R1234yf for off-highway vehicles

SNAP approval sought for broader use of YF

The United States Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has proposed that R1234yf be considered for adoption in off-road mobile machinery under the US Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP).

Representatives from AEM met with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in May to notify the regulatory body that the first of six planned risk analysis reports was underway and to discuss next steps.

AEM materials management director John Wagner said the meeting was a success in that the EPA was “pleasantly surprised” at progress made toward the first risk analysis report and that AEM was “able to learn the critical items that need to be included in the risk assessment report we will submit”.

The first vehicle type to be addressed is tractors over 40 horsepower.

Topics covered by AEM’s report must include R134a as a baseline, confirmation that no new SAE standards need to be developed and a description of available recovery equipment plus the standards it is certified to.

Representatives from AGCO, Bergstrom, Caterpillar, Chemours, CNH Industrial, Doosan Bobcat, John Deere, Kubota and Red Dot attended the meeting.