5 minute read
The new Vanguard 29.9 Gross kW BIG BLOCKTM EFI / ETC
A petrol power solution that not only delivers the brute power and torque that customers demand, but also offers a whole lot more – and it could just be the reason to rethink your engine choice.
For many years, diesel engines have been considered the ideal solution for sectors such as construction and agriculture where big power is essential. But while these may have done an adequate job in the past, things have changed and now there’s a more modern solution for today’s power requirements.
The technological advancements of petrol engine designs mean that many of the traditional diesel-powered applications can now be carried out by electronic fuel injected (EFI) petrol engines. Offering the benefits of more consistent power, fuel efficiency, automatic altitude adjustments, fewer emissions and less maintenance, EFI can be considered a truly empowering alternative.
What is EFI and ETC?
It’s not an exaggeration to describe EFI as a game changer. EFI eliminates the need for a carburetor that mixes air and fuel within petrol engines. It injects fuel directly into an engine’s manifold or cylinder port using electronic controls, while still delivering similar power and performance to diesel. EFI technology has been used across various large applications for decades, but now it can be highly effective within smaller engines too.
Vanguard®, for example, has a range of V-Twin EFI petrol engines from 17.2 to 29.9 Gross kW (23 to 40 Gross HP)* that address many of the concerns relating to the use of smaller diesel engines in the European market today, such as those found on generators, shredders, and other similarly sized equipment. The all-new Vanguard 29.9kW BIG BLOCK™ V-Twin featuring EFI and electronic throttle control (ETC) technology, specifically offers a wide range of benefits for those who decide to choose an alternative to diesel.
As the direct result of close collaboration with market-leading OEMs who demand brute power and torque, the Vanguard 29.9kW EFI engine is actually the most powerful model in Vanguard’s EFI line-up. It provides improved stale fuel resistance, increased performance with easier starting and operation, and boosts overall efficiency. It’s an exceptional power source – and the finest example of EFI technology being used to its full potential.
But what exactly are the advantages of EFI and what makes an engine like Vanguard’s so unique? Let’s explore the benefits:
EFI petrol engines generally offer a superior power-to-weight ratio, particularly when compared to their diesel counterparts. The advanced system ensures that the engine delivers more usable power from a similar block of weight to their carburetor alternatives – and this benefit is only amplified in the highest quality engine designs.
For instance, when examining the aforementioned Vanguard 29.9kW EFI engine, you’ll quickly notice a compact design with an exceptional power-to-weight ratio. Its reduced engine weight, compared to a diesel alternative, enables the overall equipment to be lighter, which ensures easier maneuverability and reduced towing power requirements. This, in turn, leads to lower CO2 emissions produced by the vehicles transporting the equipment to and from the site.
The favourable power-to-weight ratio means that the new Vanguard 29.9kW EFI engine is an ideal power solution for weight sensitive applications too – or for towable equipment where the overarching aim is to stay below the maximum authorized mass for a standard license.
Another key attribute of EFI engines is the intelligence they offer. EFI allows for remote operation and can be used in unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and even unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This is, in part, due to the engine’s choke-less starting capability and improved all-weather startability.
Diagnostics via laptop
EFI intelligence also enables engine diagnostics via laptop, making it easier than ever to identify issues before having to remove anything from the engine. This significantly reduces troubleshooting time and repair time, which consequently increases equipment uptime, boosts productivity and lowers the total cost of ownership (TCO) as less time is required to repair the engine. In addition, EFI engines can be updated to the latest factory software easily, ensuring they’re always operating in optimal condition thanks to their programmable electronic control unit (ECU).
That’s not all. When combined with ETC technology, EFI engines can produce the required torque, together with optimized load acceptance, to provide the perfect alternative to diesel. This can be seen most clearly in the Vanguard 29.9kW EFI engine, which has already established itself as the preferred power source in chipper shredders originally powered by diesel.
Vanguard’s ETC technology delivers power-on-demand – in other words, instant power when it’s needed most. This helps to reduce ‘governor droop’ as load is applied to the equipment, maintaining better engine RPM as the load is increased. The end result is more power, better performance and ultimately more torque. What’s more the engine’s temperature manifold absolute pressure (TMAP) sensor allows for altitude compensation on engine start up, meaning the engine will deliver smoother more consistent performance when working at high elevations.
To add to the intelligence, EFI engines emit fewer emissions than diesel models because they deliver air and fuel with more accuracy than a carburetor engine. This helps to improve fuel efficiency for reduced operational costs. However, it’s always worth checking to see that the engine adheres to the relevant emissions regulations to be certain of its credentials.
Vanguard’s 29.9kW EFI engine, for example, is designed to be EU Stage 5 and global emissions compliant and does not require an expensive after treatment filter system or diesel particulate filter (DPF) to remove particulate matter or soot from the exhaust gas.
Not only does this help reduce the upfront capital costs, but it also makes the engine an ideal power solution for inner city work where ultra-low emissions zones may limit the use of diesel while providing the power and robust durability contractors expect.
Amidst the turbulent economic times of late, it’s fair to say that businesses everywhere are striving to save money wherever and however they can. EFI engines offer advantages in this crucial area too – helping to lower the TCO of equipment in a number of different ways.
Fuel economy
As already mentioned, EFI can offer excellent fuel economy savings, but just as with many other power sources, it’s worth pointing out that this is very much application and usage dependent. For example, in a commercial mower where a carbureted petrol engine works way below its maximum load, it’s possible to make considerable fuel savings with EFI. However, within an application where the engine is working at 100% load, there may be little-to-no fuel savings at all.
A certainty is that EFI engines have a great tolerance for stale fuel – which is an issue for almost all engines that are kept in storage for extended periods of time, particularly seasonal applications such as wood chippers that that may not be used over winter months. It means there’s less of a requirement for expensive maintenance or repair work due to stale fuel in the system or fuel gumming.
While there are multiple EFI options on the market, it’s crucial to choose the right manufacturer carefully; someone who can become your trusted partner rather than just a seller. Vanguard, for example, is committed to delivering the best possible solutions with the right amount of power – in addition to to the application expertise and world-class support you need to make the most of them.
Vanguard’s dedicated team of application engineers, based in regional power application centers (PAC), will work with you to integrate new EFI and ETC petrol technology into your current carbureted or diesel powered application to ensure optimal performance. This helps to fast-track development times and reduce engineering resources and costs. With over 110 years of power application expertise, it’s fair to say that Vanguard understands how to apply power like no other manufacturer.
Furthermore, all Vanguard engines are supplied with a three year limited commercial warranty and are backed by a factory-trained global service and support network. It means that, all-in-all, an engine like the Vanguard 29.9kW EFI engine is an empowering alternative to diesel – and a power solution you can trust.
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Did you know that our commercial engines are covered by a 3-yeat limited warranty? Learn more about our global warranties.
