PLUG 3J3429 - Caterpillar

Air filters, also called air cleaners, are responsible for continuously cleaning the air incoming into the engine or into the machine cab. Air filters are designed to effectively remove contaminants such as dust, dirt, soot, and other air-born particulates. When the recommended filters are used and the recommended maintenance intervals are followed, the particulate contamination in the incoming air is reduced resulting in the following:
Reduced engine components wear and protection of moving components in the engine
Lower engine or machine downtime
Enhanced performance of the engine and reduced oil and fuel consumption
Preservation of the reliability and life built into the engines or machine components
Clean air in the cabin and operator comfortAir system requirements may vary per application. Engines used in various applications such as marine, locomotive, mining, construction, on-highway, or off-highway applications have unique environments. In general, heavy-duty applications experience high dust in the work environments and high machine or engine vibrations.Cat air filter designs are optimized to offer high performance, reliability, and cost value for all the applications of Cat engines and machines. These enhanced designs involve but are not limited to the following:
Latest technologies of filter media
Application-specific precleaner solutions
Optimized filter design for the application
Optimized filter efficiency and life for the application
Appropriate filter restriction
Precise fit into the engine
Best cost value
Consistent quality worldwideCat air filters are factory assembled into all Cat engines and machines. These filters are available for aftermarket use through Cat dealers. The air filters available in the marketplace vary significantly in quality and performance. Knowing the quality of filters from visual observation of the filters is not possible. Cat filters are of high quality and hence offer improved value and protection for the machine. The expectation with a high-quality filter is the initial cost can be higher than poor quality filter due to the amount of the media, quality of media and overall construction of the filter. The overall value of the filter includes initial cost of the filter, value of equipment protection, reduction of downtime of equipment and extension of equipment life. As a result, the lifecycle value of high-quality filters outweighs the initial difference in cost.This chapter provides details of the designs and efficiencies of Cat Engine Air Filters and Cat Cabin Air Filters. Refer to your machine or engine Operation and Maintenance Manual for the air filter requirements and service intervals. Cat air filters are available through Cat dealers.
Do not substitute any other air filter. Air filters that are not designed for the engine air flow and application can damage the engine and cause poor performance.