Confused about oil change

[big bubba]

Synthetic filter rather than cellulose (cardboard) filter.

I wasn't looking for a pi**ing contest over OEM vs aftermarket filter quality. It's my money so if I want to spend a couple bucks more for a filter that based on my research is a better quality filter, that's my choice. There's enough other people out there using Wix and NAPA filters and having good luck without their tractors blowing up.

I was just interested in finding out if anyone else was using a M1-104 filter on their tractor in place of the OEM filter as the M1 is a shorter.

fair enough if that's what you think. might get more responses in the "oil, fuel, lubricants" forum as this really is not about kubota maintenance but the make up of oem (cardboard as you say) vs synthetic filter material. good luck

 

[Teikas Dad]

Thanks. I'll post on the lube forum too, thanks for the suggestion.

 

[dragoneggs]

Synthetic filter rather than cellulose (cardboard) filter. I wasn't looking for a pi**ing contest over OEM vs aftermarket filter quality. It's my money so if I want to spend a couple bucks more for a filter that based on my research is a better quality filter, that's my choice. There's enough other people out there using Wix and NAPA filters and having good luck without their tractors blowing up. I was just interested in finding out if anyone else was using a M1-104 filter on their tractor in place of the OEM filter as the M1 is a shorter.

Yeah... Peace! I am not trying to be a jerk, I just was honestly trying to question (and hopefully learn) about any discernible difference in performance. I personally can not tell any difference in any filter I have ever used on any motor vehicle. Just saying I think there are much more important variables such as the oil used, frequency of change (oil and filter), how the engine is worked, etc.

 

[Teikas Dad]

Yeah... Peace! I am not trying to be a jerk, I just was honestly trying to question (and hopefully learn) about any discernible difference in performance. I personally can not tell any difference in any filter I have ever used on any motor vehicle. Just saying I think there are much more important variables such as the oil used, frequency of change (oil and filter), how the engine is worked, etc.

I hear you. As I only change the oil once a year due to the low hours I put on the tractor I switched to synthetic oil and went with the M1 filter as it's designed for extended interval. If I was putting a lot of hours on the tractor I'd probably keep using cheaper dino oil and the Kubota filters. I did a lot of research on the net...hey, it's on the internet so it's got to be true right?....and the M1 filters always seem to come out in the top 3 or 4 brands for quality/construction, etc.

 

[2458n]

Sounds to me like your tractor is in good hands. You just are not using it enough. Prime job should be getting your *** in the seat more often. You have the oil stuff covered.

 

[Sodo]

If ya wanna extend the life of a tractor by doting on it you hafta buy a sketchy brand. I don't think there's much you can do outside of normal maintenance to extend the life of a Kubota.

 

[s219]

Did you look inside the new filter and the original/OEM to make sure they had the same features, like baffles, anti-siphons, or check valves? That's the only thing I would be concerned about if the filter properly fits otherwise.

I once ran into a problem changing oil on some fleet trucks for my dad's construction company. Several of the OEM filters were setup to not allow oil to drain back into the sump when engine was off, so that oil would stay in bearings and passages. The replacement filters did not have this feature. Some of the trucks would have bearing noise on cold starts as a result, so we went back to the OEM filters.

 

[Teikas Dad]

Did you look inside the new filter and the original/OEM to make sure they had the same features, like baffles, anti-siphons, or check valves? That's the only thing I would be concerned about if the filter properly fits otherwise.

I once ran into a problem changing oil on some fleet trucks for my dad's construction company. Several of the OEM filters were setup to not allow oil to drain back into the sump when engine was off, so that oil would stay in bearings and passages. The replacement filters did not have this feature. Some of the trucks would have bearing noise on cold starts as a result, so we went back to the OEM filters.

I held them up side by side and the only difference I could see was the number of holes in the steel plate/mount on the end of the filter. The OEM had 1 more hole. Other than that the interior dimensions and features looked the same....except for the length of the filter.

 

[MHarryE]

The comment about OEM filters being inferior - supplied by the lowest bidder - not very accurate. We don't want premature failures - they cost us money in both warranty and bad publicity. I can't speak for all the companies of course, but I just assumed that others would have the same reasoning as us. Therefore only Kubota filters on my Kubota tractors, Deere on our Deeres, and New Holland on our New Holland.

 

[Teikas Dad]

The comment about OEM filters being inferior - supplied by the lowest bidder - not very accurate. We don't want premature failures - they cost us money in both warranty and bad publicity. I can't speak for all the companies of course, but I just assumed that others would have the same reasoning as us. Therefore only Kubota filters on my Kubota tractors, Deere on our Deeres, and New Holland on our New Holland.

I didn't say that Kubota filters were "inferior", I'm sure they meet all the specs that Kubota established and are good filters. I wanted to go above and beyond what is specified in an effort to ensure that my tractor outlasts me.

Again, the purpose of my original post was not to start a "tastes great/less filling" debate. I was curious about the smaller length of the filter and wanted to see if anyone else was using the M1-104.