Optimal performance is the ultimate goal of any machinery owner, and the filtration system is at the heart of every healthy engine.

This article will go over some of the key things to look out for to keep the heart of your machine working for as long as possible, including key considerations when it comes to choosing the individual parts of your filtration system.

Choosing the right oil filter

Engine oil filters are designed to stop contaminants from entering the engine, this could be anything from metal shavings, dirt and other debris. Better oil filtration protects your biggest investments by reducing premature wear and damage to your engines. And longer engine life equals lower total cost of ownership.

There are a few things to consider when selecting the right brand or filter for your machine:

How high is the micron rating?

A micron rating refers to the smallest particle size that the filter can effectively catch. A filter with a low micron rating can still work efficiently but may need replacing more often.

What is the filter material?

One of the best options to go for is synthetic media as it is the sturdiest and offers the more superior performance when it comes to trapping contaminants.

Standard efficiency, high efficiency or ultra-high efficiency?

Many brands offer a number of different options for a particular filter depending on the environment, and application. Using the right efficiency filter for your machine and application can effect the efficiency of your machine and minimise damage and downtime.

Looking after your air filter

Air filters are a primary defence mechanism against contaminants that may disrupt the combustion process, and by extension, the engine itself. Therefore, it is crucial that your air filter is properly maintained by adhering to the following steps,

Use an air flow gauge

These can be used to monitor air intake and circulation and will notify the operator as to when air flow has become overly restricted due to the air filter being too clogged.

Don’t overservice your air filter

Checking air filters too many times can increase the risk of damage due to the use of materials involved and exposure to contaminants, decreasing overall efficiency of the air filter.

In addition to having a reliable and functioning engine to power your machinery, looking after and maintaining a clean air filter offers other benefits too such as reduced oil consumption and less pollution due to engines burning cleaner oil. With clean air filters, you can reduce your carbon footprint as a business.

Maintaining your hydraulic filters

Hydraulic filters are designed to keep the fluid free from contaminants to avoid the hydraulic system from getting damaged by foreign particles.

One of the most effective ways of extending the life of your filter is by choosing the right type of hydraulic oil. It is also important to filter new oil before use in order to remove dust particulates and even water; this can be done using a filtration cart or by pumping the new oil into the hydraulic reservoir through the system’s return filter.

In addition to filtering new oil, knowing when to change the hydraulic fluid is also important as over time, even well-maintained oil will wear out. There are a few factors which affect the quality of hydraulic fluid,

Contamination

You may find that the hydraulic fluid has debris that the filtration system cannot effectively remove, and this include situations such as water mixing into the fluid or adding the wrong fluid to the hydraulic reservoir

Heat

Fluid that gets too hot ends up breaking down due to the process of oxidative degradation speeding up. If the fluid has gotten darker and has a weird smell it is often a sign that it has heated up too much.

Additive depletion

The additive depletion of hydraulic oil can be determined by comparing its elemental analysis to the baseline of identical but new oil. Zinc, for instance, is an important element of oil due to its antioxidant and anti-wear properties, and these fade over time so it’s important to check the concentration regularly.

This article touches on some of the steps you can take and things to look out for when it comes to the various filters that play an important role in keeping your engine running the way it should. A lot of it comes down to selecting the right parts, which is why we are proud to be suppliers of Fleetguard filtration components that offer the highest-quality and nothing less for optimum engine performance. If you like to enquire about some of our products, you can do so on our enquiry page where you can also find our email and contact number.