Every farmer knows that harvest season is not just another task on the calendar—it's the culmination of months of hard work and a vital opportunity to secure your livelihood. With such a short window to get it right, the stakes are high. Reliable agricultural equipment is essential to ensure a successful harvest, and any downtime can mean significant financial loss and missed deadlines. Among the many threats to equipment reliability, fuel contamination stands out as a critical issue. Fuel contamination can wreak havoc on tractors and combines, leading to clogged filters, reduced efficiency, and even equipment breakdowns during these critical times. This is where AirDog® Heavy Duty Diesel Fuel Systems come into play, offering a solution to safeguard your equipment and keep your harvest running smoothly. Understanding Fuel Contamination Risks in Agricultural Equipment Fuel contamination is an often underestimated threat to agricultural operations. Contaminants can enter the fuel system from various sources, each posing a risk to equipment performance. Sources of Fuel Contamination In field conditions, dirt and debris can easily find their way into the refueling process. Water contamination is also common, entering the system through condensation in storage tanks. Additionally, many modern high-pressure common rail (HPCR) systems can suffer from entrained air, which can impact performance and efficiency. Impact on Equipment Performance Contaminated fuel leads to clogged filters, which reduce fuel efficiency. Engine wear and tear, particularly in fuel injectors and pumps, accelerates under these conditions, increasing the risk of breakdowns during critical harvest periods. Entrained Air in Farm Equipment Fuel Systems: A Hidden Danger Entrained air is one of the less obvious but highly damaging forms of fuel contamination, often overlooked during regular engine maintenance. What Is Entrained Air? Entrained air refers to small air bubbles that become trapped in fuel as it circulates through the system. These bubbles are introduced by fuel sloshing in the tank, during fuel transfer, or due to leaks in the fuel system. Once entrained in the fuel, air can travel to sensitive parts of the engine, like the injection system, where it disrupts the combustion processes. This disruption can result in uneven combustion, power loss, and ultimately, damage to critical engine components. How It Affects Your Diesel Farm Equipment The impact of entrained air is not immediately visible, which makes it a significant threat to engine health. Over time, entrained air can degrade engine performance, leading to increased fuel consumption and more frequent misfires. This inefficiency can cause the engine to work harder than necessary, increasing the risk of more severe damage and costly repairs. In turn, this affects the operational efficiency of your equipment and can have a direct impact on your bottom line, particularly in industries that rely heavily on machinery, like agriculture or construction. The Importance of Removing Entrained Air Removing entrained air from the fuel system is crucial to ensure consistent fuel delivery and prevent wear on high-precision injection systems. The presence of air in the fuel can significantly impact the accuracy of fuel injection, affecting the [...]

If you use an AirDog® fuel system, chances are you understand the importance of getting clean fuel to your engine. That’s why you invested in the best diesel fuel filtration system out there. But if a filter is working correctly, it’s removing contaminants from the fuel—which means it will eventually clog. […]

Fuel pumps play a critical role in the operation of Class 8 diesel engines. These heavy duty fuel pumps take fuel from the fuel tank and bring it to the fuel injectors and on into the engine. Without a fuel pump, diesel engine fuel systems can’t operate. AirDog® diesel fuel filtration systems include a positive pressure fuel pump that operates in addition to the gear-driven fuel pump on your Class 8 diesel engine. Our pump helps improve gear pump efficiency by providing constant positive pressure so the factory fuel pump doesn’t have to work so hard. Having our system’s fuel pump supporting the factory pump is a great way to minimize truck fuel pump and injector maintenance. It’s also an integral part of the AirDog® system, helping to improve engine performance, fuel economy, and more. The Role of Gear Pumps in Class 8 Diesel Engines If you have a Class 8 diesel engine, you have a gear pump that keeps the fuel flowing to your engine. Let’s look at how these pumps work and some of the challenges that are common with this type of pump. Gear Pump Fundamentals Gear-driven transfer pumps pull fuel from the fuel tank using suction. Several different types of pumps fall into this category but they all essentially do the same thing. They pull fuel from the tank and bring it onward to the high-pressure fuel injection pump and into the engine.   Common Diesel Fuel System Challenges The standard gear-driven fuel pump works as intended. It keeps the engine running and is fundamental to the operation of the fuel system. However, it does not create the ideal conditions for optimal engine performance. Because these pumps operate under suction, periodically, that suction creates cavitation, pulling air into the system. The pump has an efficiency range where it works well through a certain RPM band, but it will often run outside of that efficiency curve as engine RPM varies, pulling entrained air in with the fuel. Pulling air in with fuel causes a range of issues, including loss of efficiency, damage to fuel injectors, and drops in performance. How AirDog® Assists the Class 8 Diesel Truck’s Fuel Pump AirDog® includes an integrated fuel pump in its system to solve the problems created by the standard gear-driven fuel pump. Integration with Existing Systems AirDog®’s pump is installed between the fuel tank and the gear pump. It’s not a replacement for the gear pump. Instead, it’s an addition that supports the existing pump and smooths out the flow of fuel throughout the system. Operational Improvements Standard fuel pumps on Class 8 diesel engines have to work hard to do their job. All of that pulling the fuel from the tank and the cavitation that results is tough on the pump and the system. That hard work means the fuel pump can and will fail over time, leading to expensive maintenance and replacement of the pump. AirDog®’s fuel pump seeks to reduce the workload of the gear-driven fuel pump by [...]

In the world of diesel-powered equipment, whether for personal use, business operations, or recreational activities, maintaining the health and performance of your diesel engines is paramount. For fleet owners, farmers, construction operators, and enthusiasts alike, the AirDog® Diesel Fuel Filter offers a robust solution to ensure your engines run efficiently and last longer. This blog explores the diverse applications of AirDog® Diesel Fuel Filters, explaining why entrained air and particulates in fuel can cause damage and how investing in AirDog® filters can safeguard your diesel engines. The Importance of Diesel Fuel Filtration Diesel engines are the workhorses of many industries, from agriculture to construction to transportation. The quality of the fuel that powers these engines is critical to their performance and longevity. One significant issue that diesel engines face is the presence of entrained air in the fuel. Entrained air can cause several problems, including: Cavitation in Fuel Injectors: Air bubbles in the fuel can cause cavitation, which damages the fuel injectors and reduces their efficiency. Erratic Engine Performance: Inconsistent fuel delivery due to air pockets can lead to rough idling, misfires, and overall erratic engine behavior. Increased Wear and Tear: Air in the fuel increases friction and wear on engine components, leading to premature failures and higher maintenance costs. Reduced Fuel Efficiency: Engines running on aerated fuel consume more fuel, reducing overall efficiency and increasing operating costs. By removing entrained air, AirDog® Diesel Fuel Filters enhance fuel quality, leading to smoother engine operation, improved fuel efficiency, and extended engine life. Diverse Applications of AirDog® Diesel Fuel Filters 1. Agricultural Equipment Agricultural machinery, such as tractors, combines, and seed pullers, often operate in challenging conditions. Dust, dirt, and uneven terrain can cause significant fuel sloshing, leading to aeration. An AirDog® Diesel Fuel Filter system is particularly beneficial for large tractors with high horsepower, ensuring that these vital machines run smoothly during critical farming operations. 2. Construction Equipment Construction sites are harsh environments for diesel engines. Equipment such as excavators, bulldozers, high lifts, and backhoes experience constant movement over rough terrain, exacerbating fuel aeration issues. AirDog® systems are designed to handle these extreme conditions, providing a steady supply of clean, air-free fuel that keeps heavy machinery operating reliably and efficiently. 3. Commercial Fleets For businesses that operate fleets of trucks, maintaining consistent engine performance and fuel efficiency is crucial. AirDog® Diesel Fuel Filters are ideal for semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles, ensuring that engines receive a continuous supply of high-quality fuel. This not only enhances performance but also reduces maintenance costs and downtime, making fleet operations more cost-effective. 4. Marine Engines Marine engines, whether in large vessels or sailing yachts, face unique challenges. Fuel sloshing due to waves can introduce significant amounts of air into the fuel system. AirDog® filters are effective in marine applications, providing a reliable fuel supply for both backup engines on sailing yachts and primary engines on larger vessels. This reliability is crucial for ensuring safe and efficient marine operations. 5. Performance and Recreational Vehicles Enthusiasts who modify diesel [...]

A clogged diesel fuel filter can wreak havoc on an engine. Learning to recognize the signs of a clogged diesel fuel filter is a game-changer. You will better know how to optimize your diesel engine's performance and protect its lifespan. Here, we dive into the critical issue of clogged diesel fuel filters, outlining the telltale symptoms and emphasizing the importance of regular maintenance for peak engine performance. We’ll guide you through recognizing and fixing fuel filter problems. Understanding the signs of a clogged diesel fuel filter and knowing when to stop and replace it will help ensure your diesel engine runs smoothly, extending its lifespan and enhancing its efficiency, ultimately saving you money in the long run. What Fuel Filters Do and How They Work The role of a diesel fuel filter is to safeguard the engine components that interact with the fuel while removing contaminants such as dirt, rust, water, microbial growth, and air. The best fuel filters remove those contaminants; the smaller the particles removed, the better. AirDog® fuel filters remove contaminants down to 2 to 6 microns (varies by application) or 2 to 6 millionths of a meter, placing among them the industry’s best. Ensuring your engine receives the highest quality fuel increases fuel efficiency, provides optimal engine performance, and generally extends the longevity of your fuel injectors and engine. Of course, fuel filters are consumable parts that require periodic replacement. Fuel filters that do not get replaced on schedule or encounter particularly dirty fuel can become clogged, leading to performance and other engine problems. Therefore, it is critical to keep your filter from clogging and to replace it when the symptoms of a clogged fuel filter become apparent. Symptoms of a Clogged Fuel Filter A clogged fuel filter will restrict fuel flow to your engine, leading to noticeable symptoms as your engine gets starved of fuel. Here’s a quick review of common symptoms of a clogged fuel filter. Difficulty starting. A diesel engine that does not receive adequate fuel can be hard to start. Engine misfiring. A clogged fuel filter can cause some cylinders to receive too little fuel to generate combustion, leading to engine misfiring. Rough idling. Your engine should idle smoothly. However, if the fuel pump, injectors, and cylinders do not receive adequate fuel, the fuel may not combust properly, leading to rough idling. Poor engine performance. Just as inadequate fuel causes rough idling, the engine can sputter or surge due to inconsistent access to the fuel. Symptoms such as sluggish throttle response and decreased power will be most noticeable when moving at high speed, on inclines, and carrying heavy loads. At the same time, the engine may feel shaky when driving at low speeds. Poor fuel economy. For the reasons noted previously, an engine that does not fully combust the fuel it receives will generate less power and consume more fuel to complete the same amount of work. Whining and unusual sounds. A clogged fuel filter can force the fuel pump motor to work [...]

Diesel fuel filtration is critical yet underappreciated in heavy-duty engine optimization, easing maintenance, gaining optimum performance, and extending engine life. Unfortunately, the fuel filtering systems on the heavy-duty trucks rolling off assembly lines today are not as effective as they could be at optimizing fuel delivery to their engines.  This article reviews the limits of standard diesel fuel filtration systems and describes how advanced systems like AirDog® fuel systems take fuel filtration to the next level and provide numerous benefits. Whether you are a fleet manager or an independent trucker, understanding the value of superior fuel filtration can save you time, money, and headaches in the long run. Are Standard Diesel Fuel Filter Systems Good Enough? Ideally, diesel fuel filtering systems remove contaminants before the fuel enters the engine, ensuring optimal engine performance and longevity. The filtering process removes various diesel fuel contaminants such as particulates, bacteria, moisture, and air, with the standard approach working in two stages with a primary and secondary filter. Generally located between the fuel tank and the fuel pump, the primary filter commonly removes particles down to ten microns or one-tenth the size of a grain of sand. The secondary filter is positioned before the injectors and often removes particulates in the five-micron range. That sounds impressive, but is it good enough? Of course, the larger the particulates your filters allow to pass through, the more damage they cause when the injectors blast them against internal engine parts, causing slow but sure damage. As important, standard filtering systems fail to remove moisture to the needed level and are not designed to remove entrained air as needed to achieve maximum fuel efficiency and power. AirDog® Heavy Duty Diesel Fuel Systems Work Differently AirDog® fuel systems work differently. They provide cleaner fuel by first, sending it through a water separator that eliminates moisture and particulates down to 30 microns. Next, the fuel passes through the AirDog® particulate filter, featuring a superior quality Microglass media, removing particulates to at least 6 microns. An added benefit to the AirDog® Fuel Preporator, which is not found in typical filtration systems, is the removal of entrained air from the fuel, ensuring your engine receives pure fuel uncontaminated by air. The integrated fuel pump of the AirDog® sends pure diesel fuel to the engine at a regulated positive pressure. The positive pressure reduces the opportunity for air to enter the system by keeping vapors out and reducing vapor-causing cavitation. Enhanced Engine Performance Standard fuel filters do not attempt to remove air from the fuel, resulting in retarded injection timing, lower torque or power output, increased fuel consumption, increased exhaust emissions, and poor throttle response. Clearly, removing air from diesel fuel is critical. AirDog® systems ensure the diesel fuel entering the engine is the cleanest, purest stream of fuel possible sent under optimal pressure. This combination allows for significantly enhanced throttle response and power delivery because the engine receives air-free fuel at better and consistent fuel pressure. Eliminating air in the fuel leads [...]

Maintaining your diesel engine's performance and longevity hinges largely on the quality and maintenance of your fuel filters. In this blog post, we dive deep into the critical aspects of diesel fuel filter maintenance. We'll cover factory recommendations, the impact of fuel quality, and practical tips for ensuring your engine runs smoothly. By the end of this post, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of when and why to change your diesel fuel filters. The Importance of Diesel Fuel Filters Many factors affect your engine's performance and longevity, and the quality of the fuel that enters the engine is among the most important. Like the adage, "Garbage in, garbage out," low-quality fuel can lead to a range of engine problems, so ensuring you use high-quality fuel is critical, as is proper fuel filtering. Diesel fuel filtering systems remove contaminants such as particulates, bacteria, and moisture from the fuel before they enter the engine to enhance engine performance and longevity. The standard fuel filtering system uses a primary and secondary filter, with the primary filter generally removing particles larger than ten microns. A secondary filter removes smaller particulates and may handle those as small as 2-5 microns. The larger the particulates your filtering system allows to pass through, the more damage they cause when the injectors blast them against internal engine parts. However, as critical as removing the solid particulates is the need to remove water and entrained air, which standard filtering systems do not handle or do not handle to the level needed for maximum fuel efficiency, power, and engine longevity. The Quality of Fuel Sources and Its Effect on Filter Life Diesel fuel is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture from the air at the molecular level, so it almost always contains some water. The challenge is to minimize the amount of water entering your truck's fuel tank and to filter the remainder to maximize fuel efficiency and protect your engine. One common source of water entering your fuel supply is fuel retailers and distributors. Some dishonest retailers and distributors may add water to their fuel, while water can find its way into diesel fuel through leaky storage tanks or human error. Poor or degraded tank seals can allow water into storage tanks, and human errors such as leaving a fuel tank cap off also invite water contamination. All retailers and distributors should use water-detecting filters in their dispensing equipment, but the filters are effective only when adequately maintained. To protect against this problem: Buy your fuel from reputable sources with well-maintained facilities and systems. Do not buy fuel from locations with storage tanks that show rust or other signs of degradation. Feel free to ask suppliers about their procedures for ensuring fuel quality. Another factor affecting filter life is asphaltenes, which have become more prominent with ultra-low sulfur diesel and hotter-running engines. Asphaltenes are black, tar-like particles that accumulate on the filter fibers, eventually building up to the point that they can plug the fuel filter. While there are additives [...]