Hydraulic Filters: Pressure, Return, Suction Filter Housings and Assemblies

Filters by Position

• Suction filters and strainers: coarse protection at the pump inlet, kept low in restriction so the pump doesn’t starve.
• Pressure filters: strong housings, often rated to 420 bar, that protect valves just after the pump.
• Return filters: usually tank top mounted, cleaning all the returning oil at low pressure.
• Return suction filters: common on mobile machines with a charge pump, cleaning return oil and feeding it back to the pump.
• Spin-on filters: simple, low cost cans for smaller systems.
• Offline filters: a separate pump and filter that keep cleaning the tank around the clock.
• Breathers: filter the air drawn into the tank.

Housing Features That Matter

• Bypass valve: its setting must suit the element and the system.
• Non bypass housings: used with high collapse elements to protect servo valves.
• Clogging indicator: visual, electrical or both, showing when to change the element.
• Mounting: inline, tank top, manifold or flange.
• Materials: aluminium for lower pressures, steel or cast iron for high pressure.

Sizing a Filter

1. Use the highest flow, not the pump rating. Return flow from a large cylinder can be double the pump flow.
2. Check the pressure drop with cold, thick oil at start up.
3. Pick the micron rating for your target cleanliness code.
4. Allow room for the element to hold dirt between changes.

An undersized filter goes into bypass early and spends much of its life doing nothing.

Replacing a Filter Housing

• Match the port size and thread.
• Keep the same bypass setting and indicator type.
• Check that a common element fits, so spares are easy to find.
• Confirm the pressure rating suits the position.

Hydraulic Filters Specifications to Check

• Position: suction, pressure, return or offline
• Maximum pressure and flow
• Micron rating and element type
• Bypass valve setting
• Clogging indicator type and voltage
• Port size and mounting

Why Buy From TSA Hydraulics Engineering

As a hydraulic filters supplier, we size the housing for your real flow and pressure, not just the port size. You get OEM or equivalent options, and help sourcing hydraulic filters replacement parts such as elements, indicators, bowls and seal kits. We tell you upfront whether a filter is genuine or an equivalent.