Timely inspection helps prepare the machinery before the campaign and reduces the risk of unforeseen interventions. If inspections are delayed until the day when a tractor, combine or herbicide sprayer, a worn part or a missing consumable is needed, the entire operation can be delayed. In periods when the weather leaves little time for sowing, treatments or harvesting, stops become all the more difficult to recover from.
What role do filters have in agricultural machinery?
The main role of filters is to retain impurities from the air, fuel, oil, or other fluids that circulate through the machinery. Depending on the system in which it is installed, the filter can prevent dust from reaching the engine, protect the hydraulic system from particles, or ensure the fuel filtration before it enters the injection system.
An excessively loaded filter with impurities can reduce the flow of air or fluid, while an unsuitable or damaged filter can allow contaminants to reach the components it should protect. For this reason, the choice of filter must be made based on the brand, model and series of the machine, as well as the manufacturer's specifications.
Tractor filters: what to look for before agricultural work
The tractor is one of the most frequently used machinery on the farm, and its filters are exposed to both field dust and contaminants from the fuel or from the lubrication and hydraulic circuits.
Air filter Protects the engine against dust and particles aspirated during operation. The filter should not be removed frequently just for inspection, unless the manufacturer provides for this operation.
Oil and fuel filters They must be replaced according to the maintenance intervals, including the assembly and, where necessary, the system’s refilling procedure.
Equally important is hydraulic filter, Because particles that end up in the circuit can affect pumps, distributors, and other sensitive components.
Filters for combine harvesters and harvesting equipment
Combine harvesters and self-propelled harvesting equipment operate in conditions where the amount of dust, chaff and vegetable residues can be very high. For this reason, filtration systems require additional attention before and during the harvesting season.
The engine air filter, cabin filter, fuel filters, oil filters and hydraulic filters must be checked according to the maintenance plan of the machinery. In the case of equipment equipped with air pre-filtering systems, these must also be kept in good working condition.
Filters for telescopic loaders and other handling equipment
Telescopic loaders and handling equipment are frequently used in dusty conditions, both on farms and in warehouses. In these cases, the filtering of engine and cabin air is complemented by filters for oil, fuel, transmission or hydraulic system, depending on the model.
Manitou air and oil filters They must be chosen depending on the model and series of the equipment.
If symptoms such as uneven hydraulic movements or decreased performance appear, changing the filter without identifying the cause is not always the solution. Such a situation requires checking the entire system.
Filters for herbicide spraying machines and irrigation systems
In the case of herbicide spraying machines, the filtration is not limited to the engine. The spray solution circuit can include suction filters, pressure filters, and filters located at the nozzles. These are designed to stop impurities that could affect the flow or clog the spraying system.
To the self-propelled machinery are added the engine filters, the hydraulic system filters and the cabin filters. In the case of working with plant protection products, a standard cabin dust filter does not replace the specific application protection equipment or filtration systems.
Also in irrigation, the choice of filter depends on the quality and source of the water, the flow rate, and the characteristics of the installation. Riverscreen Euromacchine filters, For example, they are designed to capture water from surface sources. In drip irrigation systems, additional filtration stages may be required, adapted to the requirements of the sprinkler system.
But do the towed machines have filters?
Not all agricultural equipment has the same types of filters. A plug or a hoe without its own motor does not use engine filters, but the seeders, baling presses, trailers or fertilization equipment may have, depending on their construction, hydraulic filters, filters for compressed air or filters for the distribution of liquid products.
Therefore, the maintenance plan must be analyzed separately for each machine. In the case of equipment powered by a hydraulic tractor, maintaining the connections clean and using compatible fluids helps protect both the tractor and the connected equipment.
How to choose the right filter for an agricultural machine?
The choice of a filter should not be made solely based on its size or the appearance of the existing part. Two filters that appear identical can have different filter materials, valves, or flow characteristics.
For proper identification, the following are important:
- the brand, model and series of the machinery;
- the filter code and the manufacturer's parts catalog;
- the engine series or the transmission configuration, where applicable;
- the system in which the filter is used;
- the filtering, flow and pressure requirements indicated by the manufacturer.
In case the correct code cannot be identified with certainty, the serial number of the existing machine and the part code can be verified before ordering. If the reference cannot be identified with certainty, the dedicated page spare parts for agricultural machinery It can be used to verify and identify compatible components.
