Racor 215r Installation on L4060

[RjCorazza]

I finally got around to installing a Racor fuel filter (215r) on my tractor. It didn't take long, but I did learn a few things...

I agonized over the micron rating of the Racor (2,10, or 30) and where in the fuel system to put it. I ended up trying a 2 micron filter, and put the Racor in place of the OEM water separator / filter. Not ideal for a 2 micron filter, as it comes immediately after the tank and before the OEM spin on filter (presumably a 10-20 micron filter, but it's impossible to determine). Worst case is that I will be going through 2 micron Racor filters quickly, and will switch to a 10 micron.

I filter fuel going into my equipment with a 10 micron water blocking filter, so I start off with reasonably clean fuel. Anyway, I also used 2 inline shut off valves. In hindsight, probably not necessary as the tank is below the filter on the intake, and the filter output goes straight to a 12v lift pump.

Currently the filter is mounted to the loader frame with one bolt. It seems secure enough, though I may drill and tap another mounting hole. I never take the loader off so that's a non issue.

When priming the Racor I was unable to fill the unit with their nifty hand pump and vent. I guess it was too high a lift (was less than their max lift spec). It filled fine just bleeding the tractor with the 12v lift pump like Kubota says to do it.

We'll see how long the 2 micron filter lasts! Based on the appearance of the OEM water separator / pre filter after 684 hours I think I will be fine.

 

[Smokeydog]

Good improvement augmenting the OEM fuel system. Don’t think you can go wrong keeping the fuel clean.

 

[jonsstihl]

Nice work. so the fuel systems are quite different on the 60 series compared to the 40 series. So If I understand you correctly the 60 series has a metal strainer in the water separator and then a spin on filter in the fuel system.

My 40 series just has a paper element in the water separator. tanks are mounted higher so the 40 series are gravity feed.

how old is your 4060? I thought they used the same fuel system and only recently started making changes

 

[RjCorazza]

Nice work. so the fuel systems are quite different on the 60 series compared to the 40 series. So If I understand you correctly the 60 series has a metal strainer in the water separator and then a spin on filter in the fuel system.

My 40 series just has a paper element in the water separator. tanks are mounted higher so the 40 series are gravity feed.

how old is your 4060? I thought they used the same fuel system and only recently started making changes

My L4060 was bought in 2016, and does have a coarse mesh filter in the water separator as well as the spin on filter further downstream. My previous L3410 had a water separator / filter combo like you describe on your 40 series.

I don't see my L4060 OEM fuel filters being any better than the L3410, although the micron ratings are basically unknown. I suspect the stainless pre filter is around 50 microns and the final spin on filter is 10-20 microns - that's just a guess though.

 

[MHarryE]

The L4060 has a common rail fuel system from Denso. Standard spec for Denso common rails is 2 micron but Kubota needs to design their system to Denso’s spec if it wants Denso’s support (and I think they do). Moving from the L5470 to the L6060 jumped fuel system pressure from 1500 psi to over 20,000 psi so filtration needed to be improved.

 

[jonsstihl]

they probably should have kept the standard paper filter in the separator and added the spin on filter. I wonder if it interchanges with the metal mesh one. as long as you change it regularly it shouldn't cause any issues with restriction of flow.

Is the lift pump before or after all these filters on the stock system?

looks like you picked the right micron rating.

 

[RjCorazza]

they probably should have kept the standard paper filter in the separator and added the spin on filter. I wonder if it interchanges with the metal mesh one. as long as you change it regularly it shouldn't cause any issues with restriction of flow.

Is the lift pump before or after all these filters on the stock system?

looks like you picked the right micron rating.

There is a 12v lift pump, and I presume a mechanical lift pump at #3 and #7 in the below diagram. Racor recommends installing their filter on the suction side, so I used the location of the OEM water separator.
So the OEM fuel system is Separator > 12v lift pump > Feed pump > Spin on filter.

 

[jonsstihl]

ok so you replaced the OEM separator with the racor unit. and kept the original spin on filter. So the racor unit couldn't fit in the stock location of the separator?

 

[5030]

I don't see my L4060 OEM fuel filters being any better than the L3410, although the micron ratings are basically unknown. I suspect the stainless pre filter is around 50 microns and the final spin on filter is 10-20 microns - that's just a guess though.

Kubota spin on fuel filters are 80 micron pass according to my Kubota dealer. Have my Conus base with a Genuine Racor water block filter (30 micron pass) mounted in the same place as you have yours. I removed the brass screen in the sediment bowl as it's no longer needed and most likely no more spin on primary filter changes either. Install was easy. Ran the fuel line from the right saddle tank (the fuel pickup is in the right saddle tank) to the inlet on the fuel polishing unit and the fuel line from the primary spin on filter to the polishing unit. So far I have not had to drain the clear bowl. I did buy the optional fuel heater that screws into the bowl as it gets pretty cold here in the winter. I considered the 2 micron pass to be overkill. Got them on both tractors and on my diesel pickup truck as well.

 

[5030]

ok so you replaced the OEM separator with the racor unit. and kept the original spin on filter. So the racor unit couldn't fit in the stock location of the separator?

That is correct, at least on my M9's it is. Not enough room on my units.