554 Forwarder
- Open the engine hood. The air filter is located on the left side of the machine.
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| Illustration 1 | g00872980 |
Typical Example | |
- Remove cover (1) from the air filter housing.
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| Illustration 2 | g00660048 |
- Remove primary element (2) from the air filter housing.
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| Illustration 3 | g00660055 |
- Clean the inside of the air filter housing.
- Inspect the primary element. If the element is damaged, replace the element with a clean primary element.
Use Steps 6 and 7 in order to clean the primary element:
| NOTICE |
|---|
Caterpillar recommends certified air filter cleaning services that are available at Caterpillar dealers. The Caterpillar cleaning process uses proven procedures to assure consistent quality and sufficient filter life. Observe the following guidelines if you attempt to clean the filter element: Do not tap or strike the filter element in order to remove dust. Do not wash the filter element. Use low pressure compressed air in order to remove the dust from the filter element. Air pressure must not exceed 207 kPa (30 psi). Direct the air flow up the pleats and down the pleats from the inside of the filter element. Take extreme care in order to avoid damage to the pleats. Do not use air filters with damaged pleats, gaskets, or seals. Dirt entering the engine will cause damage to engine components. |
- If the primary element is not damaged, clean the primary element.
Pressurized air can be used to clean a primary element that has not been cleaned more than two times.
Note: Pressurized air will not remove deposits of carbon and oil.
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| Illustration 4 | g00328468 |
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To avoid personal injury, always wear eye and face protection when using pressurized air. |
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- When you clean the primary element, always begin in the inside of the element (clean side). This will force dirt particles toward the outside of the element (dirty side).
Direct the air along the length (inside) of the filter. This will help prevent damage to the paper pleats.
Note: Do not aim the stream of air directly at the primary element. Dirt could be forced further into the pleats.
Use Steps 8 through 12 in order to inspect the primary element:
- Inspect the filter element after you clean the filter element.
- Place a light bulb inside the filter element. Use a 60 watt blue light in a dark room or in a similar facility.
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| Illustration 5 | g00328470 |
- Inspect the primary element while you rotate the element. Inspect the primary element for tears and/or holes. Do not use a primary element that has any tears and/or holes in the filter material.
- Inspect the primary element for light that may show through the filter material.
- If it is necessary, compare the primary element to a new primary element. Use a new primary element that has the same part number. This may be necessary in order to confirm the results of the inspection.
Use Steps 13 and 14 in order to install a clean primary element:
- Install a clean primary filter element over the engine air filter secondary element. Apply firm pressure to the end of the primary element as you gently rock the filter element. This seats the primary element.
- Clean the cover for the air cleaner housing. Align the slot on the cover with the pin on the air cleaner housing. Install the cover.
- Close the engine hood.
574 Forwarder
- Open the engine hood. The air filter is located on the right side of the machine.
 | |
| Illustration 6 | g00872982 |
- Unclamp the strap on the air filter housing so that the air filter housing can be moved for better access.
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| Illustration 7 | g00525072 |
- Remove cover (1) from the air filter housing.
- Remove primary element (2) from the air filter housing.
 | |
| Illustration 8 | g00559733 |
- Clean the inside of the air filter housing.
- Inspect the primary element. If the element is damaged, replace the element with a clean primary element.
Use Steps 6 and 7 in order to clean the primary element:
| NOTICE |
|---|
Caterpillar recommends certified air filter cleaning services that are available at Caterpillar dealers. The Caterpillar cleaning process uses proven procedures to assure consistent quality and sufficient filter life. Observe the following guidelines if you attempt to clean the filter element: Do not tap or strike the filter element in order to remove dust. Do not wash the filter element. Use low pressure compressed air in order to remove the dust from the filter element. Air pressure must not exceed 207 kPa (30 psi). Direct the air flow up the pleats and down the pleats from the inside of the filter element. Take extreme care in order to avoid damage to the pleats. Do not use air filters with damaged pleats, gaskets, or seals. Dirt entering the engine will cause damage to engine components. |
- If the primary element is not damaged, clean the primary element.
Pressurized air can be used to clean a primary element that has not been cleaned more than two times.
Note: Pressurized air will not remove deposits of carbon and oil.
| | |
| Illustration 9 | g00328468 |
|
To avoid personal injury, always wear eye and face protection when using pressurized air. |
|
- When you clean the primary element, always begin in the inside of the element (clean side). This will force dirt particles toward the outside of the element (dirty side).
Direct the air along the length (inside) of the filter. This will help prevent damage to the paper pleats.
Note: Do not aim the stream of air directly at the primary element. Dirt could be forced further into the pleats.
Use Steps 8 through 12 in order to inspect the primary element:
- Inspect the filter element after you clean the filter element.
- Place a light bulb inside the filter element. Use a 60 watt blue light in a dark room or in a similar facility.
| | |
| Illustration 10 | g00328470 |
- Inspect the primary element while you rotate the element. Inspect the primary element for tears and/or holes. Do not use a primary element that has any tears and/or holes in the filter material.
- Inspect the primary element for light that may show through the filter material.
- If it is necessary, compare the primary element to a new primary element. Use a new primary element that has the same part number. This may be necessary in order to confirm the results of the inspection.
Use Steps 13 and 14 in order to install a clean primary element:
- Install a clean primary filter element over the engine air filter secondary element. Apply firm pressure to the end of the primary element as you gently rock the filter element. This seats the primary element.
- Clean the cover for the air cleaner housing. Align the slot on the cover with the pin that is on the air cleaner housing. Install the cover.
- Close the engine hood.