All all the hst cross referenced filters the same? Is the hitachi the same as the donaldson? I wonder who makes the T4125-38021 for kioti.
You said :" The Donaldson P573481 is used widely in Caterpillar machinery within similar systems of equal pressures and fluids. And the filter fits my Kioti quite nicely." One would think that substituting should be safe and the savings would be aprox 50.00 due to Kioti's high price.
First place I confirmed the Kioti T4125-38021 HST filter had a cross reference was through cummins/fleetguard crossreference website here
Cummins Filtration - Catalog - Part Search
Just plug in the kioti number, and it will tell you that Hitachi is the manufacturer of the filter along with Hitachi's cross reference #T412538021 and fleetguard #HF35519. With those two numbers you can cross reference to the others I've listed on the spreadsheet through their respective websites. The Donaldson filter seems to be the easiest to find and purchase, and they are a reputable company.
If I had to shoot from the hip, I'd say that Daedong/Kioti gets them through donaldson, as they already deal with them for their air filter assemblies, and Donaldson gets them made by Hitachi. But I dont really know this, and is pure speculation.
Some say, well why not just buy the $110 HST filter for the $25,000~ machine you just purchased, 60 more dollars is a small price to pay for piece of mind and certainty, and I understand that. Another might sarcastically say, good for you, buy the snake oil Gold lined magic daedong filter that prevents rust in the daedongs one of a kind ultra tight toleranced supermega galactic HST. But for me, personally, I try to ride in the middle somewhere. Question everything. Question why Daedong charges so much for the filter, where it comes from, Question the dealership if something they say sounds strange, they can make mistakes too, Question this very post and the information I've provided, question it all and share your findings.
:drink:
Its the best way for all of us to be as accurate as possible.