Air filters can make a world of difference in diesel-powered heavy equipment engine performance. That is why keeping air filters clean is so vital.

When they are clean, air filters can better protect engines and improve their performance. But through regular use, air filters gather dirt and contaminants. Air filters are responsible for capturing these contaminants before they reach the engine. Should those particles reach the engine, heavy equipment operators and owners could be looking at serious problems and even expensive repairs.

However, aside from very real savings on maintenance and mechanical fixes, one undeniable benefit of a clean air filter protecting an engine is that it boosts fuel economy and can save money on annual fuel costs.

How air filters affect heavy equipment fuel economy

Heavy equipment engines are indeed very powerful, but it does not take much dirt or dust to decrease power and hamper fuel economy. Air filters keep the air that flows into the chamber clean, helping the combustion process. Optimal air flow to the engine is what powers heavy equipment.

Engines that receive less air due to a dirty or clogged air filter will not have as much power and will end up using more fuel. Clean air plus fuel equals a better fuel economy.

To ensure your machinery’s engine is operating with the advantage of a clean air filter, keep an eye on the air flow. Air filters should be monitored and serviced to make sure air flow isn’t being overly restricted. An air filter restriction gauge can be installed to help signal when it may be time to address the air filter. Once the air filter becomes too dirty, it is time for a cleaning.

Filter performance on the farm

Keeping a close eye on your farm equipment’s maintenance needs can help boost engine performance and fuel economy on each piece of machinery. Not only will cleaner air filters boost fuel mileage in tractors, it also will boost overall engine performance.

An extensive University of Missouri study showed that replaced air filters improved average tractor engine output by 3.5%. In the study, the air filters were replaced no matter how recently they were installed.

Fuel flow from the throttle also was reduced by 3.5% thanks to the cleaner filters and produced just as much power. In the University of Missouri study, the fuel savings for a 140 horsepower tractor was estimated at 105 gallons per year. With larger tractors, that savings would be expected to be even more.

However, those farmers and tractor owners in the study could have saved even more money if they had simply cleaned their air filters rather than opting for a complete replacement.

Fuel economy results in combines

On the farm, our air filter cleaning technology results in bigger fuel savings for bigger equipment.

For example, some large combines can consume an additional three to five gallons of fuel per hour more if the air filter is even 50% or 75% clogged. Over the course of a 12-hour day - pretty common in farming - that equals out to 60 gallons of extra fuel consumed. If that fuel costs $4 per gallon, that’s $240 the farmer needs to pay out of pocket that day.

Plus, if the farmer went ahead and bought a new air filter rather than clean it, that could bring his cost of operation that day to well over $300.

Field tests show cleaned air filters save on fuel

We have tested our Air Filter Blaster technology and the results show the benefits of using our product to clean air filters. Overall, our tests indicated that an annual savings of more than $10,000 per vehicle can be achieved using Air Filter Blaster.

Our tests were conducted over a 90-day work environment consisting of 9-hour per day work shifts. Fuel consumption, along with metered air flow, were the primary variables monitored on-site throughout the testing.

As far as fuel benefits, one of the tests specifically highlighted the benefits of having its air filter cleaned with our product. In that test, two identical John Deere 7750s were tested, one that had an air filter cleaned and one that did not.

At the end of the second day of testing, the one that did not have its filter cleaned used 58 gallons of fuel more than the one that had been cleaned using the Air Filter Blaster.

The tests also show that cleaning your heavy equipment’s air filters helps meet tougher government fuel efficiency standards, promoting environmentally friendly green technology - an ever-increasing focus in the industry.

You can read more about all of our product tests.

Why Air Filter Blaster won’t harm your filter

Some air filter manufacturers and mechanics caution against cleaning air filters. But Air Filter Blaster products are designed to allow you to clean your air filters without damaging the unit.

The reason the manufacturers don’t want their air filters to be cleaned is because the average consumer is using 135 to 150 PSI directly out of the air compressor to clean their filters. This amount of pressure can tear the filter element, which would expose the equipment or machinery’s engine and turbo charger to dirt particles.

With our product, the distribution of air only allows a maximum of about 48 PSI to be released from any single air jacket in the Filter Blaster. So, there’s no need to worry about damaging or otherwise harming your air filter when you use Air Filter Blaster.

Contact Air Filter Blaster for more information

We at Air Filter Blaster believe that our products can help anyone who relies on diesel-powered construction, farm or any other heavy equipment save money on fuel and maintenance.

If you have any questions about our technology or would like to receive more information about a product, then please contact us. We are prepared to answer any questions you may have.

You can also read our blog for more information on cleaning air filters, keeping heavy equipment in peak performance condition and other common diesel topics.