Dual element filtration. How much dust gets past? Yup…

[Hersheyfarm]

Most people seem to think that they are doing their engines a favor by keeping the filter clean. A service manager once told me that the dirtier the filter the cleaner the air going into the engine. It makes sense when you think about it. So why would you give your engine the dirtiest air possible by cleaning the filter?

I was just reading articles(I’m also posting same stuff on another site) that said just that. The dirt aids in filtration. I know one thing, if you hit the outside of the filter at all, dust will blow through the filter coming out the inside. That ain’t good.

Oh, and has anyone seen the inner filter that comes on the U48-5? Look at this, it’s just a screen. Not a heavy cloth style like most. Fine dust goes right through.

 

[jjeff]

I still briefly remember an overpriced attachment for an air hose to clean air filters, I believe it's off the market now, I also remember around the same time manufacturers warning of cleaning an air filter. I usually replace my air filters per manufacturers specs, unless I open dust unloader valve and extensive dirt flows out of it.

 

[big bubba]

changed inner filter only once in 825 hrs mostly precautionary. my parts man of many yrs mentioned it was basically a safeguard filter if primary fails. also, he mentioned one should avoid handling the inner filter other than at either ends, something about compressing fibers. just as a footnote

in terms of cleaning, always inside to out. i avoid small compressed air nozzles as they could puncture paper element. like to use a leaf blower, my tube fits into the tube filter. high volume, low pressure is what i like.
regards

 

[5030]

You always clean a pleated filter element with low pressure air from the inside out as stated in the Kubota shop manual. Only filter I know of that benefits from being dirty is a K&N. I won't use them as they pass dirty air when clean.

 

[5030]

After 6000+ hours on my M9 cab. I'd say I'm doing something right.

 

[jjeff]

After 6000+ hours on my M9 cab. I'd say I'm doing something right.

Almost 5 and 3k hrs on 30+ yr old L series Kubotas I'm doing something right.

 

[ovrszd]

We can't afford the type of filtration that would have zero contamination at the engine. Filter system is designed to only pass small enough particles that are harmless.

Blowing out air filters is serious business and can easily ruin a filter.

Anyone remember oil bath filter systems? They operate under the philosophy I mentioned above.

 

[marhar]

Most people seem to think that they are doing their engines a favor by keeping the filter clean. A service manager once told me that the dirtier the filter the cleaner the air going into the engine. It makes sense when you think about it. So why would you give your engine the dirtiest air possible by cleaning the filter?

In mfg wooden furniture the filters "bag house" did a better cleaning the air when the filters were dirty. Dust would close the tiny holes air came through. The bags would actually get so closed we would clean the bags so air would flow through.

The difference: Bag house had air blowing out the filters. An air filter has air being pulled into the filter and then the motor. With time the filter degrades and lets dust in.

An old timer told me oil is the blood, the air is the oxygen and diesel is the food.

 

[marhar]

We can't afford the type of filtration that would have zero contamination at the engine. Filter system is designed to only pass small enough particles that are harmless.

Blowing out air filters is serious business and can easily ruin a filter.

Anyone remember oil bath filter systems? They operate under the philosophy I mentioned above.

1964 Ford truck had an oil bath. I remember my father "changing the oil" in the bath once. The oil bath must have worked, the oil was dark black when he replaced it.

 

[big bubba]

yup, the stainless filter element & oil bath housing worked great for the 28 yrs i had my TO 35. w/regular clean outs did an outstanding job