PRODUCT EVALUATION
❏;No one likes to constantly replace
or clean a reusable air filter after
every other big ride. Especially when
it comes to riding in the sand or
desert, changing filters is a constant
need. S&B Filters designed a new
air-filtration system called a Particle
Separator, with technology derived
from military helicopters. To put it simply, this $399 system sucks in dust and
pushes it back out, allowing clean air
to reach your air filter.
HOW IT WORKS
S&B’s patent-pending design that
is currently for the Polaris RZR (more
UTV models to come) starts with the
intake grate. Nineteen tubes spin the
air and dust in a cyclone that allows
the dirt to spin to the outer walls of the
tubes. The dirt then falls downward
to an electric fan that propels the dirt
and dust behind the intake opening.
The clean air that was separated with
this process continues on into the
intake tubes that are attached to the
roll cage, then down into the RZR’s
intake system to the air filter. S&B
performs rigorous testing of their fil-
ter systems to make sure horsepower
isn’t robbed from the machine, and
they claim this system won’t lessen
your machine’s power and instead
keep it consistent through hours of
riding. S&B’s Particle Separator also
doubles as a snorkel since it utilizes
watertight tubing and is mounted up
high on your machine. It clamps onto
your UTV’s roll cage in the rear with
their specially designed aluminum
mounts that fit multiple-sized cage
tubes and can even be mounted with
roofs. The intake tube that comes out
of the Particle Separator then goes
down to the stock intake opening
location to a part that replaces the
stock one.
THE TEST
We took two machines on a long
desert loop in one of our secret testing locations. We had a RZR XP 1000
with the Particle Separator installed
follow another machine in its dust
for 30 miles with the system running.
After the first loop we changed air
filters, then disconnected the particle
separator and did the same long loop
again to test the usefulness of S&B’s
product. Upon inspection of the air
filter with the Particle Separator run-
ning, the airbox and filter remained
quite fresh and clean. After we
got done with the second loop we
cracked open the air-filter box again.
This time the whole inside of the box
was coated in dust and the filter was
as well. S&B’s Particle Separator did
its job and kept out most all of the dirt
and dust an air filter would normally
be saturated with. This means your
machine can keep breathing deep-
ly for hours of riding in the dirtiest
terrain, and you will maintain your
machine’s power through races or
recreational riding. S&B claims that
their system will keep your $75 air-fil-
ter cleaner 15 times longer than a
normal intake system. And from what
we saw, we believe it. In addition
to their Particle Separator, S&B has
a full-intake system coming out for
the RZR XP 1000, as well as a clutch
intake snorkel kit. With a setup like
that, it’s doubtful your machine will
stop breathing properly.
FINAL THOUGHTS
S&B Filters specializes in air-intake
and filter systems for trucks and SUVs,
like the machines we tow our ATVs
and UTVs with. They are now branching into the UTV industry, starting
with the Particle Separator system
that doubles as an intake snorkel.
They also have a full-intake kit and
a clutch intake snorkel system in the
works. We took a stroll through their
factory to see how they make their
intake systems and were impressed
with the high-quality materials they
use to keep their systems lasting a
long time. If that is any indication as
to what the Particle Separator will
live up to, then we have high hopes
for S&B’s new product. Call (909) 947-
0015 or go to www.sbfilters.com to
order their system for yourself. ❏
S&B PARTICLE SEPARATOR
Keep your air filter cleaner longer
By the staff of Dirt Wheels
Once the dust- and debris-filled air enters the Particle
Separator, a fan pulls most of all the dirt back out into
the open once the clean air has been pulled to the
RZR’s air filter.
S&B’s Particle Separator replaces the stock RZR
intake grate with a fully sealed system up to the
Separator. The system hooks onto many differ-ent-sized roll cages.
Nineteen specially designed cones
spin the dust and air once it enters
the Separator and causes the dust to
cyclone to the outside walls of each
tube. Clean air continues on through
smaller tubes, while the dust falls down
and gets sucked back out into the open
air behind you.
