As fiber technology has improved, so has the ability to design and build better filters for heavy-duty diesel engines, notes John Gaither, director of heavy-duty engineering at Luber-finer.
“The goal of filter designers is to catch particles without compromising filtration performance,” he says. “The fiber, the makeup of the paper that is in the filter, can provide for balance between the right amount of restriction and longer filter life. Filters that perform effectively protect engines, and longer intervals between filter changes reduce [costs].”
Gaither explains that Luber-finer’s MXM Force air filters include MicroGold fiber technology that employs fibers that are smaller in diameter to provide more filtration area than standard filters.
Cummins Filtration’s Fleetguard air filters feature a “direct flow” design and utilize NanoNet media that the company says extends time between service intervals. Offered are standard and custom plastic and metal air cleaners in a variety of types, shapes and sizes. Air filter elements are offered in several styles, including the Magmum RS and OptiAir lines.
The design of Donaldson Blue Air Filters with Ultra-Web media, according to the manufacturer, allows less contaminant to pass through compared to cellulose air filters through the use of smaller interfiber spaces to hold more submicron contaminant. The high holding capacity promotes longer filter life.
Donald Chilton, vice president, product management at WIX Filters, says the company continues to invest in different air filter media types. “It only takes eight ounces of dirt to destroy a heavy-duty engine, making filter media the key to having the right product,” he says.
WIX heavy-duty air filters feature embossed pleats and pleat stabilization beads that help the filter trap more dirt. The filters also have greater media surface area to stop more contaminants while maintaining low air flow restriction.
Baldwin Filters has developed more than 30 “extreme performance” heavy-duty air filters, and will be adding to the product line that utilizes the company’s proprietary ProTura nanofiber technology. “These filters feature a lattice-like structure composed of submicron diameter fibers bonded to cellulose media,” explains Steve Englund, training manager. “The nanofibers have a structure that provides filtration that is markedly different from that which can be achieved with conventional cellulose media alone.
“With ProTura media,” Englund adds, “fine contaminant particles load on the media surface rather than penetrating deeper, forming a ‘cake’ of contaminant on the media surface that from normal vibration falls to the bottom of the housing on the dirty side of the filter. More submicron particles then collect on the filter surface and the process is repeated.”
The Racor division of Parker Hannifin Corp. makes a variety of air cleaner housings and filters. Its line of ECO Series spin-on disposable air cleaners includes the ECO II model with water-resistant media and the ECO III line for 250- to 400-hp. engines.
More than 40% of engine problems originate in the cooling system, relates Lauren Lewis, product development engineer of coolant and chemical technology, Cummins Filtration. “Engine coolant can contain various contaminants that are harmful to cooling system components. Coolant filters are a reliable and effective way to remove harmful particles and help prevent erosion, damage, leakage and deposits.”
Luber-finer’s line of coolant filters incorporates full synthetic media for improved efficiency and less pressure drop. The filters also have a holding area for additives separate from the media, which allows for balanced application.
Donaldson Blue coolant filters use Synteq media to remove fine contaminants. They also feature additive replenishment technology. By maintaining cooling system balance through a controlled release of additives, the company says the filters can extend maintenance intervals.
A new line of heavy-duty coolant filters recently introduced by the Penray Companies features fiberglass-based filtering media incorporated into a triple-layer design consisting of a structural steel screen with an epoxy coating wrapped in a non-woven sheet of polyester. Many of the new Penray synthetic-based coolant filters feature the company’s Need-Release technology, which is engineered to introduce coolant additives and fortifiers on an as-needed basis and stabilize the coolant for extended service life.
For more information, visit these websites:
Baldwin Filters
www.baldwinfilter.com
Cummins Filtration
www.cumminsfiltration.com
Donaldson
www.donaldson.com
Fram Heavy Duty Filters
www.framheavyduty.com
Luber-finer
www.luberfiner.com
Parker Hannifin
www.parker.com/filtration
Penray Companies
www.penray.com
Purolator Filters
www.pureoil.com
WIX Filters
www.wixfilters.com
