In a recent technical webinar hosted on behalf of filtration technologies supplier Donaldson Filtration, representatives from the global filtration leader and South African distributor Filter & Hose Solutions (FHS), a member of the Hudaco group, highlighted how clean hydraulic oil, advanced filtration media and localised solutions are transforming reliability and performance in mining operations.

The session featured Donaldson Filtration MSA senior territory manager for Italy, Greece, Cyprus and Malta Giordano Trabucco and Donaldson Filtration hydraulic product manager Bernadette van Wyk, alongside FHS technical sales manager Ernest Heather, who outlined practical strategies for hydraulic system protection in high-dust, high-duty-cycle environments.

Donaldson is a global manufacturer with 140 locations and more than 2 700 active patents. Trabucco presented the company’s capabilities in advanced hydraulic filtration for mobile and industrial equipment, explaining that Donaldson’s filtration systems are designed to reduce emissions, extend component life and improve equipment uptime – all supported by a $69-million yearly research and development budget.

“Donaldson is committed to cleaner, more sustainable industrial operations, and this starts with protecting critical equipment through effective contamination control,” he said.

Contamination is Primary Cause of Failure

Van Wyk, who is the hydraulic product manager for the EMENA region, presented a compelling case for improving hydraulic fluid cleanliness. Contaminants as small as 4 µm – invisible to the human eye – can cause scoring, pitting and premature failure in high-pressure systems.

“Up to 70% of hydraulic component failures can be attributed to contamination,” Van Wyk said. “By the time you can see dirty oil, damage has often already begun.”

She highlighted Donaldson’s proprietary Alpha Web filtration media, which uses a synthetic layer for higher efficiency. Alpha Web allows for four times cleaner oil, lower pressure drop, and a component life increase of up to 60%, reducing maintenance costs and lowering warranty claims.

“This adds clear value to the end-user as this contributes to fewer unplanned shutdowns, reduced maintenance costs and extended oil and filter service intervals,” Van Wyk emphasised.

Alpha Web traps and locks particles in place. It performs under both steady and cyclic flow, offering increased particle retention, high efficiency in dynamic conditions and four times cleaner oil than standard filters.

Meanwhile, Heather emphasised that FHS, as a long-standing Donaldson distributor, focuses on engineered solutions rather than off-the-shelf sales. He provided case studies illustrating how FHS clients are reducing downtime and improving reliability through proactive oil management.

In one example, a plant hire company operating high-hour machines in severe conditions switched to Donaldson’s Synteq media filters. “They saw an 83% increase in component life — from 12 000 to 22 000 hours — and monthly downtime dropped by more than half,” Heather said.

A second case study involved a contract miner that implemented a kidney-loop filtration system on site and in its workshop. This allowed the team to move from reactive maintenance to proactive servicing, resulting in ISO cleanliness levels that exceeded original-equipment targets, fewer failures and improved productivity.

FHS supports these efforts with integrated sales, warehousing, technical and manufacturing operations, including in-house metal fabrication. The company recently expanded its footprint to Lepalale, strengthening its presence in key mining regions.

Upcoming innovations include quick-connect service stations that minimise the risk of contamination during fluid top-ups. These systems ensure the correct grade of oil is added, with clean-handling protocols that improve contamination control at the source.

Filtration as a Strategic Investment

All three speakers agreed that filtration should be seen not as a grudge purchase but as a long-term investment in uptime and operational performance.

“Filtration is fundamental to total cost of ownership,” said Trabucco. “It protects your assets, improves efficiency, and helps operations remain productive under extreme conditions.”

“Work with partners who understand your environment,” added Heather. “We don’t just sell filters—we help mines run cleaner, longer and more efficiently.”