Creating performance by mixing old with new

26 October 2001

Creating performance by mixing old with new

LOWER running costs and improved performance are promised from a new range of engines developed by Perkins. They will replace the 1000 Series currently used in Massey Ferguson, Landini, McCormick and JCB farm tractors, as well as the majority of telescopic handlers.

Covering power outputs from 50hp to 175hp with nine different variants, the Perkins 1100 Series uses a mix of traditional and new technologies to improve on the current engines and comply with European Stage 2 exhaust emissions regulations being introduced from January 2003.

The three and four-cylinder engines, both turbo and naturally-aspirated, are the most radical in terms of design. With power outputs from 50hp to 100hp, they feature an open top block design and an inlet manifold incorporated into what is now a cross-flow cylinder head. Swept volume has been increased from 1 litre to 1.1 litre/cylinder thanks to larger bores and a longer stroke.

The six-cylinder engine is more traditional, being derived from the current 1000 Series. But while it lacks the new block and cylinder head design, it still incorporates many of the features and technologies of the smaller engines.

These include an electronic engine management system that comes as standard on the six-cylinder but is optional on the four-cylinder design because of the smaller engines wider range of applications.

The electronic system, which controls the low pressure, rotary pump fuel system and governor responses, gives the opportunity to dial-up different power and torque characteristics from the same engine. It also allows fly by wire controls to be used and integration of engine performance with smart transmissions and hydraulics.

All three engines also feature green oil and fuel filters. These use permanent plastic canisters, housing an element that can be cleaned up for disposal by burning; traditional filters usually end up in landfill sites.

Performance wise, the three and four-cylinder engines deliver more power and torque, especially at the low end of the rev range. One of the four-cylinder motors, for example, has 41% more low-end torque than the equivalent 1000 Series engine.

At the same time, ownership costs are being driven down. Fuel consumption is improved between 1% and 6%, say Perkins engineers, while service intervals are doubled from 250 to 500hrs. Oil consumption is further reduced thanks to tighter piston-to-cylinder tolerances and more precise honing of the bores.

Noise and vibration have also come in for attention, in-line with customer demands for quieter and more comfortable tractors and other diesel-engined vehicles. Reduced piston slap, an accoustically dampened gear case, an isolated top cover and quieter gears combine to cut noise by as much as 50%. The engine note is also deeper and less harsh on the ear.

Agricultural vehicle manufacturers are not obliged to start using the engines until 1 Jan, 2003 in the case of the six-cylinder engines and not until 2004 as far as the three and four-cylinder units are concerned. But with significant improvements across all areas, Perkins is confident that some will want to gain a competitive advantage by fitting the new engines sooner rather than later. &#42

Among innovative features of the three and four-cylinder Perkins 1100 Series engines is an open top block in which the cylinders are separate from the outer casting for about two-thirds of their length. This reduces combustion-generated vibration being transmitted through the block and minimises cylinder distortion – so tighter piston tolerances can be used for reduced slap. This also cuts noise, as well as oil consumption.

Perkins 1100 Series- 50-175hp

1104 4cyl 4.4 litre Mechanical or

Electronic FI

1106 6cyl 6.0 litre Electronic FI