Abstract: Apparatus to remove dust particles accumulating within the air cleaner of a ehicle engine, particularly an off-the-road vehicle of the military type. The apparatus includes a nozzle arranged to traverse the surface of the filter element within the cleaner, said nozzle being effective to blow or draw air through the pores of the filter element, thereby dislodging dust particles located on or in the filter element. The nozzle and filter element rotate relative to one another, whereby the nozzle traverses the entire peripheral dimension of the element; additionally the nozzle opening can be arranged to move in the direction of the filter element axis. By means of the combined axial and rotary movements the nozzle cleans the entire surface of the filter element.