the manner illustrated engine vibrations and vehicle vibrations from bumps and road unevenness create a shaking action that actually loosens the ash and other deposits which are collected in the particulate filter allowing the action of gravity to take over the loosened ash and other deposits fall down by means of gravitational pull through exhaust pipe 24 see fig1 into catch basin 22 if the t connection 26 is used the loosened ash and other deposits fall down through exhaust pipe 24 a t connection 26 and exhaust pipe 27 see fig1 a into catch basin 22 since the catch basin 22 is closed except for inlet 22 a the ash and other deposits are collected and held for removal at a later time when the ash and other deposits are removed they are available for analysis and or disposal in the context of the present invention it is contemplated that the particulate filter 21 will be used in a vertical exhaust system and actually replace the muffler of such a system the muffler is typically located at the rear of the cab this location for the particulate filter 21 enables the desired vertical orientation and space on the exterior to make the catch basic 22 accessible the particulate filter is attached to the existing exhaust pipes equivalent to pipes 23 24 and 25 using the existing system clamps regarding.