- -  AGRICULTURE CORE CURRICULUM - - 

(CLF2000) Advanced Core Cluster: AGRICULTURAL MECHANICS

 (CLF2800) Unit Title: EQUIPMENT OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

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 (CLF2803) Topic: AIR FILTER MAINTENANCE         Time     Year(s) 
                                                   1 hour   1 / 2 / 3 / 4
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         Topic Objectives: Upon completion of this lesson, the students
                            will be able to:

         Learning Outcome #:

           (Q-2) - Be able to change air filters.

           (Q-3) - Use safe work habits while servicing, maintaining,
                     and adjusting agricultural equipment.

         Special Material and Equipment: Compressed air (not to exceed
                     100 psi); water (not to exceed 40 psi); bucket of
                     warm water; nonsudsing detergent; two tractors or
                     engines, one with a dry element air cleaner and one
                     with an oil bath air cleaner; cleaning rags; pan of
                     cleaning solvent; clean oil of same viscosity as 
                     crankcase oil; a wooden rod; operator's manual

         References: Jacobs, C. O., & Harrell, W. R. (1983). AGRICULTURAL 
                       POWER AND MACHINERY. New York: McGraw-Hill.
                     Cooper, Elmer L. (1987). AGRICULTURAL MECHANICS:
                       FUNDAMENTALS AND APPLICATIONS. Albany, NY: Delmar
                       Publishers.
                     Erjavec, Jack. (1986). ENGINE DIAGNOSTIC AND TUNE-UP.
                       Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

         Resources: Deere & Company. (1984). PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE 
                       (Fundamentals of Machine Operation (FMO) Series). 
                       Available from: John Deere Technical Services,
                       Dept. F, John Deere Road, Moline, IL 61265

         Evaluation: Quiz by Instructor

TOPIC PRESENTATION: Air Filter Maintenance

A. Importance of Cleaning Air Filters

   1. Air cleaners properly serviced remove abrasive materials from the
       intake air without reducing the huge volume of air required for
       adequate fuel combustion.
       a. The air-fuel ratio of a gasoline engine varies greatly. It may be 
           as rich as 2:1 when choking the engine during cold weather 
           starting. A lean mixture (17:1) can give fuel economy but will 
           result in decreased power and an engine that will run hot. A 15:1 
           air-fuel ratio provides the most economical engine operation (a 
           medium-speed ratio).

       b. The air-fuel ratio of a diesel engine varies greatly, according to 
           engine speed. At idle speeds the ratio could be as lean as 100:1 
           or 20:1 for full throttle speeds.

   2. Dirt or other abrasive materials that enter in the intake air mix with 
       the oil on the cylinder wall forming an abrasive solution, which 
       rapidly wears cylinders, piston rings, and other engine parts.

   3. Agricultural equipment usually works in very dusty conditions 
       requiring frequent servicing, at least every 10 hours.

B. Cleaning a Dry Element Air Cleaner

   1. Inspect the air cleaner and intake system for leaks where dust may 
       enter. 

   2. Remove the filter element and tap it on the heel of your hand to 
       remove the dust. (Do not tap the element against a hard surface.)

   3. Use compressed air to clean the element if tapping does not remove
       dust. Direct the air up and down the element pleats, blowing from
       the inside to the outside of the element.

   4. If compressed air is not available, remove the dust with water. Flush
       the dirt from the inside to the outside of element, then allow the
       element to dry before reassembling.

   5. If oil still remains on the element after following the above steps,
       soak and gently agitate the element in lukewarm water and filter 
       element cleaner.

   6. Rinse the element cleaner off with water (40 psi or less); shake off
       the excess water, then allow the element to dry.

   7. NEVER use fuel oil, gasoline, or solvent to clean a dry element.

   8. Inspect the element for damage by shining a light inside it.

   9. Check the filter element gasket for damage.

  10. If the element or the gasket is damaged, replace it.

  11. Clean the inside of the air cleaner body with a clean, damp cloth.

  12. Place the element into the cleaner body and carefully reassemble the 
       air cleaner.

  13. Record the date and the number of hours on the engine when you
       serviced the air cleaner. 
C. Cleaning an Oil Bath Air Cleaner

   1. Inspect air cleaner and intake system for air leaks where dust may
       enter.

   2. Loosen the wing nut of the retaining band and remove the filter's oil 
       cup.

   3. Pour the dirty oil in a waste oil container, not in a drain, gutter, 
       or on the ground.

   4. Scour the dirt and oil residue completely out of the oil cup.

   5. Fill the oil cup with clean oil (of the same viscosity as used in the
       engine crankcase) up to the oil level mark.

   6. If the air inlet tube is coated with dirt, push a clean rag coated 
       with cleaning solvent through the tube with a wooden rod (for 
       example, a broom handle).

   7. Reassemble the air filter making sure the oil cup fits in the
       retaining ring.

   8. Wipe off any oil left on the exterior of the air filter, tools, or
       work area.

   9. Record the date and the number of hours on the engine when the air
       cleaner was serviced.

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         ACTIVITY:

         1. Clean both a dry element air filter and an oil bath
             air cleaner.

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6/28/91 OLR/tf


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