hydraulic filter vs oil filter

**rac98** · February 20th, 2015 11:02 PM

What's the difference between the two? Can you use oil filter for hydraulic application? Can you use hydraulic filter as resplacement for an engine oil filter?

**12vdc** · February 20th, 2015 11:33 PM

From my memory, hydraulics have finer filtration about 10 microns and below while lube filter is abt 20+ micron, that means hydraulic filter will be plugged much faster if you use it in the motor. Also most hydraulics don't have anti drainback valve, full flow, operates on higher psid bypass valves.

My take would be, you could interchange them as long as it meets the engine manufacturer requirements(adbv, bpv, micron rating-frequency of change).

**rac98** · February 21st, 2015 12:21 PM

^^ how about using an oil filter in a hydraulic system sir?

**12vdc** · February 21st, 2015 02:57 PM

Its just the reverse. Poorer filtration due to larger micron rating, lower bpv youd have problems if system runs on higher pressure, drainback valve is useless since system is designed for full flow multi-pass probably doesn't sit above the sump just like most motors do. Its imperative to know the specs of both filter/engine lubrication system before substituting a filter.

**Johnhurson** · January 29th, 2019 02:40 AM

Originally Posted by 12vdc

Its just the reverse. Poorer filtration due to larger micron rating, lower bpv youd have problems if system runs on higher pressure, drainback valve is useless since system is designed for full flow multi-pass probably doesn't sit above the sump just like most motors do. Its imperative to know the specs of both filter/engine lubrication system before substituting a filter.

A filter is a porous device for removing impurities or solid particles from a liquid or gas passed through it. Poorer fiteration is usually happen due to the larger micron rating, however, hydraulic and oil filter are almost same. For oil filters they help your machinery or equipment to run smoothly and without any delay(make sure you are using quality oil filters and lubricants). On the other hand we can keep the definition of hydraulic filter simple like "These filters keep the hydraulic fluid contaminant free" for faster effeciency same as oil filters. However, both are dependant on the applications. You can read ton of useful guides on oil filters and other industrial lubrication related issues and solution on this lubrication blog.