Tier 4 engines and their benefits to performance and fuel efficiency.
