Racor Filters Review
Proper fuel filtration is critical in transportation, marine, agricultural and other applications. Particulates present a particular challenge for today’s sophisticated diesel engines. Particles as small as four microns can cause damage.
Racor is an OEM manufacturer for major brands. Examples include John Deere, Caterpillar, Volvo, Hino and Isuzu, DaimlerChrysler, GM and Ford. You’ll find Racor filters in a host of on and off-road heavy-duty commercial vehicles. They're used in everything from aviation to mining.
Racor Filters: History & Background
Racor brings a half-century of experience and expertise to commercial filtration products. In 1972, the company began operations out of a modest building on a side street in Modesto, CA. It enjoyed early success supplying water separators for marine and highway markets. In 1985, Parker Hannifin purchased Racor.
Today, Racor’s global headquarters remains in Modesto. It manufactures oil filtration systems in Beaufort, SC. It makes air filtration systems in Holly Springs, MS. Racor also maintains production facilities in Europe, Asia and South America.
In the 1970s, Racor’s innovative Turbine Series filters quickly captured market share. They captured water better than other diesel fuel filtration devices. It's what the trucking industry needed at the time. At the time, water in diesel fuel was an ongoing problem for many in the industry. In the 1980s, Racor introduced its new Aquabloc media to remove water from fuel. The technology addressed filtration demands of new electronically-controlled engines with high-pressure injection.
Over the years, Racor continued to develop more and more effective filtration media. It introduced cellulose enhanced with hydrophobic resins. It then developed multi-layered media where each layer served a specific purpose. Today, advanced filtration media deal with the demands of higher flows and cramped spaces.
Racor’s Product Line
Racor’s extensive product line addresses filtration needs at virtually every flow rate. It manufactures many kinds of filters, including:
- Fuel
- Oil
- Engine-air
- Water
- Transmission
- Crankcase ventilation
- Hydraulic filtration
Racor’s product line also addresses the distinct needs of biodiesel blends like B2, B5 and B20. Industry Today says that Racor’s innovation puts it “at the vanguard of the biodiesel revolution.”
Innovative Racor Technology: Triple-Filtration and More
Racor Turbine Series filters protect diesel engines from common contaminants. Its three-stage turbine filtration removes almost 100 percent of the water. It also removes silica, dirt and rust that can otherwise harm engines.
Racor offers other innovative products as well. One is an In-Fuel-Line Diesel Heater that replaces the fuel line. The company also offers a line of diesel fuel additives and cooling system products. Racor's proprietary filter pumps work with existing Turbine Series fuel filters.
Filters for Truck, Marine, Agricultural and Other Uses
You’ll find Racor filters in use in virtually every sector of the economy. Heavy-duty trucks, marine applications and agricultural needs are some prime examples.
Heavy-duty Trucks
Racor makes fuel filters for heavy-duty trucks. Today’s high-tech diesel engines are particularly sensitive to particulates. Fuel is injected into engines at pressures as high as 30,000 PSI. Fuel injector tolerances are microscopic. Filter failures can damage fuel injectors and fuel pumps.
There’s little doubt that modern diesel engines require capable filtration systems. It’s vital to maintain proper filtration throughout the diesel fuel supply chain. It’s important to take a proactive approach by setting up a solid preventative maintenance program. Fuel stabilizers and biocides are important. So is the use of quality diesel fuel filtration.
Fuel filters that needs premature replacement often signal a problem in the fuel delivery system. Excess particulates, sludge and microbial activity are possibilities. Particulates and sludge are more common with modern ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuels. One of the reasons for this is microbial activity. ULSD is more prone to this than high-sulfur fuel, due to lower sulfur content and water attraction. Microbial activity tends to destabilize diesel fuel, leading to more varnish and sludge.
Marine Applications
Racor manufactures spin-on fuel filter/water separator assemblies. They address both gasoline and diesel marine requirements. Compact designs work in cramped engine compartments.
Assess your filtration requirements by considering:
- Application
- Fuel quality
- Maintenance frequency
- Operating environment
Racor's Aquabloc technology is very effective. Its fuel-water separators remove close to 100 percent of water in fuel. Select from filters offering two, 10 or 30-micron filtration. They work across an extreme temperature range: minus 40 degrees F to 255 degrees F.
Racor’s 110A and 120AS series marine filters are rated for both gasoline and diesel use. Compact designs fit in tight spaces. Racor’s Marine Spin-on 200 series units also come in sizes that will fit most engine compartments. They offer flow rates of 30 or 60 gallons per hour.
A metal water collection and sediment bowl is safe for inboard use. Racor also makes water separators with see-through collection bowls made of super-tough Lexan. The material will not discolor when exposed to UV light, fuel additives or alcohol. See-through collection bowls are for outboard, above-deck use only.
Agricultural Needs
Racor manufactures fuel and lube filtration products for agricultural use. For example, it produces filters for Tier 2, Tier 3 and Tier 4 John Deere applications.
Get Racor Filters at FinditParts.com
Transportation professionals everywhere depend on Racor filtration expertise. End users, fleet operators and fleet maintenance specialists are a few examples. Look to FinditParts for Racor filters priced right and delivered quick. For easy access to Racor products, click here.
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