Filters and fluids, name brand or generic?

[Rob REECE]

I'm going to be doing the 800 hour service on my Kubota B2320. This will be my first time doing major service myself instead of having the dealer do it.

While researching online for filters and fluids I'm finding some on ebay are about half the price of what Messicks offers. It's about a $75 difference. Is it worth the risk to use a cheap filter or should I stick with a name brand?

I have a JD and I will I always use JD oil and oil filters. It is more expensive than generic but I spent a lot of money on the tractor and I won’t take any chances on using cheap oil.

 

[MJZ]

Yes to Baldwin or Donaldson filters- from a reputable source (I think you'll find a lot of dealers use these). No to eBay or Amazon, too many fakes. For engine oil, use a name brand - I would stick with Kubota UDT for hydraulics though. IMHO

Source of purchase is imperative. Some sources show a brand name but it's counterfeit. So, not just reputable brand but use a reputable source.

 

[DarkBlack]

Kinda surprised no one has said not to use Fram filters, I have been using Fram filters on lots of stuff for many years and they never caused any problems that I’m aware of.

Years ago they had some issues, and got the nickname “orange cans of death”. I’ve run them here and there through the years. Purolator had media tearing issues with their previously highly regarded pure one filters, and got renamed Tearolator instead of Purolator. Now Mann+Hummel owns Purolator , who makes Bosh filters, which just had a recent spate of Bosh filters produced with the core louvers not open, restricting flow.
They all have their bad production runs here and there.
Again, buy a decent quality filter, change it and your oil on time, and make sure you have a very good air filter
Gazillions of miles driven on Walmart Supertech oil filters..

 

[Sid Post]

Plenty of documented engines with no filtration system at all, such as Honda Gx Engines lasting more hours than filtration system engines.
So … obsess away at your justifications for buying expensive filters.
Just pointing out, the maybe, not so obvious..

A Honda Gx ~20hp gasoline engine and a Kubota or ... Diesel engine has some meaningful differences in oil and filtration needs!