Stuck Hydro Filter Will Not come Off!

HarleyBob · Nov 12, 2003

I am doing the first Hydro change on my L3010 HST and the transmission filter (left side) will not come off. The Hydro filter (right side) came off fine. I broke one filter wrench and bought a $40.00 super wrench that turned it maybe 1/4 turn and no more. Any tips on how to get this off. In the past I have taken off engine oil filters by driving a screwdriver through it. This filter is thick and would have to be drilled. I do not want it to come apart, leaving a bigger mess to get off.
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sandyc · Nov 12, 2003

I have had great luck using a "strap" wrench....like the ones that Sears sells. You can also add a bit of pipe to the handle if you need a bit more leverage.

Good luck....

Junkman · Nov 12, 2003

My inclination would be to call the selling dealer and explain the situation. That way, if the dealer thinks that there is something wrong, it can be brought into the shop and removed. If there is any damage, then it would be covered under the warranty. If the selling dealer isn't aware of the problem and something does break, then it might not be covered. If it won't come off with the tools that you have used and you were only able to get a 1/4 turn and it stopped, there is a very good chance that it was cross threaded when it was installed at the factory. If this is the case and the threaded stub is damaged, better to have them get involved now rather than later. I always prefer to err on the side of caution, than to gamble and loose......

HarleyBob · Nov 12, 2003

Well I got it off. It takes a spanner wrench on the base. If you just turn the filter body, it comes off the base. Does Kubota have a wrench to do this (in another 300 hours)? I used a punch and hammer to get it to go around. ALSO, I was only able to tighten 1/2 turn after contact, not the full turn asked for in the manual.

Junkman · Nov 13, 2003

If you lubed the gasket surface and it looks like it is tight against the housing, I wouldn't worry about it. That book was probably written by a person that never even took an oil filter off once.....
This might be the wrench that you need ........ web page

wrench with 3 jaws.....

another good wrench.......

HarleyBob · Nov 13, 2003

I tested under load and no leaks with only 1/2 turn, but judging from the difficulty I had getting it off, the factory made one full turn. The wrench I need fits in notches around the base of the filter. Anything that attaches to the cannister itself turns it seperate from the base and it comes apart. I would like to get it close to as tight as the factory had it, as they must have had a reason for it.

Junkman · Nov 13, 2003

What you are in need of is an end cap wrench. I would take the old filter to a auto parts store and see if they have what you need. I know that KD makes some and there are other companies also that make them. The problem is finding on that will fit your filter... I am going to look for one for my tractor before the 50 hour service.... Junkman KD tools.....

RoyJackson · Nov 13, 2003

"What you are in need of is an end cap wrench."

These help a lot...strap wrenches tend to slip all too frequently.
But even the end cap wrenches won't help it the filter housing turns in the (crimped) end of the filter.

Best way to reduce this possibility is lubricate the gasket, tighten by hand, then snug the filter (using the end cap or strap wrench) about ¼ turn.

Overtightening can actually warp the end of the filter resulting in leaks.

Bird · Nov 13, 2003

Maybe I've just been lucky, but I've never encountered an oil filter that I couldn't remove with the 3 jaw filter wrench that Junkman posted a link for. Of course I haven't had one come apart, as apparently happened here. And when I put a new filter on, I always lubricate the gasket with a little fresh oil spread with my finger, and then unlike Roy, I've never used a wrench to tighten one; just snug it as tight as I can with one hand and I've never had one leak. That's what's worked for me so far; may not always work for everyone.

JWE · Nov 13, 2003

I use a band type filter wrench that accepts a 3/8 inch socket extender (I have 3 sizes). I have removed many filters with the wrenchs but only once on my BX2200. It was on very tight and took a fair amount of torque to break it free. When I reinstall, I do the same as Bird, I tighten it by hand and I have never had one leak.

Picture attached.

John