Your heavy equipment filters support peak machine performance and help combat expensive damage. You’ll need to replace them periodically as they become dirty and less effective.
When it is time to update the filters on your equipment, knowing how to choose the best options is highly beneficial for your machine’s health and your bottom line. At Gregory Poole Equipment Company, we offer a selection of high-quality replacement filters, and our team can offer guidance on which options are best for your fleet.
Explore how to choose the best filter for heavy equipment below.
There are four main types of filters used to support and improve heavy equipment performance, including:
Oil filters assist in filtering contaminants before entering a machine’s engine oil, helping maintain its quality by trapping debris before it can circulate through the engine. Clean oil is essential for properly lubricating engine components to minimize friction and subsequent wear.
Your equipment’s fuel filters remove impurities, such as rust, dirt or dust, before they can enter the machine’s engine. The filters help combat clogged fuel injectors that can negatively impact combustion and damage the engine’s internal components, leading to declining performance.
There are various kinds of heavy equipment air filters, including:
They help ensure the air that reaches the engine is clean to support optimal combustion conditions. The filter prevents contaminants, dust, dirt and debris from entering the engine and wreaking havoc. Air filters are necessary for preventing engine wear.
A hydraulic filter helps maintain the purity of your equipment’s hydraulic fluid by trapping dirt, dust and metal particles. Proper filtration is essential to ensuring efficient power transmission to support response times and overall efficiency.
The various filters used in different types of heavy equipment, from excavators to dozers to motor graders, play an essential role in ensuring your machines are ready to tackle any job. They help maintain the cleanest fluids within a machine to effectively lubricate internal components and combat overheating.
The key functions of equipment filters include:
Heavy equipment filters directly impact a machine’s efficiency. Clean air, oil, hydraulic and fuel filters are essential for proper airflow, adequate lubrication and sufficient fuel delivery.
Replacing clogged filters can help your equipment maintain optimal speed and operation. Clean filters are also more efficient and effective in capturing contaminants before they enter your machine’s essential components.
Your machine’s filters are also integral to supporting optimal performance. The right filter options can enhance the following:
In addition to reduced performance, dirty heavy equipment filters can result in premature failure. Replacing the filters regularly can help combat wear and corrosion from contaminants circulating the internal systems.
Operating equipment with improper filters can be an expensive mistake, requiring costly replacement parts or a total overhaul.
Clean, properly sized filters can help lower emissions from equipment operation by ensuring efficient fuel combustion. Proper filtration is key to maintaining the purest fluids and helping reduce the risk of environmental contamination due to leaks or spills.
Regularly tending to your equipment’s oil, air, fuel and hydraulic filters can positively impact machine longevity. Replacing these filters should be part of your preventive maintenance routine to effectively reduce wear on components, minimize downtime, enjoy fewer repair needs and ultimately elongate your fleet’s working life.
The following are key factors to keep in mind when choosing the right filters for your heavy equipment:
The first consideration for picking replacement filters is compatibility with your equipment’s make and model. Filters are available in different sizes and configurations to suit the unique needs of different machines. Proper fit is essential for optimizing filter performance. Also, consider flow rates and mounting requirements to ensure the filters you select can integrate with your equipment without issue.
Always prioritize using high-quality filters from reputable manufacturers for your equipment. They will provide the most effective filtration to protect against component damage.
Durable, high-quality filters also require replacing less frequently than lower-quality options that tend to become clogged more quickly. Ensure you choose filters made from long-lasting materials that can withstand your harshest working conditions.
Choosing filters well-suited to handle the specific environment your equipment typically works in can be highly advantageous. Some key environmental factors to keep in mind include:
If your equipment is frequently exposed to any of the elements above, the machine’s filters will likely require you to replace them more often.
Many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) provide suggested maintenance intervals for filter replacement. Follow the recommendations in the equipment manual to ensure optimal performance and avoid running your equipment with overly dirty filters that can negatively impact performance and longevity.
Remember to document when you replace your filters to ensure you stick with an effective preventive maintenance routine.
When replacing filters for your heavy equipment, you’ll typically choose filters from either the original equipment manufacturer or aftermarket providers. OEM filters are best because they are designed specifically for the machine’s make and model. In some cases, OEM filters are required to combat voiding your warranty.
Aftermarket parts tend to cost less but be of lower quality, so stick with options from your equipment’s particular manufacturer.
Look for replacement filters that meet any applicable industry certifications and standards for performance and efficiency. These may include regulations from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) or the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Familiarize yourself with these standards before determining the replacement filters to select for your fleet.
If you are looking for high-quality replacement parts and filters for your heavy equipment, turn to Gregory Poole Equipment Company. We have over 70 years of industry experience serving eastern North Carolina.
Our team is happy to help you find the right filters for your specific equipment models to support optimized performance and efficiency. Our parts come with a 12-month warranty to protect your investment and ensure your machines function at their best.
Explore our selection of new and used construction parts, and find a Gregory Poole location near you today.