Help Guide: Understanding the Different Filter Options for Industrial Vacuum Cleaners

The performance of an industrial vacuum cleaner depends on more than just the vacuum itself. The filter cleaning system and filter type both play a vital role in supporting efficient day-to-day cleaning.

This guide explains the different options available across the Klipspringer range, helping you to identify the most suitable solution for your application.

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Why Filter Choice Matters

Choosing the right filter cleaning system and filter type for your application isn’t just a specification detail, it directly affects how well the vacuum performs and how long it lasts. There are two main reasons filter options to consider:

  • Vacuum performance: the wrong filter type, or one that becomes blocked, reduces performance, limiting the depression (vacuum strength) and airflow the machine can generate.
  • Motor protection: a blocked or poorly matched filter forces the motor to work harder to maintain suction. Over time this increases running costs, puts additional strain on the motor, and can ultimately result in costly motor repairs.

Matching the filter cleaning system and filter type to your dust type, volume, and how often the vacuum is used helps avoid these issues, keeping the vacuum running efficiently and protecting your investment.

Manual Shaking

Manual Shaking is the simplest filter cleaning system available. As dust collects on the surface of the filter, airflow and suction gradually reduce. To restore performance, the operator stops or pauses the vacuum and uses an external handle or lever to shake the filter, allowing the dust to fall into the collection container below.

This straightforward design makes Manual Shaking well suited to lighter-duty applications where the vacuum is used intermittently and dust volumes are relatively low.

Manual Shaking Lever

Benefits

Limitations

Simple, cost-effective design: With no automated cleaning components, Manual Shaking systems are typically the most economical option.

Requires operator intervention: The filter must be cleaned manually to maintain suction performance.

Easy to maintain: Fewer moving parts reduce maintenance requirements and simplify servicing.

Temporary interruption to cleaning: The vacuum must be stopped or paused while the filter is cleaned.

Compact and lightweight: The uncomplicated design often results in a smaller, easier-to-handle vacuum cleaner.

Reduced suction between cleaning cycles: Airflow gradually decreases as dust accumulates on the filter.

Well suited to intermittent use: An effective choice for routine cleaning where filters do not require frequent cleaning.

Less suitable for continuous operation: Frequent manual cleaning can reduce productivity in high-use environments.

Not intended for heavy dust loads: Applications generating large volumes of fine dust are generally better suited to automated cleaning systems.

Semi-Automatic Filter Cleaning

Semi-Automatic Filter Cleaning systems provide a more advanced method of filter cleaning than Manual Shaking, cleaning the filters without the operator having to manually shake it. There are two types used across the Klipspringer range, depending on the motor type:

Standard (Electric)

Used with brushed motors. The filter is mounted to electric solenoids which shake the filter to dislodge accumulated dust.

Pneumatic Piston

Used with turbine motors. The vacuum uses a reverse air valve which pushes air through a pneumatic piston, and this in turn shakes the filter to dislodge accumulated dust.

In both cases, this restores airflow quickly, helping to maintain consistent suction while reducing filter clogging and maintenance requirements. Vacuum cleaners with Semi-Automatic Filter Cleaning are suited to applications involving regular use, fine dust, or extended operating periods.

Benefits

Limitations

Fast, effective filter cleaning: Mechanised cleaning removes accumulated dust more efficiently than manual shaking.

Operator activation required: The cleaning cycle must still be started manually.

Maintains consistent suction: Regular filter cleaning helps preserve airflow throughout operation.

More complex design: Additional mechanical components increase system complexity.

Reduces filter clogging: Dust is removed more effectively, extending the time between maintenance.

Higher purchase cost: Typically more expensive than Manual Shaking systems.

Lower maintenance requirements: Operators spend less time cleaning filters and more time carrying out productive cleaning tasks.

Not fully automatic: Although cleaning is mechanised, it does not take place continuously during operation.

Suitable for demanding applications: Well suited to frequent use and environments where fine dust is generated.

Automatic Filter Cleaning

Automatic Filter Cleaning is designed for applications where uninterrupted performance is essential. Unlike Manual or Semi-Automatic systems, the filter is cleaned continuously while the vacuum remains in operation, maintaining airflow without stopping suction.

Every model in our Automatic range uses a combination of Micro Vibration Technology and Compressed Air Pulses to clean the filters without the requirements for an onboard compressor, a patented approach that is unique in the market and the flagship filter cleaning system in the Klipspringer collection.

These systems continuously remove dust from the filter surface, making them particularly suitable for demanding production environments and applications involving large volumes of fine dust.

How the System Works

  • The turbine switches on, the vacuuming starts, and the automatic cleaning timer begins. The turbine stays on throughout the entire process.
  • The timer runs on an adjustable 2-10 minute cycle. When it fires, the filters are cleaned one at a time while the other two continue vacuuming:
    • Filter A: a solenoid seals it off from suction; it is cleaned for 4 seconds while Filters B and C keep vacuuming.
    • Filter B: the same process runs 6 seconds later, while Filters A and C keep vacuuming.
    • Filter C: the same process runs a further 6 seconds after that, while Filters A and B keep vacuuming.
  • The filter is sealed into its own manifold by a solenoid, and the combination of micro-vibration and a compressed air pulse spreads evenly in all directions, cleaning the full length of the filter.
  • All three filters are cleaned in rotation, and the vacuum can run continuously for as long as it is set by the timer regulator, with zero interruption to suction.

Benefits

Limitations

Continuous suction performance: Filter cleaning takes place while the vacuum remains in operation.

More sophisticated system: Automatic cleaning mechanisms include additional components that require periodic maintenance.

Maximum cleaning efficiency: Automatic cleaning helps to maintain consistent airflow and filtration performance.

Higher purchase cost: Typically the most expensive filter cleaning option.

Ideal for continuous operation: Well suited to production environments where vacuums operate for extended periods.

May exceed application requirements: Simpler cleaning systems are often sufficient for occasional or lower-volume cleaning tasks.

Handles high dust volumes: Designed for demanding applications involving large quantities of material.

No routine operator intervention: Reduces downtime and minimises operator involvement during normal operation.

Supports multi-cartridge filtration systems: Helps to maintain performance across larger filter surface areas.

Filter Types

In addition to finding a filter cleaning system that is suited to your site and application, it is also important to consider the type of filter being used by your Industrial Vacuum Cleaner. Below are some of the key options included in the Klipspringer range.

Star Polyester Filter

Star Polyester Filters use a pleated, star-shaped design that maximises filtration surface area within a compact housing. They are commonly used for general industrial cleaning and are well suited to applications involving conventional dust and routine housekeeping.

Cartridge Filters

Cartridge Filters provide a larger filtration surface area than Star Polyester Filters, making them effective for collecting fine dust while maintaining airflow over longer operating periods. Multiple cartridges can be installed within the same vacuum to increase overall filtration capacity, making these systems well suited to higher-volume or continuous-duty applications.

Cartridge Filters (Class M)

Class M Cartridge Filters are designed for applications involving hazardous industrial dusts that require a higher level of filtration than standard filters. They are commonly supplied with conductive coatings to help dissipate static electricity and can be combined with HEPA filtration where even greater filtration efficiency is required.

HEPA Filters

HEPA Filters are installed as a secondary filtration stage rather than being used as the primary filter. They capture extremely fine dust particles that pass through the primary filter, significantly improving overall filtration efficiency. Depending on the model, HEPA filtration can achieve efficiencies of up to 99.995% for particles as small as 0.3 microns, making it suitable for applications involving fine powders or hazardous dusts.

Anti-Static and Conductive Filters

Antistatic and Conductive Filters are not a separate filter type, but a feature incorporated into primary filtration systems such as Star Polyester or Cartridge Filters. They are designed to safely dissipate static electricity, helping to reduce the risk of sparks in environments where combustible dust is present.

By considering how often your vacuum cleaner will be used, the type and volume of dust being collected, and the level of operator involvement required, you can select a filter cleaning system that delivers reliable performance while minimising maintenance and downtime. Choosing the appropriate filter type will also help to ensure effective dust capture.

For any questions about the Klipspringer range of Industrial Vacuum Cleaners and Accessory Kits, contact us on 01473461800 or sales@klipspringer.com. Alternatively, you can fill out the contact form below and we will be in touch.

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