Oil & Fuel Adding a Spin on Racor filter to a BX25

CHDinCT · Mar 4, 2014

Scooby, one more follow up question. Does that Racor filter have a fuel shut off? If not, how do you shut off the fuel flow in order to change the filter? Thanks again.

Scooby074 · Mar 4, 2014

No the Racor does not come with a shutoff.

To change the filter I use some small hose pinchers available at any autoparts store or even a harbour freight.Cheap

Of course you could add an inline 1/4" brass valve before the filter. However considering the service interval of the filter, its overkill IMHO. The racor has a large drain in the bottom of the bowl, so you can dump any debris into a bucket without disassembling the filter assembly which would require turning off the fuel.

In my opinion the Racor option is superior to the "factory" Kubota one like 4shorts and others have put on lately. The Racor has built in drains, and more importantly I believe the Racor filter material is superior and the filter has more filter area than the Kubota ones (albeit Racor is OEM for some model Kubota filters). That said, anything is better than the crap filter that comes stock on a BX.

like2wheel · Mar 5, 2014

Scooby074 said:
Just apply some red loctite to the bolts when reinstalling them.

I'd recommend blue Loctite if you ever want to remove them without using torches near that fuel filter.

Scooby074 · Mar 5, 2014

it should be a permanent install. Red loctite will be fine.

Plus, if absolutely necessary, the filter can be removed with out undoing the bracket. And red loctite does not always need a torch to be removed

kuboman · Mar 5, 2014

Scooby074 said:
No the Racor does not come with a shutoff.

In my opinion the Racor option is superior to the "factory" Kubota one like 4shorts and others have put on lately. The Racor has built in drains, and more importantly I believe the Racor filter material is superior and the filter has more filter area than the Kubota ones (albeit Racor is OEM for some model Kubota filters). That said, anything is better than the crap filter that comes stock on a BX.

What number is on your filter. The racor's go down to 2 micron while the standard Kubota filter is 30 micron. No comparison to the quality of filter. Kubota filters are slightly better than a screen.

Scooby074 · Mar 5, 2014

kuboman said:
What number is on your filter. The racor's go down to 2 micron while the standard Kubota filter is 30 micron. No comparison to the quality of filter. Kubota filters are slightly better than a screen.

Its a Racor 120A (S) , 2 Micron.

robertm · Mar 5, 2014

Scooby,
Could you please post model numbers for the filter body and the 2 micron filter?
I plan on doing this as soon as the weather breaks, installing it in the same location, and running the filter in-line before the lift pump. I can't see going through the trouble and not saving the lift pump from potential damage.
Thanks!

Scooby074 · Mar 5, 2014

Robert,

The filter housing/element Assembly model number is a 120aS. The "S" means its a 2 micron. Amazon.com: FUEL FILTER WATER SEPARATOR [Misc.]: Sports & Outdoors

The filter itself is a R12S.

Here's Parkers catalog sheet for the unit. It also has install tips, accessories and a parts breakdown. http://www.parker.com/literature/Racor/10219_Rev_B_120A_and_120B_Series.pdf

Buckgnarly · Mar 5, 2014

Here's a link to the one I bough from Ebay, best price I could find and it came complete, brnad new, with manual and 10 micron filter.

R12T Parker Racor Fuel Filter 120AT | eBay

I will be adding one to my Kioti as soon as we have non Arctic weather! Thanks Scooby for the idea and the motivation to do this!

I think you may have convinced me to not go with a shutoff valve, as it is only one more place for air to get in. I'm going to clamp the lines the relatively few times I will have to change the filter.

4shorts · Mar 5, 2014

Why do you think Kubota put a filter before the fuel pump inlet? To protect the pump

To go though all that trouble and install an external filter and not want to protect the fuel pump (it's heart) is ridiculous in my opinion.

When that pump poops out, the guys who didn't protect will want to after they dish out the bucks to replace it. Do it right the first time.
Guys protect your fuel pumps!
Just say'in :dance1:

Scooby074 · Mar 5, 2014

4shorts said:
Why do you think Kubota put a filter before the fuel pump inlet? To protect the pump
To go though all that trouble and install an external filter and not want to protect the fuel pump (it's heart) is ridiculous in my opinion.

When that pump poops out, the guys who didn't protect will want to after they dish out the bucks to replace it. Do it right the first time.
Guys protect your fuel pumps!
Just say'in :dance1:

Who's this directed to?

I recommended installing the filter before the lift pump. Its Racor's recommended location as well.

Buckgnarly · Mar 5, 2014

Scooby074 said:
Who's this directed to?

I recommended installing the filter before the lift pump. Its Racor's recommended location as well.

I think he is referring to another post recently.....I too was planning on putting mine before the pump, not sure why you would not.

Scooby074 · Mar 5, 2014

Buckgnarly said:
I think he is referring to another post recently.....I too was planning on putting mine before the pump, not sure why you would not.

The only reason somebody wouldnt would be to make install easier and maybe slightly cheaper, albeit installing the filter in my location doesnt add hardly any work or cost to the job in the big scheme of things.

The lift pump isnt an overly precise (or expensive) device so debris isnt that huge a concern of mine, there is however a greater risk of water emulsion caused by having the filter after the pump which IS an important concern of mine. Adding lift pump protection is a secondary benefit.

dodge man · Mar 5, 2014

Yes, I installed mine after the lift pump. I also don't think its a very delicate lift pump and a lot of pickup trucks install the lift pump in the tank so its before the filter. Its that way on my Cummins. I agree, the cost difference is minimal. I installed mine after the lift pump because the thought of all the hose running back and forth bothered me. It seemed redundant but as someone pointed out in my other post its only about 6 feet of fuel line. I'm kind of stubborn and will probably leave mine the way it is unless I burn out a lift pump in the next few weeks. I still think I was plugging up my original Kubota filters because of very fine dirt and debris but was never sure.

4shorts · Mar 5, 2014

Scooby074 said:
Who's this directed to?

I recommended installing the filter before the lift pump. Its Racor's recommended location as well.

It's directed to those who put the filter after the pump.

4shorts · Mar 5, 2014

dodge man said:
Yes, I installed mine after the lift pump. I also don't think its a very delicate lift pump and a lot of pickup trucks install the lift pump in the tank so its before the filter. Its that way on my Cummins. I agree, the cost difference is minimal. I installed mine after the lift pump because the thought of all the hose running back and forth bothered me. It seemed redundant but as someone pointed out in my other post its only about 6 feet of fuel line. I'm kind of stubborn and will probably leave mine the way it is unless I burn out a lift pump in the next few weeks. I still think I was plugging up my original Kubota filters because of very fine dirt and debris but was never sure.

Every fuel pump I've ever pulled out of a vehicle had at least a fuel pump strainer before the pump. The added hose I used to run from the tank to the fuel filter added up to about 2.5 feet and my cost on that would be around $2.00. The photo I attached is the crap that came out of the filter on my BX at 70 hours. Imagine that stuff going through your pump.
I bet you won't replace your pump for $2.00 Then there's the down time on your tractor because of it. They usually don't brake down in the shop either

dodge man · Mar 5, 2014

Want kind of pump do they have and is it vunerable to debris? I don't know the answer to that question, I'm just asking. You guys keep this up I may be adding some more fuel line to mine to make it before the pump. I cut my filters open a couple of times and didn't get anywhere near that amount out of mine. I wonder what all that stuff is? I've wondered if mine isn't a problem with the sending unit starting to rust.

Also am I missing something with how I should install this? Don't you need to run a new piece of fuel line from before the lift pump and then a second piece back to the pump? Seems like the measuring I did it would take at least 6 feet of new hose.

varmint · Mar 5, 2014

I've been watching this, because the filter makes a lot of sense to me. My old B8200 has a pretty good filter, with a shut off cock, but if I get a new tractor, I would want a good filter. This Goldenrod filter seems good for the money? Comments? No shut off and not that small may be an issue. The Racor's don't have shut offs, either. Maybe Paul Shorts solution is best.

Goldenrod Waterblock Fuel Filter with 3 4in Fittings | eBay

dodge man · Mar 5, 2014

The filtration is a little weak, its a 15 micron filter, its more for the water than a filter. I was after more of a filter and less worried about water, I think the Racor takes care of both. It would be real easy to add a valve to any install.

Scooby074 · Mar 5, 2014

dodge man said:
Want kind of pump do they have and is it vunerable to debris? I don't know the answer to that question, I'm just asking. You guys keep this up I may be adding some more fuel line to mine to make it before the pump. I cut my filters open a couple of times and didn't get anywhere near that amount out of mine. I wonder what all that stuff is? I've wondered if mine isn't a problem with the sending unit starting to rust.

Also am I missing something with how I should install this? Don't you need to run a new piece of fuel line from before the lift pump and then a second piece back to the pump? Seems like the measuring I did it would take at least 6 feet of new hose.

The pump is a little diaphragm unit.

Is it particularly vulnerable? IMHO no, certainly not compared to a precision machined pump like an injector pump. That said, installing the filter prior to the lift pump not only provides protection to the pump it is Racors recommended place to prevent water/fuel emulsion.

The pump is about $137 from Messicks. Kubota Fuel Pump Assembly Part #RC601-51350