Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning a drum type vacuum filter having a rotating drum and a porous belt wrapped around and rotating with the drum. Liquid in a slurry carried by the belt is withdrawn through the belt and through grids carried on the drum and openings in the drum surface by a vacuum within the drum. Small particles of solids in the slurry are also drawn through the belt and lodge in and clog the grids and drum surface openings. The cleaning apparatus is positioned in a space formed between the belt and the drum by the travel of the belt from the drum and the return of the belt to the drum. The cleaning apparatus has a spray header movable along the length of the drum and carrying a plurality of nozzles facing the drum surface and grids mounted thereon and is connected to a source of high pressure liquid which is sprayed by the nozzles on the drum openings and grids to clean the solids from them.