Donaldson is bringing connectivity to filtration service reminders. The company's new Filter Minder uses the vehicles’ own telematics system to upload performance data to the cloud, where predictive analytics inform fleet managers when individual trucks are approaching optimal filter life.

Donaldson announced its new Filter Minder during a press conference held at the American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council 2019 Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition in Atlanta March 17.

Filter Minder is currently in fleet testing monitoring truck engine air filters, but Donaldson said its capabilities will soon be expanded to include fuel, lube and hydraulics filters. Because it integrates with existing fleet management technology, the Filter Minder monitoring system is simple to install and use, Donaldson said. Comparable devices are bulkier, require wired hardware installations, and may need a dedicated cellular network.

"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."

With no upfront hardware costs, easy installation and a low monthly subscription fee, Filter Minder connected technology can produce a substantial return on investment by prompting filter changes based on filter condition, rather than on scheduled maintenance intervals, according to Donaldson. The system also helps ensure that the right filters are in inventory when maintenance is due.

"It may sound strange hearing a filtration vendor saying don't buy a filter, but we see that as part of Filter Minder's value proposition," Zambon added. "If we can save the fleet money and help it avoid unplanned downtime, then we are delivering value."

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.

Once oil filter data collection is made available, fleets can expect data from Filter Minder to be very similar to what they will see from oil analysis they might be currently using, such as real-time oil condition monitoring, as well as wear metals, fuel and coolant dilution and TBN.

"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."