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Could you not simply copy the 40 year old tractors almost exactly. Any patents should be expired.
by jay_kyburz 7y ago
Could you not simply copy the 40 year old tractors almost exactly. Any patents should be expired.
- andybalholm 7y agoNope. If you did, I'm pretty sure the EPA would shut you down. Emissions regulations aren't quite as strict for tractors as for cars and trucks, but they are headed in the same direction. I don't think it's possible to meet emissions without computerized controls. And once you've put hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of electronics on the tractor, it's hard to resist the temptation to add DRM.
- jay_kyburz 7y agoI know nothing about engines and found this article a good introduction about how computer controls help reduce emissions. https://www.pitchcare.com/news-media/diesel-engine-emissions-all-you-need-to-know.html https://www.pitchcare.com/news-media/diesel-engine-emissions...
- jdboyd 7y agoI think that you would have a hard time getting EPA approval if you starting making brand new copies of legacy engine designs. A new diesel tractor engine has to meet EPA Final Tier 4/ Stage IV standards. I don't know what would stand in the way of making a knock off of the 4440 chassis and transmission that uses a new Cummins or other crate engine though.