Oil Cleaning Centrifuges
Protect critical equipment from contamination-related wear with Spinner II® oil cleaning centrifuges. By removing soot, wear particles, and other fine solids from lubricating and hydraulic oil, Spinner II helps maintenance teams improve oil cleanliness, reduce maintenance demands, and extend equipment service life.
Centrifugal Oil Cleaning Built Around the Application
From diesel engines to industrial lubrication systems, Spinner II offers bypass and off-line oil cleaning solutions for a wide range of equipment and operating conditions. These systems process a portion of the oil separately from the main lubrication flow, complementing existing filtration without restricting it. Multiple centrifuge capacities and rotor options let maintenance teams choose a solution based on equipment requirements, contamination levels, and service preferences.
Decades of Proven Centrifugal Oil Cleaning
From OEM engine installations to retrofits on existing equipment, Spinner II centrifuges have a long history of helping operators control oil contamination across demanding applications.
Engineered Products
Spinner II Product Models and Specifications
Compare Spinner II centrifuge models by flow rate, rotor type, and typical applications. Specifications provide a starting point for selection; final sizing and installation requirements should be confirmed with a Spinner II application specialist.
| Product / Model | Flow Rate (GPM) | Rotor Type | Typical Use Cases |
| Model 25 | Up to .8 gpm (3 L/min) | Reusable rotor | Light-duty engines, small hydraulics |
| Model 996 | Up to 2 gpm (7.6 L/min) | Reusable rotor | Medium-duty fleets, off-road equipment |
| Model 200 | Up to 4 gpm (15.1 L/min) | Reusable rotor | Heavy-duty engines, high-soot duty cycles |
| Model 560/596HE | Up to 2 gpm (7.6 L/min) | Sealed disposable rotor | High-volume fleets, simplified servicing |
| Model 3600 | Up to 16 gpm (60.6 L/min) | Reusable rotor | Heavy-duty engines, high-soot duty cycles – off-road equipment |
| Parallel Systems | 100+ gpm (378+ L/min) | Consult factory | Custom applications |
Need help choosing a model? Request a Quote
THE CHALLENGE
Fine Oil Contamination Drives Wear, Cost, and Downtime
Oil contamination is a common reliability problem in engines, hydraulics, gear drives, and transmission systems. Ultra-fine solids can pass through conventional filtration, build up as soot or debris, and accelerate component wear before teams see obvious symptoms.
- Added handling requirements for waste oils, including waste motor oil in fleet applications
- Shorter oil drain intervals and frequent oil changes
- Higher maintenance cost from filter changes, oil disposal, and premature rebuilds
- Downtime risk from lubrication-related failures
- Inconsistent cleanliness across fleets, mobile equipment, and plant assets
HOW IT WORKS
How Spinner II Centrifuges Improve Oil Cleanliness
Spinner II oil centrifuges separate contaminants by spinning oil at high RPM, generating thousands of times the force of gravity. Fine solids are driven out of suspension and packed into a dense cake on the bowl wall, helping remove particles that contribute to wear and oil degradation. Properly sized systems support longer service intervals, more stable oil cleanliness, and better protection for high-load or high-contamination assets.
Watch: How Spinner II Centrifuges Work
Inside the Centrifuge
Spinner II oil-cleaning centrifuges use centrifugal force to separate fine solid contaminants from lubricating oil. Typically powered by the oil system’s own pressure, the rotor spins at high speed, generating forces up to 2,000 times greater than gravity. This forces contaminants out of the oil and deposits them along the rotor wall as a dense, solid cake.
The cleaned oil then returns to the lubrication system, while accumulated contaminants remain in the rotor for removal during routine maintenance. Pump-assisted models are also available for applications requiring an alternative oil supply.
How Spinner II Works with an Engine’s Lubrication System
A Spinner II centrifuge operates as a supplemental bypass oil-cleaning system, processing a portion of the engine oil separately from the main lubrication flow. Oil enters the centrifuge, where centrifugal force separates fine solid contaminants, before returning to the engine sump. The existing full-flow filter continues protecting the engine’s lubrication circuit.
Illustrative engine lubrication system with Spinner II bypass centrifuge. Actual installation configurations vary by equipment and application.
Industries
Common Applications for Oil Cleaning Centrifuges
From commercial fleets and marine vessels to mining equipment and industrial systems, Spinner II centrifuges remove contaminants from lubricating oil to help reduce wear, maintenance costs, and unplanned downtime.
Fleet & Trucking
Transit assets
Maritime
Off-road, Construction, and Mining equipment
General Industrial
Oil & Gas
SERVICES
Application Support from Selection Through Long-Term Operation
Application Sizing
Review equipment type, oil volume, viscosity, temperature, available pressure, contamination profile, duty cycle, and target flow rate.
Installation and Retrofit Guidance
Support engine-mounted, remote-mounted, and offline configurations, including routing, mounting, drain-back, and space considerations.
Startup and Troubleshooting
Help verify operating conditions, rotor function, service intervals, and corrective actions when performance does not match expectations.
Parts, Repair, and Service Planning
Provide replacement parts, rotor and component support, maintenance guidance, spares planning, and waste-handling considerations.
Oil Analysis and Reliability Guidance
Help teams use oil-analysis trends, contamination findings, and operating history to evaluate results and refine maintenance practices.
Why Spinner
Proven Performance. Backed by Technical Expertise.
For more than four decades, Spinner II oil-cleaning centrifuges have helped operators improve fluid cleanliness and protect critical equipment. With a documented history of more than 650,000 units in operation worldwide and OEM installations across numerous engine manufacturers, Spinner II brings established centrifugal oil-cleaning technology to demanding applications.
Available for new equipment or retrofit installations, Spinner II centrifuges are supported by T.F. Hudgins’ application engineering, product selection, installation guidance, and ongoing technical support.
- Application-specific engineering. Selection depends on the oil system and operating conditions, not a catalog number alone.
- Mobile and stationary equipment experience. Support spans fleets, engines, hydraulics, and industrial circulating oil systems.
- Lifecycle support. Customers can access installation guidance, replacement parts, troubleshooting, repair support, and ongoing technical assistance.
- Broader reliability perspective. Oil cleaning can be coordinated with lubrication practices, oil analysis, condition monitoring, equipment repair, and maintenance strategy.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About Spinner II
Can the centrifuge be used with hydraulic oil, gearbox oil, or transmission oil?
Yes. Spinner centrifuges are effective for removing solid contaminants from hydraulic oils, gearbox oils, and transmission oils. For unusual fluids, high-viscosity oils, or severe-duty applications, consult the factory.
Can the Spinner centrifuge remove water?
No. Spinner centrifuges are designed to remove solid contaminants from oil. They are not intended to remove dissolved or free water.
Will the centrifuge remove additives from the oil?
No. Oil additives are designed to be fully soluble in engine oil and are tested to remain in solution across a wide range of normal operating conditions. Active oil additives are not removed by filtration or centrifugal
separation.
How do I know when to service the centrifuge?
A fully loaded rotor typically does not cause a noticeable pressure drop or speed reduction. Based on field experience, most applications can operate effectively with a three-month rotor cleaning interval.
In applications with unusually heavy contamination, you may need shorter service intervals. Consult Spinner II Products or the factory for guidance.
What are the temperature limits for Spinner centrifuges?
Spinner centrifuges equipped with Viton seals can operate continuously up to 302°F.
Spinner centrifuges equipped with Nitrile seals can operate continuously up to 250°F.
What viscosity range is recommended for the centrifuge?
The standard nozzle package is suitable for fluids in the ISO 10 to ISO 320 viscosity range.
For gear oils, high-viscosity fluids, or applications outside this range, consult the factory.
What is the recommended operating pressure?
An inlet pressure of up to 125 psi is acceptable. Most Spinner centrifuges operate between 70 and 80 psi.
The minimum recommended operating pressure should be no less than 30 psi.
What drain options are available for the Spinner centrifuge?
There are two primary drain options:
The first option is a gravity drain directly to a sump or another non-pressurized return area.
The second option uses positive air pressure, either from a compressor or turbo boost. This allows the centrifuge to be installed above or below the drain point and, in some applications, as far as 18 feet from the return location.
What are the mounting limitations of the centrifuge?
The centrifuge may be mounted at a convenient location on the engine or within the engine compartment, provided that the oil feed and oil drain are properly designed.
The two primary installation considerations are the oil supply from the engine to the centrifuge and the oil return from the centrifuge back to the engine sump.
The centrifuge should be mounted vertically, within approximately ±10 degrees. It can tolerate temporary tilting of up to approximately 45 degrees, such as that experienced on earth-moving equipment. Temporary tilt may cause short-term flooding within the centrifuge body due to restricted drainage.
What is the warranty for the Spinner centrifuge?
Spinner II Products warrants its products to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year from the date first placed in operation or 18 months from the date originally sold by Spinner II Products, whichever occurs first.
RESOURCES
Learn More About Oil Cleaning Centrifuges
Proven ROI in Fleet Truck Engines
Data-driven analysis showing how extended oil drains with Spinner II centrifuges can reduce maintenance costs for individual trucks and fleets.
Cleaner Oil, Lower Costs
Towboat application showing the Spinner II CS oil cleaning system keeping lube oil cleaner while reducing filter disposal costs.
Protects from Metal Debris in Mining
Mining application where service intervals were extended and nearly 10 pounds of metal debris were removed to help prevent severe crusher damage.
