Donaldson vs. Baldwin Efficiency

[garageman402]

One thing I've noticed about these two brands is different size filters have different efficiency ratings, even in the same size different part numbers have very different ratings. These two brands also tend to rate in "nominal" terms, rather than X% @ Xmicron.

For example, in the M22x1.5 (Fram 10575) the Baldwin lists a micron rating of 9.8 nominal & 27 absolute, Donaldson shows 50% @ 6microns. These are the best ratings I have found looking through their catalogs.

How does this compare to Fram XG rating of 99+% @ 20microns?

Thanks!

 

[FowVay]

I don't know anything about all of that but I'm going to buy a Donaldson for my lawn mower the next time I order from the Rock. They have one that matches my Kohler part number for 6 bucks and I am certain that it will blow away anything John Deere or Kohler is selling at the ridiculous rate of $12-$15.

 

[Hootbro]

Both brands are geared towards fleet and industrial service industry use. Baldwin filters generally only match whatever the OEM spec requires and if they are a rock catcher spec, that is what they make. Donaldson is pretty much the same but they do have some outliers that use their "Synteq" media that have better efficiency standards but they may not catalog the same and have to be matched off catalog and used at risk with no warranty.

 

[fantastic]

One thing I've noticed about these two brands is different size filters have different efficiency ratings, even in the same size different part numbers have very different ratings. These two brands also tend to rate in "nominal" terms, rather than X% @ Xmicron.

For example, in the M22x1.5 (Fram 10575) the Baldwin lists a micron rating of 9.8 nominal & 27 absolute, Donaldson shows 50% @ 6microns. These are the best ratings I have found looking through their catalogs.

How does this compare to Fram XG rating of 99+% @ 20microns?

Thanks!

Donaldson would need to give you a better percentage rating closer to 95%+ or more. That 50% rating isn't very helpful w/o more data. Also, we need a % percentage for the Baldwin to begin to say how much of 27 micron particles will be removed.

 

[Glenda W.]

27 absolute would be 98.6%@27 microns. So not in the ballpark of 99%@20 microns.

 

[twX]

50% at 6 micron would typically equate to 99% at 20 micron or less, perhaps closer to 15 micron. It's hard to say exactly, but it'll be better than the Baldwin.

 

[f355spider]

27 absolute would be 98.6%@27 microns. So not in the ballpark of 99%@20 microns.

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This is correct and helpful. I work for a medical equipment manufacturer for the past 20 years and we also manufacture water filters for our equipment. Note that filtration is always a balance. We use "absolute" filters that are tested and certified to 99.9% of their rating as our filters are capable of trapping bacteria and various organisms (.1 micron absolute filtration). To achieve that, we use staged filters starting at 1 micron nominal, then .4 micron absolute, then .1 micron absolute. The first two filters are there simply to prevent the .1 micron absolute filter from clogging prematurely. Depending on water quality, these three filters can last anywhere from three weeks to 6 months...it can be highly variable. Without the two pre filters, the .1 micron filter could easily plug up in a month in even the best conditions.

I get that folks want the highest filtration quality they can, but understand the smaller the particulate size and an "absolute" rating is going to clog faster and I'm not aware of any car that can tell you when the filter is plugged up and on bypass. Also, based on the cut open filters seen here and on YouTube, I am highly suspect if the absolute ratings on these $8 oil filters could really meet any certification process. The difference in construction quality is night and day compared to the medical industry.

In spite of my knowledge on filters, I simply use the car manufacturer's filters with my cars and currently have 390,000 miles on my Tundra (6k to 7k OCI since new) and 382,500 miles on my BMW 540 (7.5k OCI since new). My admittedly tiny sample of two cars shows factory filters are fine.