Engine filtration company Donaldson has introduced Filter Minder connected technology for monitoring truck engine air filters, using the vehicles’ own telematics system. Filter Minder wireless sensors and receivers send filter performance data to the cloud, and predictive analytics inform the fleet manager when individual trucks are approaching optimal filter life.
Filter Minder connected technology works by prompting filter changes based on filter condition, rather than on scheduled maintenance intervals. The system also helps ensure that the right filters are in inventory when maintenance is due.
“Filter service performed too early is inefficient and service performed too late can damage equipment, cause unplanned downtime and raise operating costs,” said Nate Zambon, director of the Donaldson Filter Minder product line. “Maintaining the filtration system at the optimal time best protects the engine and drives down total cost of ownership.”
Because it integrates with existing fleet management technology, the Filter Minder monitoring system is simple to install and use, the company said. Filter Minder technology provides:
- Wireless, simple installation in just minutes per truck.
- No upfront hardware costs and low monthly subscriptions.
- Patented low-energy sensors that conserve power and extend battery life.
- Filtration insights for an entire fleet of trucks consolidated into a dashboard view.
- Clear insights and customized alerts by text, phone, email or dashboard.
- A scalable platform that can expand to monitor fuel, lube and hydraulics filters - additional applications the company says are coming soon.
“When we acquired the maker of Filter Minder technology in 2015, Donaldson had a vision of combining our global leadership in engine filtration and filtration monitoring to develop a new generation of solutions,” said Al Hovda, general manager of engine air systems at Donaldson. “Our Filter Minder connected technology is practical, compact and makes fleet management easier while improving the cost of owning and operating long haul trucks.”
