John Deere Power Systems, a worldwide manufacturer of internal combustion engine systems, is committed to relentlessly improving their products to achieve exceptional operating performance. In an effort to verify the dependability of their products, JDPS incorporates a rigorous engine testing program. BYU capstone team 21 was asked to design a dynamic engine test stand that increases the test and installation design capabilities of John Deere by effectively simulating off-level running conditions for their engines.

The existing production test stand is a large table with a rotating platform that also tilts in one direction and has several disadvantages. Among which are having a maximum tilt angle of 57°, taking three hours to completely test an engine, only testing orientation and not the effects of motion on the engine, and the stand is raised high above the floor. The new stand that the team developed is capable of testing the complete product line of John Deere engines while they operate at full power. The engine can be pitched and rolled ± 90° while shaking the engine in the axial and transverse directions with amplitude of ± 3 inches at 1 cycle per second. Using the dynamic test stand, John Deere can verify the installation of any of their engines in an extremely wide range of applications. The stand will position the engine at high angles and technicians will be able to monitor oil pressure and how the motion of the engine affects oil pressure and overall power output of the engine.