Hydraulic System Filter Question - 20 micron or 30 micron?

[mslisaj]

The other day I stopped into my LS Dealer and picked up the HST and Hydraulic System filters. He looked up the numbers and walked back to his shelves and pulled the HST filter in a LS Box with an LS marked filter inside. Then he walked over to a fresh UPS delivery of LS parts in a big LS box and pulls the Hydraulic System filter. To my surprise the Hydraulic System filter was a Zinga USA Brand number AE-25. But it was factory wrapped with cellophane and a LS sticker with an LS number on it. Okay I purchased the "Factory" filters and my warranty is good but I'm thinking crossing at least the Zinga number to a WIX. The Zinga specs has a max burst pressure of 250 pounds with a 25 micron rating of cellulose material. WIX offers a 30 micron with a 350 psi burst and GPH between both filters is the same. Now WIX also offers a 20 micron with the same spec's but has an "enhanced cellulose" filter media. So which filter would you use or recommend in the future? Zinga 25 micron or WIX 30 micron or WIX 20 micron enhanced clelulose? Seems to me that the 20 micron would be the better filter but I'm asking that question.

Thanks for your thoughts gentlemen.

Lisa

 

[LouNY]

I would prefer the 20 micron myself, however as they are likely suction filters you have to watch for suction line air leakage and cavitation especially when cool or cold.

 

[mslisaj]

I would prefer the 20 micron myself, however as they are likely suction filters you have to watch for suction line air leakage and cavitation especially when cool or cold.

The "factory" filter is a 25 micron and I thought the 20 would be an improvement. Interesting thought on system "air leakage" or starvation when cool.

Thank you for your response.

 

[jaydee325]

The "factory" filter is a 25 micron and I thought the 20 would be an improvement. Interesting thought on system "air leakage" or starvation when cool.

Thank you for your response.

If the filter is on the pressure side of the system and used in a bypass circuit, then I'd agree a 20 micron would be better than a 25. On the inlet side of the circuit, I'd stick with the factory recommended filter.

The pressure at the inlet of a hydraulic pump is from the pressure at the surface of the fluid in the reservoir (in our cases, atmospheric pressure). Plus the head (or weight) of the height of the fluid in the reservoir, subtracting any restriction in the flow (filter). Going from a 25 micron to a 20 increases the restriction to flow from the reservoir to the pump inlet. Because the "holes" are smaller in the 20 micron filter, the differential pressure will raise faster as the filter does it's job and becomes fouled.

Will most users see an issue? Maybe not. But for me the choice is easy, go with what the factory specifies (based on testing) and not worry about your choice.:twocents:

 

[mslisaj]

That makes a lot of sense. Everyone has a favorite brand filter and some will fight to the death over their particular brand. WIX is considered a premium filter and not necessarily my favorite brand but I never heard of Zinga. So Zinga was supplied as the factory replacement with their part number on it. Well like all of us I want to improve and protect my equipment. So I just crossed that Zinga brand to a WIX. But there was not an exact cross. The choice was 20 micron or 30 micron - the factory filter is a 25 micron so I asked this question. But there is more to consider obviously. For the hours that get put on these filters the cost is not the issue. I'm just looking for the best filter I can buy and if Zinga is that answer count me in. So I agree with your last statement "go with what the factory specifies and not worry about the choice".

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

The Zinga filter was what was on my MT from the factory, and when I ordered the "LS" part number from the dealer, it was again a Zinga. As stated previously, for the cost, just stick w/ the factory filters. Google
"Messick's kubota oil filter comparison", may be on YouTube, was an eye opener for me.

 

[mslisaj]

I did go to YouTube and searched that title and sure enough there was an "eye opening" video. Great comparison of the "top brand" filter with the factory filter. Kind'a answers all the questions and especially with the warranty people. Thanks "LS mt125 owner" for the information.