Yanmar Dyno 6: Engineering the Future of Cleaner Engines

Across the global engine industry, the challenge is becoming increasingly clear. Regulations are tightening, emissions standards are evolving, and manufacturers must improve environmental performance while maintaining reliability and efficiency.

For Yanmar, this challenge is closely connected to a long-term sustainability commitment and the wider YANMAR GREEN CHALLENGE 2050, Yanmar’s global initiative to achieve carbon neutrality.

“Yanmar has made a commitment that by 2050 we’ll be carbon neutral,” explains Jeff Albright, President of Yanmar America. “That means that we’re going to balance the carbon we produce, whether it be our engines or equipment, with the carbon we save. We feel that our job is to be a good steward of the environment and reduce the total carbon emissions and greenhouse gas emissions we contribute.”

Delivering on that commitment requires continuous innovation and the ability to test and refine new technologies long before they reach customers.

At Yanmar America’s facility in Adairsville, Georgia, a major investment is helping to make that possible. A new advanced engine testing facility, known internally as Dyno 6, has recently been installed to support the development of the next generation of cleaner industrial engines.

An essential tool for engine development

A dynamometer is a machine used to measure engine performance under controlled conditions. By recreating real-world operating scenarios during testing, engineers can analyze how engines behave and refine the systems that reduce environmental impact.

For Yanmar’s industrial engine development teams, the dyno facilities are central to testing, analyzing, and refining new engine technologies.

“There have been dynamometers here since Yanmar’s US operations moved from the Chicago headquarters,” explains Adam Brandt, R&D Manager at Yanmar America. “The major changes really started in 2018. At that point, Yanmar decided to establish localized research and development capabilities in the United States.”

That decision marked the beginning of a significant expansion of engineering capability in North America.

“My first project was building Dyno 5,” Brandt explains. “The new dyno we’re discussing now is essentially the next step in that process. It’s another piece of the puzzle that allows us to carry out more complete R&D work here in the U.S., and support development across our full engine line-up.”

Preparing for the next stage of emissions standards

Much of the work taking place in the dyno cells today focuses on preparing for the next phase of emissions regulations for off-road diesel engines.

“Right now, the biggest driver is the proposed Tier 5 emissions regulations for off-road engines,” Brandt explains. “We’re working with our engineering teams in Japan to develop the next generation of engines and aftertreatment systems that will meet those requirements.”

Meeting those standards will require significant advances in emissions control technologies.

“One of the biggest challenges with Tier 5 will be the reduction of NOx emissions,” Brandt says. “For engines over 56 kW, the reduction requirements are very aggressive.”

Developing solutions for those targets requires years of research, engineering, and testing.

“If you wait until the regulation is finalized before starting development, you’re already too late.”

Facilities such as Dyno 6 allow engineers to evaluate technologies and refine emissions strategies long before new standards take effect.

Expanding capability with Dyno 6

The installation of Dyno 6 represents a major expansion of Yanmar America’s development capability.

The new facility builds on Yanmar’s existing dyno infrastructure, significantly expanding what engineers can test and measure. Earlier dynos primarily measured engine performance and durability, while Dyno 5 and Dyno 6 are designed as full emissions development facilities.

One of the most important improvements is the ability to measure emissions at multiple points during the same test.

“Dyno 5 measures emissions at one location at a time,” Brandt says. “Dyno 6 allows us to measure two locations simultaneously, such as engine-out emissions as well as post after-treatment or tailpipe emissions.”

This expanded capability allows engineers to better understand how emissions control systems behave throughout a wide range of operating conditions, helping them optimise engine and aftertreatment performance.

Supporting OEM partners

Although the dyno facilities play a central role in Yanmar’s development programs, they also support OEM partners that integrate Yanmar engines into their own equipment.

One example is Thermo King, a global manufacturer of climate-control solutions for transportation.

“Our refrigerated systems are installed on trailers and box trucks and maintain temperature control for perishable goods during transportation,” explains Adam Carey from Thermo King’s Engine Center of Excellence.

These units support a wide range of supply chains, from grocery distribution and pharmaceutical logistics to the transport of temperature-sensitive goods.

Because the engines are installed within enclosed refrigeration systems, ensuring reliable performance in those conditions is critical.

“If an OEM partner installs one of our engines inside an engine compartment or enclosure, we need to verify that the engine still operates correctly in that environment,” Brandt explains. “If the installation restricts airflow, it can cause overheating of the engines cooling system or electronics, and that could affect performance and reliability.”

The advantage of local development

For partners like Thermo King, the expansion of Yanmar’s research and development capabilities in North America has already improved the speed and responsiveness of engineering collaboration.

“Our experience working with Yanmar’s engineering and application support teams has been very positive,” Carey says. “They’ve proven to be a very hands-on partner.”

Having emissions and performance testing capabilities located in the United States allows engineers from both companies to collaborate more directly during product development.

“When Thermo King introduces a new technology, emissions and performance testing are critical steps in validating the solution,” Carey explains. “Having those tests conducted locally in the United States helps us ensure that the systems not only meet, but often exceed, regulatory requirements.”

Local testing also helps engineers understand regional factors that may influence performance.

“It also helps us explore regional sensitivities that can affect performance, such as fuel quality, fuel type, and composition,” Carey says.

Investing in the future

For Albright, the installation of Dyno 6 reflects more than a technical upgrade. It represents a long-term investment in engineering capability, customer collaboration, and environmental responsibility.

“Our new dynamometer shows that we are here to stay,” he says. “We’re committed not only to being a leader in emission reduction, but also to being a leader in this marketplace.”

“OEMs can partner with us and trust that we’re going to help them solve both current and future regulatory challenges,” Albright adds.

As emissions regulations evolve and sustainability targets become more ambitious, facilities like Dyno 6 will play an increasingly important role in developing the cleaner engine technologies needed for the future.

By expanding its engineering capabilities in North America and strengthening collaboration with customers and global R&D teams, Yanmar is helping shape the next generation of industrial engines. Together, these efforts support the wider ambitions of the YANMAR GREEN CHALLENGE 2050, advancing technologies that will help reduce emissions and move the industry toward a more sustainable future.

*The titles and positions of the interviewees are as of the date of the interview.