General question on air cleaner systems. Vortex generators

The 'vortex cleaner' as you describe it is very important, I am not sure how much dust % wise it removes, maybe as much as 70/90%, I had a damaged one on a D8H, the element clogged very quickly a day at most in dusty conditions, when the whole system was in good condition it took about a fortnight or more. Check with some wreckers, you maybe able to pick up a good air cleaner to suit your tractor off another wrecked 160hp D7E, not sure what you need to do to modify to fit the later 180hp air cleaner. You also need a good exhaust stack with the venturi in it, and the proper hose connection for it to all work properly. From what I remember the 160hp had a dry type element, the 180hp I am familiar with, it had a dry type element.

Thanks. I was trying to understand the function of the vortex cleaner system. Obvious that it works and I can only assume it has to do with inducing centrifugal force which would force dirt but trying to learn a bit.

great example of the vortex system and certainly keeping me away from reaching for any kind of semi type filter system. I too would think an intake filter alone would plug real fast if not designed right.

Regarding the exhaust venturi, where are you referring? I have never really known of much other than large pipe for turbo exit. My D7E has some serious issues with the exhaust exit elbow but I don't think it will hurt performance much. No muffler, straight out from elbow. A little talkative though.

Hi, I have to be carefull, I am not sure about 160hp 7E's(I think it should work the same as a 180hp E), on the 180 7E's there is a venturi in the exhaust stack that draws through a pipe/hose from the cyclone on the air inlet, I am more familiar with the D8's but they would all be the same principle, just above the elbow or in the elbow most likely, there will be a pipe entering which sticks up into the venturi, on the other end there will be a hose that connects to the cyclone (that thing with the plastic spirals in it). It is important that all the plastic spirals are in place and good order, also the hose and venturi in the exhaust stack. if you get a blockage of the exhaust, say a branch or something, hot exhaust gas will go back along the hose and melt the plastics in the cyclone. I had this happen once, had to renew the cyclone. There is a space between the spirals where fluff can also congregate and reduce the efficiency of the system. Maybe someone else here is more familiar with D7E's, if I am incorrect please correct me. Neil

Hi Wombat,
Your description of the air cleaner system is pretty much on target but the arrangements are entirely different for the early and later D7E's. A considerable amount of plumbing would need to change to convert.

The early units just have straight inlet pipe and plain straight exhaust.
The venturi/cyclone section is in the bottom of the cannister and you have to periodically empty the bottom cup. The secondary filtration is dry type vertical element.

The later units have the venturi/cyclone section in the inlet stack with a suction pipe connected to the exhaust pipe venturi to automatically vacuum out the grit. Secondary filtration is dry type element mounted horizontal.

That is pretty interesting info Old Magnet. Seems like to make the 180hp cleaner work on a 160hp machine, you need to change some exhaust plumbing in addition to some intake mods.

I am curious to learn more about the vortex designs in cleaner systems and how they are designed to work. In the case of my D7E, all these tubes with vortex generators don't seem to have any place to send the dirt but maybe I am looking at them wrong and they have breaks in the ramps so dirt would fall out and go straight back down in the bottom? But it would be constantly stirred in the bottom as well?

Are these vortex generators in most equipment or reserved for extreme dirt situations like a dozer or or pull tractor might experience?

They all work on the same principal, combination centrifugal force and direction change. Yes, most commonly applied to heavy dusting conditions.

In the case of the early E, dirty air flows around many center tubes with vanes that sends the dirt to the outside of the outer tube where it is separated from the main stream and drops into the cup below. Air flow turns 180 degrees and goes back up the inner tube and on to the secondary filter. The air direction change also asists in final separation of the dirt without disturbing what's in the cup.

Most these filters are of Donaldson design.....might find some useful info on the net.

Thanks Old Magnet, I never had much to do with 160hp and 235hp tractors. Its an interesting thread to follow engineering improvements through the various Caterpillar machines. Sometimes the later modifications can be retro fitted simply and others not easily, or at all.