A vacuum loader system is disclosed. In the vacuum loader system, the air inlet comprises a load-bearing member of a support structure that supports the system. The vacuum loader system also includes a filter chamber with co-located primary and secondary or safety filter elements. A safety filter element is at the center of the filter chamber, surrounded by primary filter elements. After the air flows through the primary and safety filter elements, it is directed downwardly, out of the filter chamber and back toward the blower, beyond which it is ultimately expelled through a silenced outlet. In some embodiments, the conduit that carries air from the filter chamber toward the blower may also be a member of the support structure.