When Do You Change Your Air Filter

JLH52 · Jul 10, 2023

I replaced original filter at 415 hrs. Just checked filter at 925 hrs and to the human eye, I would say it needs replacing. The filter minder says, not so. The blue inner filter looks like new, so did the original inner filer.

The filter indicator has not moved and according to the manufacturer of the filter minder, it should not be replaced until the indicator has moved up to the red line.

it is stated that a partially restricted filer is more efficient than a new filter. New filer removes 99.5% of dust particles whereas a restricted filer removes 99.9% of particles, being 80% more efficient.

Do you change your filter by hrs., conditions, owners manual recommendations or by the filter minder? It is recommended not to tap or blow filter with compressed air. By doing so it can tear microscopic holes in filter allowing more dest particles to pass through.

Short Filter Minder Video

FLC2000 · Jul 10, 2023

we clean our air filters daily. Its part of our nightly maintenance routine.

Tap out air filters
Grease zerks
Sharpen blades
Check belts and replace if neccessary
Clean trucks out

JLH52 · Jul 10, 2023

FLC2000 said:
we clean our air filters daily. Its part of our nightly maintenance routine.

Tap out air filters
Grease zerks
Sharpen blades
Check belts and replace if neccessary
Clean trucks out

I don’t know your conditions or location, but why on earth do you think you need to clean your air filter daily? Please Explain. According to Filter minder, you're doing much more harm than good.

Mark Oomkes · Jul 10, 2023

We go by appearance. Could care less what the filter minder says. They can malfunction just like anything mechanical.

FLC2000 · Jul 10, 2023

JLH52 said:
I don’t know your conditions or location, but why on earth do you think you need to clean your air filter daily? Please Explain. According to Filter minder, you're doing much more harm than good.

Im in the midwest. KC. We mow 20-30 properties a day.

Why WOULDNT you clean them daily or at least check them daily? We check our oil levels daily. What does the great and powerful Filter Minder think about that?

Mark Oomkes · Jul 10, 2023

FLC2000 said:
Im in the midwest. KC. We mow 20-30 properties a day.

Why WOULDNT you clean them daily or at least check them daily? We check our oil levels daily. What does the great and powerful Filter Minder think about that?

Remember...change your earl filter every OTHER time you change your oil...cuz you want that dirty filter to catch more dirt.

Call me old school...filters get changed with every oil change.

FLC2000 · Jul 10, 2023

Mark Oomkes said:
Remember...change your earl filter every OTHER time you change your oil...cuz you want that dirty filter to catch more dirt.

Call me old school...filters get changed with every oil change.

Same here. I assumed that was common practice.

Ridin' Green · Jul 10, 2023

You can see just by looking when a filter is in need of replacing or just cleaning out a little. Simple test is hold it up towards the sky in a direction facing towards the sun (being careful not to look directly at the sun with the naked eye). Look through the center hole and if you can still see light coming through the paper element as you rotate it, no need to change. If it blocks the sun from coming through, then change the outer one. It is rare IME to need to change the inner element unless the outer one is damaged or you are cutting in extremely dusty conditions a LOT.

Youngandfree · Jul 10, 2023

I just replace it according to what the owners manual says. Crazy I know. But I now the dirt out every blade change, so about 10 hrs. I'm not buying a doodad like a filter minder.

CrystalCreek · Jul 10, 2023

We reverse blow our filters once a week at the end of the week. Been doing it for 25 plus years and I have walkers with 4000+ hours on the engine with no issues. Dont over think things. I have a small blower in the shop to do this. Not too much force so it doesnt damage the paper element, but enough that is moves the dirt away. I understand the reasoning you provided, but I will politely disagree with it.

JLH52 · Jul 10, 2023

CrystalCreek said:
We reverse blow our filters once a week at the end of the week. Been doing it for 25 plus years and I have walkers with 4000+ hours on the engine with no issues. Dont over think things. I have a small blower in the shop to do this. Not too much force so it doesnt damage the paper element, but enough that is moves the dirt away. I understand the reasoning you provided, but I will politely disagree with it.

You're not disagreeing with me, you're disagreeing with the manufacturer of the filter minder.

FLC2000 · Jul 10, 2023

JLH52 said:
You're not disagreeing with me, you're disagreeing with the manufacturer of the filter minder.

I know more than the filter minder...and its manufacturer.

Mark Oomkes · Jul 10, 2023

I bought one of these a couple years ago.

JLH52 · Jul 10, 2023

Youngandfree said:
I just replace it according to what the owners manual says. Crazy I know. But I now the dirt out every blade change, so about 10 hrs. I'm not buying a doodad like a filter minder.

I didn’t buy it as an aftermarket add on, it is standard equipment on my Hustler mower. Evidently Vanguard believes in the concept. I’m not trying to convince anybody of anything. Just curious to hear what the majority do.

grass man 11 · Jul 10, 2023

You know. I can see it both ways. Filter minder simply works off of the resistance to a vacuum being pulled. It gives you a visual indication which attempts to simulate how hard the engine has to work to breathe. Many of the filter systems that it is installed on, have a giant filters in relation to the actual engine displacement. Meaning, the filter would have to be nearly trashed and filled with dirt, before a manor breathing restriction would take place enough to show on filter minder that it needs to be replaced.

don’t confuse the ability for filter minder to measure the restriction of airflow with the risk of contamination, or overall general condition of the filter or how efficiently the filter is actually filtering.

I see no hard in tapping or blowing filters which act as a pre cleaner for the primary. Many of these systems now have two filters, I see zero hard in cleaning the outside filter provided there is still an inside filter which remains un touched.

FLC2000 · Jul 10, 2023

Mark Oomkes said:
I bought one of these a couple years ago.

View attachment 548379

Thats pretty cool. What are those called?

grass man 11 · Jul 10, 2023

This is like the argument, I put in better oil so I can run the engine longer between changes …. Yet even though the oil may last longer, you’re also allowing the small contaminants to stay inside the engine longer.

Mark Oomkes · Jul 10, 2023

FLC2000 said:
Thats pretty cool. What are those called?

I can't remember who I bought it from, so I Goggled it.

8050 IPA 12 in Air Comb Filter and Radiator Cleaner

8050 Innovative Products 12 in Air Comb

www.centurytool.net

Pretty sure it wasn't from them. I just found a pic that looked like ours.

Mark Oomkes · Jul 10, 2023

Probably got it from these guys.

He's my nut, bolt, chemical, hydraulic hose/fitting, and a whole bunch of other stuff guy.

12" Air Comb® Filter and Radiator Blow Gun - Kimball Midwest

CrystalCreek · Jul 10, 2023

JLH52 said:
You're not disagreeing with me, you're disagreeing with the manufacturer of the filter minder.

That as it may be, I have had two filter minders over the years fall. I like visual confirmation that my filters are good.

When Do You Change Your Air Filter

JLH52

FLC2000

JLH52

Mark Oomkes

FLC2000

Mark Oomkes

FLC2000

Ridin' Green

Youngandfree

CrystalCreek

JLH52

FLC2000

Mark Oomkes

JLH52

grass man 11

FLC2000

grass man 11

Mark Oomkes

8050 IPA 12 in Air Comb Filter and Radiator Cleaner

Mark Oomkes

CrystalCreek

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