Cummins Updates Medium-Duty Engines
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INDIANAPOLIS — Cummins Inc. unveiled more sustainable and fuel efficient versions of two medium-duty engines at The Work Truck Show at Indiana Convention Center on March 3.
The engines, designed to meet the Environmental Protection Agency emissions standards for 2021, feature improved fuel economy, an integrated digital platform, extended maintenance intervals and increased warranty lengths.
“Work on the B6.7 and the L9 engines began with the goal of meeting the EPA greenhouse gas phase two emissions requirements,” said Rob Neitzke, Cummins’ executive director for North American truck OEM business. “But that just gave us the opportunity to look at what customers like best about these engines and build on that and make them even better. It also gave us the opportunity to build on the legacy of these engines.”
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Neitzke added that it is a legacy that dates three decades. Cummins manufactures engines, filtration and power-generation products. The Columbus, Ind.-based company also services engine fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission control and generators.
“Of course we’re going to deliver enhancements in the areas of durability and performance, but we also took the opportunity to add features and functionality to lower the total cost of operation of these engines,” Neitzke said. “A great example of that is the extended maintenance intervals.”
The L9 achieved the improved performance through decreased friction losses and optimized combustion. The engine also includes a new piston design, improved camshaft valve timing and reduced water pump speeds.
The B6.7 was able to meet the standards through extended oil drain intervals and extended fuel filtration intervals. Cummins also is introducing a crankcase ventilation filter that requires no maintenance.
“We’re also excited about the improved connectivity of these products coming into 2021,” Neitzke said. “[For] the B6.7 engine, we have an edge module mounted on the top of that. The best way to think about this edge module is to think about it as an engineer riding along with the engine in the truck all the time.”
Neitzke added that instead of having to hook up a laptop to an engine, the module is constantly collecting information wirelessly and in real time. He noted that will help customers detect problems early.
Tom Hodek, sales and marketing director for Cummins Westport, said, “Today, the big news is the 6.7 engine … is now certified to the optional .02 gram NOx emissions level. That’s a big deal for us right now. These are optional certification levels. The standard today is 0.2 grams, and everybody is meeting that.”
The commercial application for both engines is medium-duty trucks, primarily pickup and delivery. The original equipment manufacturer said the changes in the engines resulted in fuel-efficiency improvements of 5% across the board.
The L9 touts horsepower that ranges between 260 and 380. The peak torque ranges between 860 and 1,250 pound-feet. The size of the engine is 9 liters. 6.7-liter B6.7 reaches between 200 and 325 hp with peak torque between 520-750 pound-feet.
The Work Truck Show, an annual convention for commercial vehicles, showcases vocational trucks, vans, components and truck equipment from hundreds of exhibitors.
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