LaGrange, Illinois – Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc. (EMD), part of Caterpillar Inc.’s Rail Division, is proud to announce the production of its 500th Series 710 two-cycle, medium-speed marine engine. The milestone 12-cylinder “vee” engine, along with its sibling 499th production unit, is rated at 3000 bhp (2237 bkW) at 900 rpm. Both engines are certified to meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Tier 3 marine and IMO II emissions standards, and will power a U.S.-flagged tugboat equipped with a fixed pitch propulsion system.
Brian Grinter, Director of EMD’s Power Products Sales business, reflected on the resurgence of marine and industrial engine sales over the past several years stating, “EMD’s unique two-cycle, medium-speed engine continues to win praise of owners and operators around the world for benchmark performance, durability and low life cycle cost. Our customers realize the tangible benefits of our engine’s exclusive features to their value stream every day, and this milestone engine validates our growing position in the marketplace.”
The EMD 710 Engine a Proven Legacy with an Exciting Future
“The architecture of the 710 two-cycle engine dates back almost 75 years to the first Series 567 two-cycle engines that powered the U.S. Navy’s fleet of Landing Ship Tank (LST) vessels in World War II,” affirmed Grinter. “Since World War II, the engine has undergone an evolution of comprehensive improvements to performance, reliability, serviceability and cost of ownership. Together with its Series 567 and Series 645 predecessors, the Series 710 engine is built on a legacy of more than72,500 engines delivered worldwide.”
Beginning with the U.S. EPA’s Tier 2 emissions regulations, engine manufacturers were required to significantly reduce engine oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions. In the course of Tier 2 development work, EMD engineers found that the Series 710 responded favorably to emissions reduction efforts, and even found several advantages over how competitive engines achieve the same standard. The result was a U.S. EPA Tier 2-certified engine model that represented significant reductions in fuel and lube oil consumption from prior generations. EMD achieved this through enhancement of existing internal engine components.
“EMD’s Tier 2 engine model development has paved the way for further refinements to meet more stringent U.S. EPA Marine Tier 3 standards without the use of exhaust after treatment,” Grinter continued. “Staying true to the continuous improvement mindset, EMD’s Series 710 two-cycle engine not only meets the more stringent U.S. EPA Tier 3 emissions standards, but also does so with further improvements to fuel and lube oil consumption without consequence to its performance, ease of application and life cycle cost. We feel that we have a special product, and its many intrinsic merits yield real, measurable value for our customers in many facets of their operations, and we constantly receive positive feedback.”
EMD is actively developing products to meet forthcoming U.S. EPA Tier 4 final and IMO III solution for the two-cycle diesel as well as its natural gas solutions. “The future is certainly very exciting for EMD in the marine engine market, and EMD looks forward to supplying Series 710 medium-speed, two-cycle engines in step with its dynamic energy and regulatory landscapes,” Grinter stated.
About Electro-Motive
Founded in 1922, Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc., a subsidiary of Progress Rail Services Corp., a Caterpillar company, is an original equipment manufacturer of diesel-electric locomotives. Headquartered in LaGrange, Illinois, with additional manufacturing facilities and business offices around the world, EMD designs, manufactures and sells diesel-electric locomotives for all commercial railroad applications and has sold its products in more than 70 countries worldwide. EMD is the only diesel-electric locomotive manufacturer to have produced more than 72,500 engines and has the largest installed base in both North America and worldwide. In addition to its manufacturing activities, EMD has an extensive aftermarket business offering customers replacement parts, maintenance solutions, and a range of value-added services. EMD is also a global provider of diesel engines for marine propulsion, offshore and land-based oil well drilling rigs, and stationary power generation. Additional information may be found at www.EMDiesels.com
About Caterpillar:
For more than 85 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making sustainable progress possible and driving positive change on every continent. With 2012 sales and revenues of $65.875 billion, Caterpillar is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. The company also is a leading services provider through Caterpillar Financial Services, Caterpillar Remanufacturing Services and Progress Rail Services. More information is available at: www.caterpillar.com
Contact Information:
Address: 9301 West 55th Street, LaGrange, IL, USA, 60525
Telephone: 1 708-387-6417
Email: kbraam@progressrail.com
Web Site: www.emdpowerproducts.com
Contact Person: Kimberly Braam
