Clean Oil Vital to Engine Performance

Improved high-performance engines and new emission standards have had a significant impact on the development of oils and oil filters. As manufacturers continue to develop more sophisticated engines, new classifications of oils will continue to be developed.

These new oils play a vital part in protecting engines by reducing friction and wear, cooling engine parts, sealing combustion chambers, cleaning engine components and inhibiting corrosion. Lube filters also play a critical role in protecting engines by removing damaging contaminants from the oil.

Lube filters trap oil contaminants in two ways:

  • Some particles adhere to the filter media as the oil flows through the filter. These particles attach themselves to the media surface without plugging the media pores.
  • Other particles are trapped in the filter media by the pressure of the oil as it flows through the filter.

Clean Air Critical to Engine Performance

For efficient combustion, a modern diesel engine requires several thousand times as much air as it does fuel. Under normal operating conditions, to burn one gallon (3.79 liters) of fuel you have to clean 15,000 gallons (56781 liters) of air. Add a turbocharger to that engine, and air consumption requirements increase by 20% or more.

Proper air filtration is important because a small amount of dirt can cause a tremendous amount of engine damage. The purpose of the air filter is to promote long system life by keeping damaging contaminants away from sensitive engine components.

Clean Fuel Critical to Engine Performance

Even with the development of cleaner-burning fuels, contaminants are still a major concern when it comes to fuel systems.

Fuel filters protect sensitive fuel system components, such as injection pumps and injectors, from damaging contaminants, which include:

  • Water — destroys lubricative properties of your fuel, damaging fuel system components and resulting in fuel flow stoppage at cold temperatures.
  • Fungus and Bacteria — plug fuel filters, feed on hydrocarbons and spread rapidly in the presence of moisture.
  • Precipitates (non-combustible materials) — settle out of the fuel causing few problems.
  • Particulates (black, tar-like contaminants) — plug fuel filters quickly.
  • Wax — adds energy to diesel fuel; however, during cold weather, wax thickens and gels – slowing or stopping fuel flow.

The use of a fuel filter designed for your equipment will reduce your engine’s exposure to these contaminants.

Clean Fluid Necessary to System Life

Proper filtration starts with selecting the right filter based on the original equipment manufacturer’s recommendations, which include:

  • The type of fluid used.
  • The system operating pressure.
  • The fluid flow required for system operation.
  • The restriction caused by the filter.
  • The service interval expectations.
  • The fluid cleanliness level required.

Improving system fluid cleanliness levels, providing better cold start performance and meeting service interval expectations are the primary objectives in the design of Baldwin hydraulic filters. To accomplish these goals, most quality filters utilize several types of filtration media:

  • Cellulose Media — The original and most common media is made of natural fibers. These twisted fibers are larger and more irregular than synthetic fibers — creating more resistance to flow or pressure drop.
  • Synthetic Media — These man-made glass fibers are very uniform in size and shape — creating the least possible resistance to flow and providing improved efficiency to protect sensitive controls.
  • Blended Media — A blend of cellulose and synthetic fibers provides improved efficiency, along with increased dirt-holding capacity.

Cabin Air Filters

Most cabin air filters are in a location that makes it moderately easy to access and replace. Cabin air filters are typically located under the hood, or behind or under the glove compartment. The cabin air filter should be changed every year or 12,000-15,000 miles.