Magnet Pre-filters Myth or Fact?

[awlchu]

I was reading a thread over at BITOG on magnetic pre-filters. There appears to be two types available.

http://www.emergingent.com/magnefine/force_field.htm

http://www.wetstart.com/prod_magdog.htm

Both of them are placed in front of your normal spin-on filter. It appears they divert a small percentage of your oil from the system into a cavity of magnets to trap the smaller suspended particles normally passed through the filter element(s). We're talking about the <30 micron dia particles etc.

The mag-dog is rebuildable (and be taken apart and cleaned) while the forcefield appears to be closed. Price diff is about 2x.

Does anyone have experience with these two after-market devices?

I like the idea of pulling the magnet out and visually review it.

Only the mag-dog manufacturer has posted any meaningful data sheets showing actual performance. The other does not.

Comments? Concerns?

Brian

 

[slowrev]

I am not sure about the magnetic pre-filters, however if you have a magnetic drain plug it will be fuzzy with metal when you pull it out. Wipe it off with a rag and put it back in. Easy and sure does not hurt anything, probably helps a bit too.

Ben

 

[SkyPup]

Our Kubota L-3130 already has a large round magnet on the front end of each hydraulic filter.

You can easily attach your own magnet to your engine oil filter or install permanent magnetic oil drain plugs to remove large metal filings from your oil supply.

Here is a pic of the large magnet on the front end of the Kubota Hydraulic filter:

http://www.kubotastore.com/images/fta040-37710.jpg

 

[KennedyDiesel]

I run a simpler, and equally if not more effective unit from Filtermag. The mess is left in the disposable filter can and tossed at service.

http://www.kennedydiesel.com/images/Filtermag-OE-fuel.gif

 

[awlchu]

Is that a magnetic 'band' around the can?

 

[Soundguy]

I've also seen large magnets on filter casings.. Can't hurt.. along with magnetic drain plugs.. etc.

Soundguy

 

[KennedyDiesel]

Yes. They aren't your average refrigerator magnets though. I have a demo display that has a few dozen BB's inside a filter can. Stacks them suckers right up.

The image that I showed was a FUEL filter from my truck with only a couple thousand miles on it...

First thing I do with a new vehicle is snap these on. The only cost is the initial purchase price.

Allison transmissions have a ring magent in their spin on filter also. I still get lots of junk on can walls where the Filtermag "plants" it.

 

[cp1969]

I would think these things would be of marginal usefulness, if any.

They will only attract magnetic ferrous particles. There are many more species of metallic wear particles in your oil than just ferrous. Stainless steels (most, anyway), aluminum, copper, etc, are non-magnetic and would just pass on by.

 

[KennedyDiesel]

Think of the ferrous particles as rabbits. They are the abrasive ones that hurt the softer metals of the bearings and pistons.

 

[Soundguy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I would think these things would be of marginal usefulness, if any.

They will only attract magnetic ferrous particles. There are many more species of metallic wear particles in your oil than just ferrous)</font>

Stil.. wouldn't you agree that anything is better than nothing?

Extending your logic a bit.. tractor oil filters aren't needed because they don't catch 100% of the contaminants in the oil.. so why use them? right? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I figure every single thing you can get out of circulation, and trapped into the disposable filter media is a plus.. especially when you look at the cost/benefit. The benefit is low.. even marginal.. and the cost is also low.. and it's reusable.. as you can pop the magnet over to the next filter.

Also remember that drain plugs with magnetic inserts are standard on many types of equipment. That in itself lends a bit of credence to its use.

soundguy