clean air filter

[dennis103]

Ok guys, I searched and didn't find anything, quickly. How does everyone clean the air filter on their tractor. I know blowing air into it will sometimes pack the dirt in tighter. Is there an air filter cleaning solution that works? Just soap and water? Spray with degreaser and wash out then let it dry? If they weren't $70+ I wouldn't try cleaning it. I've seen a lot of cheep air filters on line, but don't really want to take a chance on letting dirt destroy my engine because the filter didn't do it's job.

 

[5030]

Gets replaced every year. A filter is chump change compared to a dusted engine.

 

[dennis103]

5030, how many hours do you do a year. I only do about 100 to 150hrs. I still like to clean or replace the air filter when I do. I has a lot of dust in it. The air indicator hasn't changed, but I assume by the time that indicator says you need to do something its really plugged.

 

[5030]

Depends on what tractor I'm using to farm with. I just replace them yearly both the outer and inner filter

 

[Carl_NH]

I check 2-3 times a year, tap lightly to get dust/debris out and reinstall. I have washed with warm water and dried one for a spare. I only do 50 hours or less a year. I don't do any brush cutting or mowing, just BH and loader work, and usually not real dusty/dirty conditions.

Really depends on your operating conditions, but I would replace every 150 hours +-.

 

[dieselscout80]

In the past it was common to have AG air filters washed, but I don’t know if it’s still done.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

I have the inner and outer air filters. The outer gets a bunch of dirt, the inner, not at all. Think "back-up". I will tap the outer, then use a 90° blow gun and compressor to clean it from the inside to the out. Depending on use / hours, I'll blow out the filter a couple times. Then it will get replaced. Usually about 150-200 hours

 

[oldnslo]

Companies make wands for blowing out air filters on larger equipment. Not sure about smaller filters though.

When I farmed air filters were changed as needed not on hourly basis. Some tractors saw far more dust than others.

 

[Gregster613]

Good question Dennis, I've wondered the same thing. I put approx. 100 hrs. a year on mine and often in dusty conditions so I do take the filter out and blow with air often, but it still looks good - seems to still work okay - and is quite expensive to replace at such low hour usage that I wait 2 or 3 years before buying new. I've really wondered about washing it in soap and water, like my spa filter but haven't tried that yet. I'm afraid I just might end up ruining a good filter? I often wonder how the long haul truckers deal with this issue? It seems like they would have a good grasp on how long an air filter should be expected to last.

 

[jaydee325]

I'd never try it. $70 is cheap. Won't even buy a gasket set if you have to rebuild a dusted engine.

Diesel engine air filtration maintenance tips

 

[Gregster613]

jaydee, Thanks for the informative link! I just read it and now have an answer to whether air filters should be washed or not - Definitely not - is my new knowledge! Thanks for that link.

 

[dennis103]

jaydee, thanks for the link. I was under the impression that these filters were made to be cleaned. After reading that article, now I'm not. I guess it's back to Kubota for another $75 filter. lol

 

[SPYDERLK]

jaydee, Thanks for the informative link! I just read it and now have an answer to whether air filters should be washed or not - Definitely not - is my new knowledge! Thanks for that link.

Washing a paper air filter - definitely not. Otherwise, the link is targeted to excessively sell air filters to people who they conveniently assume cannot focus on the variables and act in a manner benign to the function of the filter and its conditional safe renewal.

 

[tomplum]

It's best if you blow across the media to get the bulk of the debris. Should you feel you need to blow it from inside out, use a low pressure. Ruptured media doesn't help things. When it gets real emission stained, turns grey- best to replace. If the rubber that seals around the inlet slips on easy and doesn't seal well- best to replace.

 

[Dwellonroof]

I did some homework and purchased one of these in 2012 for a 2720 Deere at the time.

Air Filters | High Flow Engine Replacement Filters | Auto Parts

Shop for The World’s Best High Flow, Premium Lifetime Replacement Engine Air Filter™ for your car, truck and vehicle. Enjoy up to 50% more airflow over a paper filter.

www.knfilters.com

 

[seville009]

I put a new air filter in after the winter. During the summer, if it’s just dusty, I’ll just blow the dust out with the air compressor.

 

[mikester]

A high volume low pressure air nozzle makes it easier to blow the filters out from inside out. I have 2 stage filters in my machines, I never try to blow out the internal element, only replace at the service imtervals.

Some filters are made to be cleaned/washed/oiled etc. Paper filters usually aren't. My Kubota air filters aren't washable and K recommends NOT doing it.

 

[SPYDERLK]

It's best if you blow across the media to get the bulk of the debris. [[ Should you feel you need to blow it from inside out, use a low pressure. ]] Ruptured media doesn't help things. When it gets real emission stained, turns grey- best to replace. If the rubber that seals around the inlet slips on easy and doesn't seal well- best to replace.

[[ I pose using an electric blower inside to continuously backflush while tapping on the outside of the filter element. ]] Using a hair dryer from the inside first to thoroughly remove dampness immediately beforehand should make it easier to dislodge the dirt when you go to the blower and tapping.

Considering the power unit type and usage should also be factored into maintenance, and surely replacement of the filter. Normally aspirated diesels breathe in direct proportion to their rpm, with negligible relation to the load. -- Turbo diesels breathe in proportion to rpm, AND, very much, load. So, if youre easing around running mid rpm mostly doing light work on either tractor you are using your filter life efficiently, although a little more heavily with the turbo because injector pump response of adding fuel to hold rpm under changes in load results in deeper breathing as the turbo spins up. If you need to, or just customarily do run full PTO rpm you load up the filter faster. An anticipated day of sustained hard work is the most excellent excuse to put in a new filter. Whichever, your tractor is going to be happier and safer. If its a turbo, boosting itself to ~ 1.5 x displacement you really need free breathing!

 

[dennis103]

Why is the last place we look for info, the owners manual. lol Looked it up and the manual says clean the air filter every 100 hours. So I keep looking and it tells you how to clean them. Also says to replace every year. You guys still give just as good advise as the owners manual. Thanks again.

 

[RandyT]

I just replace mine every 100 hours. The less you mess with the filter the better, and what is the cost of a filter compared to the cost of the engine is something goes wrong with cleaning the filter. And unless you have a foam filter I would never consider washing out a paper filter with soap and water. Good way to destroy the filter material.