Kohler engines is actively involved in the realm of construction equipment industry, offering eco-friendly prime mover solutions across the globe.

Alok Kumar, Associate Director, Sales & Service, Kohler Engines – India

What types of engines do you manufacture specifically for construction equipment?

Kohler offers a comprehensive range of Diesel, Gasoline and Gas engines up to 140 hp of power – adopted globally by machine and equipment manufacturers. In the construction sector, our engines are used in all types of equipment like forklift, mini loader, backhoe, excavator, wheel loader, skid steer loader, track loader, concrete mixture, plate and reversible compactor, vibrating plate, compressors, drum roller, dumper, drilling rigs, telehandler and so on.

How do you ensure the reliability of your engines in demanding construction environments?

For us at Kohler, irrespective of the industry whether it is construction or agriculture or industrial, we believe that an excellent reliability produces an environment that allows the complete utilization of the asset by maintaining close to capacity. There are four elements to reliability which start from function to probability-of-success, to duration, and finally the environment.

We have state of the art machines installed at the shop floor in which the manual intervention is minimal, and it is mostly through automated processes. We have adopted CMMS and have improved work accountability amongst the team. As an organization, we ensure proper training of the team and have created a balanced maintenance schedule. Customers are realizing the reliability benefit in terms of warranty period, cost and ultimately the increased performance of their equipment for the longer duration of time in all kinds of terrains & conditions.

How do you handle customizing engines to meet specific requirements or preferences of construction equipment manufacturers?

Kohler engines is actively involved in the realm of construction equipment industry, offering eco-friendly prime mover solutions across the globe. The company’s primary objective is to make sustainability accessible to all by providing emission friendly Stage V/ Euro IV/ Trem IV engine solutions across different regions. We have engines varying from naturally aspirated (NA) version to TC to aftercooled (TCA), and are designed such a way that offers flexibility to construction equipment manufacturer. We have various PTO options, dipstick positioning options, mounting options, 360-degree serviceability options, so we as an independent engine manufacturer are equipped to provide customization as per the equipment and as per the various emission regulations.

How do you handle after-sales service and support for engines?

Kohler as an independent manufacturer work on a model of self-serviced OEM’s and provide back-end support like Service training, factory training, conducts train-the-trainer program on regular basis. Apart from this we have VAP (value added partners) across the nation, and they are well equipped to provide all spares, service or even AMC to the equipment which are powered by Kohler engines. Any domestic or global OEM’s can get benefit of deep routed global after-sales service network. Indian construction equipment companies can export the machines with a Kohler engine to any part of the world and utilize Kohler after-sales network.

How do you ensure your engines comply with environmental regulations & emissions standards?

Kohler policy doesn’t allow the manufacturing of any engine which doesn’t comply to prevailing environment regulation. So, it’s not a matter of choice, it’s a MUST Have for us.

Our compliance department, which is responsible for making the company’s processes and products comply with the standards of national, international and internal corporate regulatory authorities. In essence, compliance engineers make sure that the business grows while complying with the regulations that govern the industry, in all areas in which it operates, with a view to continuous environmental and social improvement.

What investments do you make in research and development to improve your engines?

Kohler is investing regularly in technology upgradation at engineering, product and plant level.

In India, Kohler has invested heavily for an additional engine production line at existing engine factory for production of the New KSD engines which is going for SOP from this Month. These high torque (120 NM @ 1800 rpm) engines meeting Stage V, Euro IV, BSVI emission regulation. Additionally, a substantial investment is planned for a new engines manufacturing facility in India to extend the range of Kohler Engines in India.

On the R&D as well there are major investments in Manpower and other resources at our Kohler ITC (India Technical Center) as well as the R&D Team in Aurangabad and at our Italy HO.

Are you exploring any new technologies or trends that could impact the construction equipment industry?

With the push toward progressive decarbonization and the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, new technologies are projecting themselves ahead of our sector. Kohler’s ongoing commitment to decarbonization does not set aside ICE technology but transforms it by continuing to invest in internal combustion engines that can provide clean, affordable energy to customers for years to come.

Technological changes will not happen at the same time in all customer segments, and currently there is still no single solution for all needs. Our strategy includes multiple avenues to be pursued: alternative fuels, more economical and logistically manageable; electrification and hybridization, to reduce engine size or achieve zero emissions during operation; and hydrogen as a potential green source fuel.

Any other information that you would like to add.

We are an independent engine manufacturer with 100+ years of global experience. So, any construction equipment or agriculture equipment manufacturer are most welcome to explore Kohler highly fuel efficient, compact, minimal sound, least vibration, emission compliant, commercially competitive engine for their present or future requirements.

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