DEF for Tractors and Combine Harvesters

Many newer non-road tractors, combine harvesters and other farm vehicles that run on diesel now use selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology to reduce emissions. SCR requires a fluid called Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) in the US.

SCR technology helps minimize nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions into the atmosphere making the vehicles cleaner and more environmentally friendly to use. It also helps them meet strict EPA standards.

A supplier trusted by farmers

Farmers and the farming community in the US know Yara as the leader in mineral fertilizers. Yara is also a pioneer of Diesel Exhaust Fluid. We helped create the ISO standard for DEF, alongside the manufacturers of diesel engines.

You can rely on Yara, as we are the market leader with a production capacity of 2,8 Mt of DEF a year – the largest in the world. Yara has a network of five DEF production plants around the world, which provide the tractor and off road machinery needs:

  • Belle Plaine, Canada
  • Sluiskil, Netherlands
  • Le Havre, France
  • Ferrara, Italy
  • Brunsbüttel, Germany

See more about our crop nutrition solutions

Ed Wells
Ed Wells
VP, Environmental Solutions
+1 813 222 5700

Learn more about DEF for farm vehicles

Where to buy? First-time buyers Packaging sizes Effects on fuel economy ISO standards DEF for other NRMM

Where can I buy DEF for my tractor or non-road mobile machinery?

We have a network of official DEF suppliers. See your local Yara website.

DEF is also usually available at:

  • Your usual diesel or lubricant reseller
  • Specialized spare part suppliers for engines of tractors and other non-road machinery
  • Participating service stations where you can buy DEF in cans, in case of emergency

Warning: DEF is also sold from the pump at gas stations, but please check whether you can fill your tractor or off-road machinery vehicle at these facilities, as usually only trucks and buses can.

Advice for first-time DEF buyers

If you've bought a new tractor or off road machinery with an SCR system and are uncertain what volume of DEF you will need, we can help. We can also offer advice about which storage solution for DEF will suit you best depending on your tractor, combine harvester or other SCR using non-road machine.

We understand your work conditions and have developed a specific range of equipment for your needs in the field or on the farm – even where you have little storage space or where there is no power supply. 

Packaging sizes

Yara's DEF is sold in packs that allow for easy transport. Choose from a comprehensive range of pack sizes to suit your needs. 

Our range includes:

  • 1 and 2.5 gallon DEF bottles
  • 55 gallon DEF drums
  • 275 and 330 gallon DEF IBCs
  • Bulk supplied by road tankers

How much Diesel Exhaust Fluid will I need?

DEF consumption for non-road engines varies according to:

  • The type of machinery you are operating - tractor, combine harvester etc 
  • How heavy a load you are moving 
  • Model and engine type

In all cases, your DEF consumption will be lower than your diesel consumption.

We can help you work out how much DEF you will need, then offer you the best DEF solution for your site from our range of pack sizes.

What effect does DEF have on fuel economy for tractors and non-road engines?

Engines equipped with SCR motors consume on average 5 % less fuel than other machines. This saving in fuel cost easily compensates for the cost of Diesel Exhaust Fluid. 

As a result, the operating costs of tractors and other off-road machinery will generally be lower than those of comparable vehicles that have chosen exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) technology or that don't use SCR technology.

The price of DEF depends on how much you order. In general, the price per liter of DEF is well below the price of diesel at the pump.

High quality end-to-end process to meet ISO standards

Diesel Exhaust Fluid is a 32.5 % synthetic urea solution that is very pure. It is produced according to the ISO 22241 (ISO-22241-1, ISO-22241-2, ISO-22241-3) standard. 

Yara's DEF is produced from "primary" or "virgin" urea extracted directly from the production of hot urea melt to avoid impurities. It is very different from urea used for mineral fertilizers that is not as pure. Yara's DEF uses specially treated demineralized water. 

To maintain its purity, our DEF is transported in dedicated road tankers, trucks and railcars or by pipeline to dedicated terminals. Each batch of DEF produced in a Yara plant is always analyzed first.

All DEF products are not from the same quality. Given that a SCR catalyst is very sensitive to impurities, it is important for you to be able to count on a quality product through a supply chain that is dedicated to DEF. Request only the best quality for your tractor or non-road machinery.

Warning: do not just use any urea solution, especially urea that is used for fertilizers. This urea will not be of high enough quality for your engine and you risk substantial costly damage to your machinery.

DEF for other non-road mobile machinery (NRMM)

SCR technology and DEF for NOx reduction is now common in several types of non-road engines, eg:

  • Mobile cranes
  • Engines used in harbors and airports
  • Excavators, bulldozers and engines used in mines or construction
  • Trains run with diesel engines 

If you use DEF in your non-road engines and machinery and want a quote or to find out more about our service, please contact us.

Learn more about DEF

Learn more about DEF

Click on the following links to learn more about diesel exhaust fluid

DEF for trucks, vans and cars

Air1® Brand Diesel Exhaust Fluid