Page 34: of Marine News Magazine (November 2026)

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Tech Feature

Propulsion

Proven on the

Water:

Inside Field Testing of the New

John Deere Marine Engines

By Vince Rodomista, John Deere Power Systems rom commercial tugs to passenger ferries, extensive Europe, the trials accumulated thousands of operating hours ? eld trials reveal how a high pressure common-rail under demanding conditions, helping validate performance fuel system, extended maintenance intervals, and across a broad spectrum of commercial marine applications.

F remote connectivity are establishing a new standard for heavy-duty marine propulsion. High-Pressure Common-Rail Tech

Whether pushing cargo along coastal waterways, navi- Central to the design of the JD14 and JD18 is the adop- gating rough offshore ? shing grounds, or keeping passen- tion of a High-Pressure Common-Rail (HPCR) fuel sys- ger ferry schedules running on time, commercial marine tem. By bringing advanced electronic control to fuel deliv- operations demand continuous, reliable power. To meet ery rather than relying on traditional mechanical linkages, these real-world conditions, John Deere Power Systems the HPCR system precisely manages fuel pressure, timing, engineered its new 13.6L JD14 marine engine, delivering and injection duration across all engine speeds.

400 to 789 hp (298 to 588 kW), and 18.0L JD18 marine This precise electronic management translates into op- engine, delivering 550 to 789 hp (410 to 588 kW), from erational bene? ts on the water. Optimized fuel burn under the ground up for heavy-duty commercial applications. changing engine loads allows operators to meet certi? ed

To evaluate engine performance in actual working condi- NOx emissions standards without needing EGR or exhaust tions, John Deere conducted an extensive ? eld trial program aftertreatment. This enables vessels to maintain optimized across a diverse ? eet of commercial ? shing vessels, tugs, pas- fuel ef? ciency during heavy towing, long transits, and con- senger ferries, and high-speed passenger catamarans. Across tinuous-duty work. The HPCR system also utilizes pilot 15 test engines, including eight JD14 engines and seven injection, delivering small fuel bursts prior to main ignition

JD18 engines, deployed throughout North America and to smooth out combustion and dampen engine vibration. 34 | MN November 2026