Filters and fluids, name brand or generic?

[rob in ore]

I'm going to be doing the 800 hour service on my Kubota B2320. This will be my first time doing major service myself instead of having the dealer do it.

While researching online for filters and fluids I'm finding some on ebay are about half the price of what Messicks offers. It's about a $75 difference. Is it worth the risk to use a cheap filter or should I stick with a name brand?

 

[caver]

Is there a Donaldson or Baldwin equivalent? Maybe post a link to said filter?

 

[kevinj]

For what these tractors cost especially when in warranty I only use Kubota fluids & filters. $75.00 is just change compared to the cost of a hydro transmission and the service of the trans / hyd filters is minimal unless you are commercial operator.

I use mine a lot rarely go over 100 hours a year so a trans change is every 4 years or $20.00 a year added cost.

I use good diesel rated engine oil of the proper viscosity but OEM oil filter.

 

[RjCorazza]

X2 on OEM filters. Even with the quality aftermarket filters, you are relying on a cross reference that may not account for much more than the gasket size and thread.

 

[Jstpssng]

I use OEM. At 400 hour intervals, for me it's a couple of years between fluid changes. Is it really worth taking a chance?

 

[rob in ore]

Thanks to all. Your perspectives make this a valuable forum.

 

[TORQUIN]

I don't know that I would require OEM filters, but use a good quality filter, like, as suggested above, Baldwin or Donaldson. I use mostly Baldwin on my equipment. My worry with Ebay/Amazon is the counterfeit problem that seems to go along with great prices. Be very watchful for that.

Chris

 

[navyjoe]

When I did the first filter change on my L2501 I was surprised to find not a Kubota filter but a Donaldson.

 

[Page2]

Yes to Baldwin or Donaldson filters- from a reputable source (I think you'll find a lot of dealers use these). No to eBay or Amazon, too many fakes. For engine oil, use a name brand - I would stick with Kubota UDT for hydraulics though. IMHO

 

[rScotty]

I'm going to be doing the 800 hour service on my Kubota B2320. This will be my first time doing major service myself instead of having the dealer do it.

While researching online for filters and fluids I'm finding some on ebay are about half the price of what Messicks offers. It's about a $75 difference. Is it worth the risk to use a cheap filter or should I stick with a name brand?

If you are going to use aftermarket instead of OEM filters, it makes sense to study up on how the different filters work in the system. I can't see any other way to tell whether the price difference makes sense.
Or just use OEMs and don't worry about why they cost more.

 

[joc664]

Or is it better to get the cheaper filters and change more often?

 

[rScotty]

Or is it better to get the cheaper filters and change more often?

Assuming that the OEM filter has more surface area of longer lasting filter media, it would be better to get the more expensive OEM filter and change it less often.

 

[vacman]

In my early days of owning my first tractor I did my own service and usually used what was on sale at the farm stores. I don't use my tractor all that much so changing oil is a once a year event for me so at some point I started using OEM Kubota filters bought from my local dealer. If I was buying filters every month it would be different but yearly the cost difference isn't enough for me to shop around. For oil I use Rotella most of the time.

John

 

[WranglerX]

Use primarily WIX on my tractor/mowers/vehicles because they are available OTC locally.... JUst can not x-ref the HST hydraulic filter from MF specs....

 

[YoungMark]

Not knocking these guys but this is typical of how ultra cheap filters are made. What is questionable is the quality and suitability (e.g. does it have the required particle size retention for your particular application?) of the filter media, and the internal cleanliness, i.e. freedom from dirt and swarf. Personally, I'd go for a known brand at least.

 

[ljgordon]

I'm going to be doing the 800 hour service on my Kubota B2320. This will be my first time doing major service myself instead of having the dealer do it.

While researching online for filters and fluids I'm finding some on ebay are about half the price of what Messicks offers. It's about a $75 difference. Is it worth the risk to use a cheap filter or should I stick with a name brand?

I have been using NAPA filters which are the highly rated WIX filters on

I'm going to be doing the 800 hour service on my Kubota B2320. This will be my first time doing major service myself instead of having the dealer do it.

While researching online for filters and fluids I'm finding some on ebay are about half the price of what Messicks offers. It's about a $75 difference. Is it worth the risk to use a cheap filter or should I stick with a name brand?

I have been using NAPA filters on my equipment for about 15 years. NAPA filters are made by WIX which are highly rated filters. I read a test done a couple years ago on oil filters. The best was Toyota wwhich does not make filters for tractors. 2nd was Mobile 1. 3rd was WIX.

 

[Carl_NH]

For oil and hydraulic only use Kubota OEM - they are a few $ more but for 300 hr hydraulic change and 50-80 hour oil change the cost difference is minuscule. Use SUDT and Rotella 15-40 Oil,

For air filters I got an amazon filter - it had no flex rubber sealing ring on the end, while it worked OK - I replaced with the OEM filter. So for the intervals and cost, go OEM.

 

[big bubba]

go OEM CarlNH

enough said

 

[DarkBlack]

Plenty of documented engines with no filtration system at all, such as Honda Gx Engines lasting more hours than filtration system engines.
So … obsess away at your justifications for buying expensive filters.
Just pointing out, the maybe, not so obvious..

 

[rScotty]

Plenty of documented engines with no filtration system at all, such as Honda Gx Engines lasting more hours than filtration system engines.
So … obsess away at your justifications for buying expensive filters.
Just pointing out, the maybe, not so obvious..

Great. It's fun to study something new.
Please attach the documentation.