Industrial equipment works hard, and companies can’t afford down-time. Using a performance Donaldson air filter and regularly changing or cleaning it is the number one thing you can do to extend the life of your equipment. Here are the three leading roles of air filters, why you should spend a little more for quality, and why keeping them clean is so crucial.
Keeping Debris out of the Engine
The list of contaminants that could pollute your engine is extensive: dirt, dust, pollen, soot, insects, metal particulates, etc. When any of these elements bypass your air filter and make their way to your engine, they begin to degrade it. No matter how innocuous many of these may seem against your high-powered machinery, they will wear it down. These particles are abrasive and will slowly but surely grind down and round out the metal of your engine and reduce its performance.
Maintaining Oil Purity
Using the right oil and taking care of it is also necessary. If the debris mentioned above pushes past the pistons, they can enter the oil supply. When the oil is contaminated, it becomes thick and sludgelike. The oil in your system is responsible for cooling, lubricating, and removing contaminants from the engine. If the oil itself is polluted, it can no longer perform these critical roles.
Maximizing Fuel Efficiency and Reducing Emissions
A quality air filter allows just the right amount of air to pass through, and no to few particulates. Combustion engines work by creating a spark to ignite the right proportions of fuel and air. When the air filter is dirty or otherwise not performing well, your fuel will not perform well either. The motor will work harder, and there will be an incorrect ratio of fuel to air. Running on too rich of a fuel mixture produces more emissions. Making sure you have a clean air filter will not only save you money on equipment repairs but on day-to-day operations.
Equipment, machinery, and vehicles are significant investments. The expense of changing your air filters is a small fraction of the cost to repair or replace an engine. Check your air filter performance by researching how many microns it allows through. A good range is anywhere from .01 to 25 microns but will depend on your specific needs. Air filters make all the difference in the longevity of your engines.