Disc filter price is mainly affected by three things: inlet/body size, mesh or micron grade, and backwash type. As a rule of thumb, moving from a 2 inch manual unit to a 3 inch automatic unit raises cost because you pay for more filtration area, larger valves, higher flow capacity, and self-cleaning controls.
What is a disc filter and which specifications drive price?
A disc filter is an irrigation filtration unit that uses stacked grooved plastic rings, also called discs, to trap sand, silt, algae and other particles. Water passes through the grooves while solids are held on the surface and within the disc stack. Buyers may also call these units disk filters, disc strainers, disc filtration units or dripline filters.
The main price drivers are connection size, maximum flow, filtration area, mesh size, body material, pressure rating and cleaning method. A larger filter is not always better. It should match the pump flow, pipe size and emitter requirements. The key rule is to size the filter for flow first, then select the mesh grade and cleaning method.
For example, HJLYGL T-type manual disc filter units include the HJLYGLT002-1M2D in 2 inch / DN50 and the HJLYGLT003-1M3D in 3 inch / DN80. The listed range covers 198-699 cm² of filtration area and 26-56 m³/h maximum flow, with male thread, clamp or flange connections.
| Price factor | Lower-cost option | Higher-cost option | Buying note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inlet size | 1.2 inch to 2 inch units | 3 inch to 4 inch units | Match pipe and pump flow; avoid selecting by price alone. |
| Filtration area | Smaller disc stack | Larger or multiple disc stacks | More area usually means longer intervals between cleaning. |
| Mesh grade | Coarser grades, such as 40-80 mesh | Finer grades, such as 150-300 mesh | Finer discs protect small emitters but may need more frequent cleaning. |
| Backwash type | Manual cleaning | Semi-automatic or fully automatic backwash | Automation adds valves, controllers and hydraulic components. |
| Connection | Standard male thread | Clamp or flange | Flanged units are common on larger commercial systems. |
| System layout | Single filter | Manifold or multi-filter station | Multi-unit setups support higher flow and uninterrupted irrigation. |
How do filter size, flow and filtration area affect cost?
Size affects price because a larger disc filter needs more plastic or metal, more discs, larger seals, bigger housings and larger connections. It also handles more water. The HJLYGL T-type range spans 2 inch / DN50 to 3 inch / DN80 examples, with maximum flow from 26 to 56 m³/h and filtration area from 198 to 699 cm².
A small filter on an oversized pump can create high pressure loss and frequent clogging. A filter that is too large may cost more than the project requires. A practical rule is to choose a filtration unit with enough area and flow capacity for the pump, backup units and future block expansion.
Connection style can also change the quotation. Male thread is common on smaller laterals and pump outlets. Clamp connections can speed maintenance. Flanged connections are often used on larger pipeline sizes where a rigid, serviceable connection is recommended.
How do mesh, micron and filtration degree change the price and performance?
Mesh, micron and filtration degree describe how finely the discs filter. Higher mesh usually means finer openings. Finer discs can cost more in some product configurations because the grooves are tighter and quality control is more demanding, but the price difference is usually smaller than the jump from manual to automatic backwash.
The HJLYGL disc filtration range covers approximately 40-300 mesh, or about 400 micron down to 50 micron. Common T-type grades include 80 mesh, about 180 micron and color-coded green; 120 mesh, about 125 micron and red; and 150 mesh, about 100 micron and orange. Maximum working pressure for these T-type examples is 10 bar, or 145 psi, and maximum water temperature is 60°C.
| Mesh | Approximate micron | Typical irrigation use |
|---|---|---|
| 40 mesh | ~400 micron | Coarse protection for pumps, mainlines and less sensitive equipment. |
| 80 mesh | ~180 micron | A common choice for general farm irrigation and many drip systems. |
| 120 mesh | ~125 micron | Finer protection for drip tape, emitters and small dripper passages. |
| 150 mesh | ~100 micron | Used where water carries fine silt and emitters need tighter protection. |
| 200 mesh | ~75 micron | Very fine filtration; check water quality and cleaning frequency. |
| 300 mesh | ~50 micron | Fine-grade application requiring careful pre-filtration planning. |
The rule is not “finer is always better.” A very fine disc stack can block faster in sandy or algae-rich water. Many systems work better when a hydrocyclone sand separator, screen strainer or media filter is placed before the disc filter. For example, the HJLX-3 hydrocyclone sand separator can be considered for water with heavy sand load before final disc filtration.
Which backwash type costs more: manual, semi-automatic or fully automatic?
Manual disc filters are usually the lowest purchase price because an operator opens the unit, removes or loosens the disc stack, rinses the rings and reassembles them. They work well for small farms, seasonal use, low sediment loads and sites where labor is available.
Semi-automatic units reduce some manual work by using valves or a rinse sequence, but they may still require operator initiation. Fully automatic self-cleaning disc filters cost more because they add control valves, pressure-differential or timer logic, hydraulic components, bypass piping and often a more complex housing.
A common budgeting rule is: manual has the lowest upfront cost, semi-automatic sits in the middle, and fully automatic backwash has the highest filter price but lower routine labor.
- Check water quality. Heavy sand or silt usually needs pre-separation and more frequent cleaning.
- Calculate design flow. Confirm pump flow in m³/h, gpm or L/s and compare it with the filter's maximum flow.
- Choose the mesh grade. Match the filtration degree to drip tape, emitters, laterals, micro-sprinklers or other downstream equipment.
- Select the cleaning method. Choose manual, semi-automatic or fully automatic backwash based on labor, operating hours and reliability needs.
- Confirm installation details. Specify 2 inch, 3 inch or another size; male thread, clamp or flange; pressure rating; and number of filter units.
- Ask for a complete quotation. Compare filter body, discs, seals, valves, controller, spare parts, lead time and shipping, not only the unit price.
Why do quotations differ between suppliers for the same nominal size?
Two filters marked 2 inch or 3 inch are not necessarily equal. Quotations can differ because filtration area, disc quantity, ring design, body wall thickness, valve quality, pressure rating, connection type, automation package and spare-parts support are different. The stated inlet size alone does not define the complete filtration unit.
Disc design matters. Grooved rings provide both surface and depth filtration. Some HJLYGL units also use a centrifugal inlet design intended to keep larger particles away from the disc stacks and reduce head loss. That type of hydraulic design can influence both performance and price.
Commercial terms matter as well. Common HJLYGL models typically have a 7-15 day lead time, sample orders are welcome, and OEM/ODM support can cover logo, packaging, port sizes from 1-4 inches and filtration degrees. The company, associated with Lvze Hongsen / Henan Haojun Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. in Zhengzhou, China, is ISO 9001 certified and reports 14+ years of manufacturing and exports to 30+ countries. Warranty is listed as up to 10 years under normal use, with long-term spare-parts supply.
The comparison rule is to request the specification sheet and quotation on the same basis: size, mesh, flow, area, pressure, connection and backwash scope.
How much should buyers budget for a disc filter?
There is no single universal disc filter price because costs vary by country, port, material, order quantity, connection and automation level. A 2 inch manual T-type disc filter will typically cost less than a 3 inch model, while a fully automatic backwash system will cost more than a manual strainer because of controls and valves.
For project estimating, request separate prices for the filter body, replacement disc packs, pressure gauges, valves, manifolds, controllers and installation fittings. For large irrigation blocks, dealers may also compare disc filters with screen filters, sand media filters and hydrocyclone separators. Each has a different role: cyclones handle heavy sand, media filters often handle organic load, and disc filters provide compact final protection for drip systems.
The budgeting rule is to compare total installed cost, including cleaning labor and replacement parts, rather than only the initial filter price.
Frequently asked questions
Does a higher mesh number always cost more?
Often, finer mesh such as 150-300 mesh can carry a modest premium, but the larger price increase usually comes from bigger size and automatic backwash. Confirm both mesh and micron before ordering.
What mesh is reliable for drip irrigation?
There is no single grade for every field. Eighty mesh, about 180 micron, is common for general drip irrigation, while 120 or 150 mesh may be selected for smaller emitters or silt-laden water after proper pre-filtration.
Is a manual disc filter cheaper than an automatic one?
Usually yes. A manual filter has fewer valves and controls, while a fully automatic backwash filter includes automation components and usually has a higher purchase price.
Why does a 3 inch filter cost more than a 2 inch filter?
A 3 inch unit typically has a larger body, more discs, greater filtration area, higher flow capacity and larger connections. In the HJLYGL T-type examples, the range covers 26-56 m³/h and 198-699 cm².
Are disc filters and screen filters the same?
No. Disc filters use stacked grooved rings, while screen filters use a mesh screen element. Disc filters are often chosen when compact depth filtration and easy modular cleaning are needed.
When should a sand separator be added before a disc filter?
Add a hydrocyclone sand separator when well or river water contains heavy sand. It removes coarse abrasive particles before the disc filter, helping reduce clogging and cleaning frequency.
What information should be sent to get an accurate price?
Send flow rate, pipe size, water source, particle type, working pressure, required mesh or micron, emitter type, recommended connection, desired backwash method and number of irrigation zones.
Can port size and filtration degree be customized?
HJLYGL supports OEM/ODM options including logo, packaging, 1-4 inch port sizes and filtration degrees, subject to model and order confirmation.
Size the filtration station for the worst-case water quality and design flow, because protection of emitters depends on correctly matched separation, fineness and cleaning capacity.