Precleaners

Contact Details

Name: Precleaners Europe
Address: 4 Amber Grove
Town: Westhoughton
City: Bolton
County: Greater Manchester England
Postcode: BL5 3LE
Phone: 01942 816886
Mobile: 01942 816886
Website: https://www.precleanerseurope.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/precleanersuk 

Opening Times

Monday: 09:00 – 17:00
Tuesday: 09:00 – 17:00
Wednesday: 09:00 – 17:00
Thursday: 09:00 – 17:00
Friday: 09:00 – 17:00
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

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Precleaners Europe

About Precleaners Europe

Precleaners Europe is a family run business and we have been supplying engine turbo precleaners for over 16 years.

Mr Brian Lomax an ex-Ingersol Rand and IPU Sales Manager, known in the industry as “Mr Turbo” and his son Bryan set up the business back in 2004. Brian Snr retired from the business in 2012 and Bryan Jnr now manages the business along with his family and staff.

At Precleaners Europe we supply high quality engine air intake precleaners from Turbo and KleanAire manufacturers.

We are happy to supply a single unit up to large quantities and welcome OEM orders.

We carry a large inventory of warehoused stock and have engine precleaners available for any industrial application including construction, demolition, mining, quarrying, aggregates, forestry, agriculture, recycling, transport, marine, military and more. Turbo Precleaners engine air filters for cleaner air

Industrial Applications:

• Construction
• Mining and Quarrying
• Materials and Aggregates Handling
• Agricultural
• Road Building and Maintenance
• Landfill and Recycling
• Military
• Airports
• Plant Hire
• Demolition
• Recycling
• OEM

How Precleaners Work

An overview of how precleaners work, the different types, and why you need one

The story begins with the engine. Engines take energy out of fuel by burning it. Within limits, the amount, the amount of fuel an engine can efficiently burn depends on the air supply.

An engine spends more than 25% of its time working as an air pump to draw air in. The use of exhaust driven turbochargers as a means of pushing more air into the engine is now quite common. It becomes obvious that a sufficient air supply is critical to the engine’s performance, and anything that excessively restricts the flow of air into the engine will cause higher fuel consumption and/or loss of power.

However, some restriction is necessary. Nothing shortens the life of an engine like “dirt”. There is really only one way for most impurities to enter the engine and that is through the intake. An air filter is a restriction to the air flow, but it is a necessary restriction and all engines have them. A precleaner to help the filter is also a restriction, but in the case of TURBO a very small restriction in exchange for very favourable results.

Yes, but how much restriction? The term “restriction” refers to the amount of vacuum that is required to draw air into the engine. This vacuum is usually measured in inches of water. On almost all types of engine (diesel, gasoline, turbocharged, etc.,) the tolerable limit of vacuum required to pull the air in is 25 to 30 inches. Thus, that is the setting on pop-up type gauges which are used to indicate when the air filter needs servicing

A good air intake system with a clean air filter should cause an initial reading at top R.P.M. of less than 12 inches. Most clean systems at top R.P.M. normally register between 5 and 10 inches of restriction, and an initial reading of 15 inches should be considered the tolerable upper limit.

It should be noted that while most filter systems are correctly sized, some pieces of equipment have been found to come standardly equipped with high restrictive systems. A check with a vacuum gauge will tell the story very quickly. When a clean system reading exceeds 15 inches, changes in the air intake system which could affect a significant improvement may be possible.

A few more facts about Air Cleaners. Basically, there are two types of filter in use. The most common is the replaceable dry element type;  and the other is the oil-bath type, which is sometimes used on more stationary applications.

One thig is true about any filter being used on an engine. It is going to get dirty. /once the filter is dirty it must be serviced, and that means cleaning or replacing it.

It is not uncommon for a single replacement dry-element to be priced anywhere between £30 and £80. Considering these prices , a TURBO precleaner can pay for itself in a week’s time in dirty working conditions by what it saves in filter replacement costs.

Some equipment owners advocate the cleaning of dry-elements as a means of stretching filter moneys, but there is a good deal of controversy as to whether or not this should be done. Everyone will agree, however, that there are major risks involved in cleaning them. The most common cleaning method is to take the element and hit it on something to shake out some of the dust.

The danger is damaging the element or denting the end gasket so that it does not seat properly in the container, consequently allowing dirty air to pour into the engine. Another cleaning method is to force air back through the filter to blow the dirt out or a vacuum to suck it out. Either way, there is a danger of causing ruptures or tears.

Even a small hole or tear can allow enough dirt into the engine to destroy it in a matter of hours. The other common cleaning method is that of washing the filter element in a proper solvent. However, after just a couple of washings most elements rapidly begin to loose there filtering ability.

It should be noted that the pop-up type gauges, which are pre-set only to show a high restriction reading, will never indicate that the filter needs servicing if the element has a hole in it or a damaged gasket.

Precleaners Europe are offering you the least expensive engine insurance you can buy: a TURBO Precleaner. The TURBO Precleaner greatly reduces the need for servicing the air filter by extending the life of the filter element. Less servicing means lower costs and reduced risks.

If you consider the time and expense involved in a major engine overhaul, needed as a result of air intake system failure, how can you afford to be without this “engine insurance” that we are offering.

As you enter the world of precleaners you will notice there are a variety of precleaners available and this will help you understand the similarities and differences.

To begin with all precleaners have one thing in common. They all use centrifugal force to take dirt particles out of the air intake before it reaches the filter.

Exactly how they do this, how well they do it, and what happens to the dirt once it is removed from the air take are some of the things to be considered.

Precleaners can be divided into two major categories. Those that are built into the air cleaner canister and those that are placed on the air intake stack. Within the first category there are two primary types, the finned filter element type and the tube (or cone) type; and within the second are three, the clear plastic collection bowl type, the aspirated typed and the TURBO Precleaner.

The finned filter element type.

A common, in-canister precleaner is a filter element with a ring of angled vanes, or fins, around it. The entering air is spun by these vanes in an attempt to throw the dirt out and down the walls of the canister to the bottom where it is collected in a dust cup.

The dust cup must be emptied regularly or it may have a rubber capped valve that is supposed to empty the dirt. This is an excellent type of air cleaner and a fairly good precleaner.

However , they can develop some problems that can severely impair their cleaning ability, such as, the dust cup not being emptied properly either through operator neglect or a damaged rubber cap valve. Also, the angled vanes can become unplugged causing a build-up that prevents proper air flow.

The tube (or cone) type.

The other in-canister precleaner consists of a group of many tubes, about one inch in diameter, that have dirt separating cone units attached. The air is drawn into the cone unit and is set to spinning by the vanes within it. The dirt is supposed to spin down the cone and be funnelled out of the bottom while the air turns and goes up the tube in the centre of the cone and on to the filter chamber.

The complete tube assembly is usually the same size as the filter chamber and can be connected to it in a variety of ways. The dirt that is funnelled out of the cones, falls into a dust cup which must be either emptied regularly or may have a rubber capped valve that is supposed to empty the dirt. When new, this type of precleaner can do a good job.

However, after a short period of use (especially if any moisture is a factor) the cones can become clogged. This completely eliminates its precleaning ability and adds air drag to what is already a potentially restrictive system.

The clear plastic collection bowl type.

A common and simple precleaner designed to mount on the air intake stack is the clear plastic collection bowl type. The air is drawn up through the bottom over angled vanes which cause the air to spin. The dirt is centrifugally separated and follows the inner wall up until it falls over the edge of and is trapped in the collection bowl, while the air turns and foes down the intake pipe.

This type of precleaner is moderately efficient, but within a limited range of particle sizes. Also, when the engine is throttled down or shut off, the air flow is distributed in a way that causes some of the collected dirt to swirl up and go down the intake pipe.

The real problem, of course, is that the unit does require constant attention because it must be removed and emptied often. Many times the clear plastic becomes so scratched from the spinning dirt that the operator cannot tell if it needs emptying, and so it is ignored and soon becomes ineffective.

The aspirated type.

Another type of precleaner designed to mount on the air intake stack derives its name from the key to its operation. The aspirated type of precleaner comes in many different configurations depending upon who manufacturers the unit, but they all operate on the same principle.

An aspirator is a device that uses exhaust gasses to create a vacuum by means of a venture arrangement either on the exhaust pipe or built into the muffler. The aspirator is connected by a rubber or flexible metal hose to the precleaner, which uses the precleaner through fixed angular vanes.

The dirt must then travel through the hose and be expelled through the exhaust. This is an efficient type of precleaner when it is new, but in a short period of time some significant problems can occur that will speed up the “burn out” of the muffler and/or exhaust pipe.

The restriction placed on the exhaust by the aspirator causes back pressure which causes back pressure which can result in a hotter running, less efficient engine. Once the venture burns out (and sooner or later they all do) the exhaust fumes can be sucked through the hose into the intake air.

Few things can plug an air filter as quickly as exhaust fumes. Also, it is not uncommon for the long,  dirt transfer hose to leak or clog, thus ending the precleaning ability of the unit.

The TURBO Precleaner – It is the best. The unique design and operation of the TURBO Precleaner places it in a class all by itself. It is the only precleaner that is both self-powered and self-cleaning.

Perhaps the greatest appeal of the TURBO Precleaner is its simplicity of design. It could not be easier to install, since most applications only require slipping it on the air intake pipe. There are no exterior connections (i.e. a hose to the exhaust, etc.) or other parts needed.

The principle by which the TURBO Precleaner operates was developed as a result of the imaginative application of several laws of physics and considerable experimentation, and is covered by several patents in the U.S.A. and other countries.

How does the TURBO Precleaner work?

In a TURBO II Precleaner dirty air is drawn through the protective screen that repels stones and large debris. Carefully angled, compound vanes spin the incoming air causing centrifugal force to separate the dust and dirt from the air.

The dirt spins down the wall of the main chamber, into the blower chamber, and out of the discharge ports at the base of the unit. As the air enters through the vanes at the top of the unit, it is rotating in a large radius spiral around the centre dome. As the main stream of air spins down below the dome and into the intake stack, the radius of the spiral becomes much smaller.

The speed at which the air is spinning increases – more than doubles- somewhat like a whirlpool; and this rapidly spinning air drives the spinner and its outer blades. Consequently, the outer blades are turning much faster than the secondary air stream spiralling down the wall and the dust and dirt that has been centrifugally separated from the main air stream.

The rapidly spinning blades become a blower, drawing the dirt down and pushing it out the ports in the bottom. Also, as the rotation of the main stream of air is increased, it throws out the last bits of dust sending the cleanest possible air to the filter element.

TURBO Precleaners pay off fast. Consider some of the reasons why TURBO Precleaners would be an asset to you.

• Air filter life will be doubled, tripled or even increased up to 6 times. This can mean significant savings in filter elements and servicing labour.
• An easier breathing engine means more power and lower fuel consumption.
• The engine’s oil stays cleaner, requiring fewer oil changes. A saving in oil and labour costs.
• In the long run, a cleaner engine inside means less down time, longer engine life and less money spent.

Engine Precleaner Installation Instructions

In most cases installing a Turbo Precleaner is as easy as removing the rain cap from the air intake stack and slipping the precleaner on in its place. Turbo Precleaners do not require any external connections (i.e. a hose to the exhaust, electrical connection etc.) or extra parts for the precleaner to operate.

Once the correct model of Turbo Precleaner has been determined (based on the C.F.M. rating of the engine – please see our C.F.M. calculator or speak to us for advice) the diameter of the inlet pipe needs to be measured in order to specify the correct intake size.

Having measured the inlet there are a few simple steps, depending on the configuration of the air intake to be followed in installing the precleaner.

Precleaner Installation Instructions for Air Intake Stack with Rain Cap

Remove the rain cap and set the precleaner on the intake stack using an adaptor if required. Make certain the precleaner is securely in place. Check to see that the precleaner is at least 4” above the hood to avoid restricting air flow or discharge.

Always check the relationship of the engine’s exhaust stack outlet to the air intake. Ideally, the exhaust outlet should be at least 12” or 30cm above the top of the precleaner.

Turn the exhaust pipe if possible to move it away from the air intake. Regarding operator vision, offset pipes and extension pipes are available to position the precleaner if necessary.

Be sure to install a clean, new air filter at the same time as the Turbo Precleaner. If possible, take a vacuum reading if an Air restriction Gauge before and after installation which can be helpful in analysing the overall condition of the air intake system.

Precleaner Installation Instructions for Air Intake Stack with Other Manufacturers Precleaner

If the Turbo Precleaner is to replace another precleaner mounted on the intake stack simply follow the same procedure as above but ensure all parts of the other precleaner are removed.

If an aspirated precleaner is being replaced ensure the dirt/dust transfer hose is capped off and the aspirator is fully removed.

Precleaner Installation Instructions when there is no Intake Stack

Since most air Precleaners have a limited inlet of some sort it is usually only a matter of installing some plumbing to bring air through a pipe on which a Turbo Precleaner can be mounted. We can supply mounting kits, accessories and parts for this installation.

Return on Investment

An engine precleaner costs less than £500 and can save you around £2500 for every machine you run every year!

Engine precleaners work best in dusty environments where it acts almost like and insurance policy.

Engine precleaners ensure longer engine life for your engine and filter system.

The following benefits illustrating why fitting a precleaner can save you money are highlighted below.

• An average internal combustion engine spends 25% of its life working as an air pump. Around 12,000 gallons of air are required to burn 1 gallon of fuel.
• Dirt, dust, rain and snow are drawn into your engine’s air intake. With the introduction of an engine precleaner you can reduce this incursion by up to 85% before it reaches your air filter.
• Air filter life is increased by up to ten times, engine oil stays cleaner longer, therefore reducing costly filters, oil and wear on your engine.
• Engine precleaners protect your investment and will reduce maintenance costs.
• Precleaners are self-cleaning, self-propelled and have only one moving part. All this eliminates the need for precleaner maintenance.
• Precleaners act almost like an insurance policy for both your engine and filter system.

Installing a precleaner is fast and easy and will save you money.

Precleaners Europe Westhoughton