And you're missing the point that I've ALREADY talked to my dealer about this. He's told me point blank that it will make NO difference in my warranty coverage. And he's the one that would be doing any warranty work on my tractor. So I'll take his word over yours. Any day.
As ptsg stated (correctly), they sell this EXACT same tractor in other countries with the only difference being there is a muffler where the U.S. version's soot cooker goes. There is a soot cooker, and a data logger on the U.S. version. By removing only those 2 things, you eliminate the entire "emissions system" on these models. No other changes or "mods" are needed. There is NO computer system, nothing to "hack", no fuel system changes need to be made. Several members here have already done this. Each one has stated it made a performance gain by removing.
There is no risk.
Sorry, wrong answer. There IS risk to anyone who tampers with any emissions system, and or removes or modifies its components. (I'll link to the appropriate EPA regulations and specifically their extensive fine(s) for individuals and manufacturers later in this post).
First let me dispel the notion that seems to wrongly conclude that back pressure would occur by removing emissions components. I never said that- what I posed for the OP, was that using several 90's or 180's in modifying his tractor exhaust could cause issues, that's all, nothing more.
I'm not creating any drama, or controversy. I am stating facts about how things are done here in the USA, NOT Portugal, or anywhere in Europe; which has NO bearing on the OP's engine whatsoever. And if people want to do a comparison of USA to Europe roll back to Volkswagen, Porsche/Audi for the clearest example of EPA enforcement of defeat and tampering with US compliance for diesel vehicles. If there are violations they will prosecute, and obviously do and have to date, from the USA all the way to Europe they beat the manufacturers of those vehicles into submission for all the reasons well known to the entire World. They're serious as a heart attack about non-compliance, and people modding mandated emissions systems...
On or off road engines are all covered by the the EPA's emission rules. And while on the subject of European diesels, road use diesels are being banned in numerous cities across Europe as we discuss this topic. Not yet applied to off road like tractors, but it will likely soon follow, or an alternative like US emission devices- no one knows currently.
Here is the EPA fines and penalty document:
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/documents/vehicleengine-penalty-policy_0.pdf
And here is an excerpt from the 30+ page doc:
Under Section 205(a) of the Act, 42 U.S.C. 8 7524(a), the maximum penalty for
violations of the vehicle and engine requirements under Title I1 of the Act is $25,000 per vehicle
or engine, with two exceptions.
The maximum penalty for violations of the tampering
prohibition when committed by any person other than a manufacturer is $2,500 per vehicle, and
the maximum penalty for violations of the defeat device prohibition is $2,500 per device.
These
maximum penalty amounts were increased from $25,000 to $32,500 and from $2,500 to
$2,750 for violations occurring after March 15,2004, through January 12,2009,
and to $37,500
and $3,750 for violations occurring thereafter (see Civil Monetarv Penalty Inflation Ad-iustment
m, 69 Fed. Reg. 7 12 1 (Feb. 13,2004) and Civil Monetarv Penalty Inflation Adiustment Rule,
73 Fed. Reg. 75340 (Dec. 11,2008)).
So there are the FACTS. And what one's dealer tells them doesn't change anything. If you mod your engine and your dealer looks the other way about you having done so, they and the manufacturer would likely get dragged into any action taken against the tractor owner.
Regardless of what they tell you now, it's NOT in writing, and no smart dealer would put their manufacturer in the bind of having to go against the EPA on warranty on a modified engine. No smart manufacturer would attempt to warranty a non-compliant engine for one customer, especially since you the buyer did the mods.
Removal IS a violation, regardless of any, 'it runs so much better claims' made by an owner.
Personally, I don't care what any individual owner chooses to do to their engine/exhaust, etc. I get it that tier 4 final is a cumbersome regulation on tractors and their owners; a large part of my not buying anything past tier 4 prior to final specks. It is however the law of the land, like it or not. Tamper with it at one's own risk. Remember, ignorance of the law is not an excuse.
What I do care about is pointing out to those who may be misinformed about the law and fines that could easily be imposed, that they DO exist, and the statement that the EPA says NOTHING about anybody but the manufacture having to comply, and NOT modify a EPA specked engine, is ill informed and wrong. Just because people have done it, and results were supposedly better performance is not the point. Modifying is breaking federal law. The RISK is stated above. It IS enforceable.
Do what you want to- and don't shoot the messenger - I'm merely stating facts.
