Best place to buy filters

[rScotty]

That price does seem high for a hydraulic filter! Have you tried checking online retailers or local auto parts stores? Sometimes they carry compatible filters at a much lower price than the dealer. Also, sites like Tractor Supply or even eBay can have good deals. Hope that helps!

I'm just guessing, but there could be as many different filter systems as there are tractor brands. "Compatible" covers too much territory to make me feel comfortable.

I'm a tech guy. I'd be surprised if there are any compatible aftermarket filters when it comes to the way that our Kubota HST transmission filter system functions.

There probably are compatible types if that means it screws onto the filter fitting and has some sort of filter inside. Lots of filters use a standard mount.

 

[sixdogs]

With filters, I buy OEM from the dealer when they have their 10% off sales in the spring and fall. It brings the price within reason and I can be sure I'm not getting a knock off or seconds filter. Those things do happen.

Most filters can be bought anywhere so OEM stuff has to be priced competitively to keep customers coming back to the dealer so they will return there when they need another tractor or service. The only time I find something outrageous is for a unique filter not yet generically made. I go ahead and buy anyway because I know what I'll be getting.

For years I cross referenced and searched for the best deal and mostly all I got was tired. It was a lot of work for peanuts. Just my two cents here.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

I just checked my NH TC29D filters on the Wix site, $35 hydraulic compared to over $100 at dealer. Something to think about. Wix filters are rated great for cars/trucks. Does that quality carry over?

 

[aba4430]

If the Wix part number crosses over to the OE part, it should be fine.

 

[grsthegreat]

I stick with oem on the tractor filters. First, i dont trust aftermarket junk, and secondly, i want to support my dealer so he stays around. Ill spend $150 any day to prevent a $10,000 tractor split and repair anyday.

 

[rScotty]

If the Wix part number crosses over to the OE part, it should be fine.

Based on what?

 

[Mike1955]

On the utube reviews I’ve seen wix is at the top on filtering ability of the popular brands. I don’t know how they compare to OEM. I think Napa gold is the same as wix. That’s what Napa told me

 

[aba4430]

Based on what?

In the same way a Purolator Boss PBL14610 or Mobil 1 M110A filter crosses over to a Nissan 15208-9E01A filter for my Nissan Titan; this example is just to illustrate that the equipment manufacturer does not typically manufacture filters. They will contract the filter manufacture to a company that actually is in the filtration business. The example filters meet all the Nissan OE filter specs.

Same reason as to why most folks are not hesitant to use aftermarket motor oil in their equipment vs. a OE branded oil, i.e. the oil meets the tractor manufacturer’s specifications. The tractor manufacturer does not manufacture motor oil typically.

If the Wix application indicates that their filter meets the OE filter requirements, then it is most likely alright. I would check dimensions, bypass valve pressure specifications etc. For the OP, I recommend checking Baldwin, Wix, Fleetguard, Donaldson cross references to ensure that any aftermarket filter is a direct interchange for the OE hydraulic filter.

For my JD LX178 that I have satisfactory owned since 1995, I use Purolator or Fram oil filters for the Kawasaki liquid cooled motor, but a genuine JD air filter. For my Yanmar SA425 acquired in 2023, I have been using OE filters. For example I can get the Yanmar oil filter for ~$9, hydraulic filters for ~$45 and ~$15 etc. When I run out of the OE filters, I will research aftermarket parts as necessary at the time and decide.

A blanket statement that aftermarket parts are garbage or junk is untrue. A reputed filter manufacturer does not just ensure that the threads are the same and there is filter inside the can prior to claiming compatibility to the OE part.

In summary however, folks are free to make their own choices.

 

[rScotty]

In the same way a Purolator Boss PBL14610 or Mobil 1 M110A filter crosses over to a Nissan 15208-9E01A filter for my Nissan Titan; this example is just to illustrate that the equipment manufacturer does not typically manufacture filters. They will contract the filter manufacture to a company that actually is in the filtration business. The example filters meet all the Nissan OE filter specs.

Same reason as to why most folks are not hesitant to use aftermarket motor oil in their equipment vs. a OE branded oil, i.e. the oil meets the tractor manufacturer’s specifications. The tractor manufacturer does not manufacture motor oil typically.

If the Wix application indicates that their filter meets the OE filter requirements, then it is most likely alright. I would check dimensions, bypass valve pressure specifications etc. For the OP, I recommend checking Baldwin, Wix, Fleetguard, Donaldson cross references to ensure that any aftermarket filter is a direct interchange for the OE hydraulic filter.

For my JD LX178 that I have satisfactory owned since 1995, I use Purolator or Fram oil filters for the Kawasaki liquid cooled motor, but a genuine JD air filter. For my Yanmar SA425 acquired in 2023, I have been using OE filters. For example I can get the Yanmar oil filter for ~$9, hydraulic filters for ~$45 and ~$15 etc. When I run out of the OE filters, I will research aftermarket parts as necessary at the time and decide.

A blanket statement that aftermarket parts are garbage or junk is untrue. A reputed filter manufacturer does not just ensure that the threads are the same and there is filter inside the can prior to claiming compatibility to the OE part.

In summary however, folks are free to make their own choices.

Interesting. I take a different approach. I look at the hydraulic system schematic and at what specs I can find, then use my experience in manufacturing engineering to think about how I would design a filter to meet those specs. Making filters right is a difficult technical target - which is another way of saying that good ones are necessarily expensive.

So I end up asking myself if what know about their filtration makes sense with their prices.

Take Kubota's hydraulic/HST filters for example. The primary spin-on filter is a standard suction type, although it is more heavily built and has tighter filtering specs than is normal to the industry. I'd have to test one and take it apart to see if their higher price is justified. My gut feeling is it is slightly overpriced.

Kubota's secondary HST filtration is a different matter. They use an additional super fine filter just for the HST transmission. That one has much tighter specs than can be accomplished with a suction hydraulic filter. It's up there with medical/industrial filters. To force the fluid through that HST filter requires positive pressure and that means a different media, canister, and seal. The benefit is It not only ultra-filters the fluid to the HST tranny, it also provides extra bypass filtration for the entire hydraulic system. The specs on that filter are impressive for the cost.

Special filtration takes special filters and it's a small market. I'm not sure that I would want to take a chance on mass production making that product cheaper and as good.

rScotty