Perkins Adds High-Power Variant to 904 Series Range

The engine offers end users up to 1000-hour oil and fuel filter intervals and gives customers greater fuel flexibility, as the engine is compatible with B20 biodiesel blends, as well as 100-percent HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil), and other sustainable fuels that meet Perkins specified fuel standards.
March 24, 2026
2 min read

Pushing the boundaries of Perkins’ diesel platforms to deliver more power from a compact package, Perkins is introducing a new high-power variant into the proven 904 Series range. The engine was shown at the recent Conexpo Show in Las Vegas.

The new 904J-E36TTA is designed to deliver 173 hp (129 kW) and 546 lb ft (740 Nm) at 1500 rpm of power density from a 3.6 litre engine. It joins an engine platform, which already includes a 74 hp (55 kW) model and a 142 hp (106 kW) power boosted variant, introduced in 2025. 

The new high-power variant meets various emissions standards including EU Stage V, U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final and Korea Stage V. It offers end users up to 1000-hour oil and fuel filter intervals and gives customers greater fuel flexibility, as the engine is compatible with B20 biodiesel blends, as well as 100-percent HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil), and other sustainable fuels that meet Perkins specified fuel standards. 

To achieve up to 173 hp (129 kW) from the proven 3.6 litre platform, engineers have strengthened the core for increased power, torque and robustness, and have added a twin turbo to support increased power response, and altitude capability. The resized engine mounted aftertreatment system meets high power requirements, ensuring transparent, maintenance-free operation in a compact package, while the optimized combustion system delivers maximum power efficiency, while maintaining dependability. A larger sump has been introduced to support service intervals of up to 1000 hours. 

The 173 hp (129 kW) offering has been designed for low fluid consumption while delivering the required power across high, medium and low load operations for a range of equipment including wheel excavators, dumper trucks, soil compactors, backhoe loaders, asphalt pavers and telehandlers.

“We’re proud to introduce the latest 904 Series engine, a high-power addition to our full diesel line-up which is built for our customers’ toughest challenges,” said Hemmings. “The new twin-turbo 173 horsepower (129 kW) engine has been specifically designed to meet customers’ ongoing needs for higher torque, greater uptime, and lower total operating costs. It offers serious power from a small package, thereby boosting machine capability without increasing the engine size or its complexity.”

 

About the Author

Michael Roth

Editor

Michael Roth has covered the equipment rental industry full time for RER since 1989 and has served as the magazine’s editor in chief since 1994. He has nearly 30 years experience as a professional journalist. Roth has visited hundreds of rental centers and industry manufacturers, written hundreds of feature stories for RER and thousands of news stories for the magazine and its electronic newsletter RER Reports. Roth has interviewed leading executives for most of the industry’s largest rental companies and manufacturers as well as hundreds of smaller independent companies. He has visited with and reported on rental companies and manufacturers in Europe, Central America and Asia as well as Mexico, Canada and the United States. Roth was co-founder of RER Reports, the industry’s first weekly newsletter, which began as a fax newsletter in 1996, and later became an online newsletter. Roth has spoken at conventions sponsored by the American Rental Association, Associated Equipment Distributors, California Rental Association and other industry events and has spoken before industry groups in several countries. He lives and works in Los Angeles when he’s not traveling to cover industry events.