xcgreene
Platinum Member
So, the Kioti T4125-38021 HST filter, the higher pressure, thick shell, $100 one from the dealer was the only option. No cross references. But, in the past couple years a few options started popping up. A while back I noted in the cross reference thread of installing a $40 Donaldson 573481 instead of the T4125-38021, in my DK45se. As I could see, online, a few websites who were implying it would cross over. I had studied on its micron count, proper sizing, pressure ratings, and out of my own curiosity, I went for it.
Well, I've reached the next service for this filter. So having both the factory kioti T4125-38021 and the Donaldson 573481 to toss out, I cut them both open. Noting that this Donaldson filters micron count and ratings, which are found right on their website, were suitable for an axial piston pump, as the HST is, and rated for the pressures at hand, it's the physical attributes that we are really looking at here.
The Contenders:
bottoms, o-rings removed, note that both faces are aluminum, the shell is steel, they seem to both be pressed together. I could not unscrew them from each other as the pattern might imply.
Opened up:
You can see here, as similar as they are, there are slight differences in the cast. so not made in the exact same mold.
Shells are both 1.4mm in thickness.
Noting the extra pleats, with the media stretched all the way out, the kioti filter has about 30% more media.
However, the Donaldson has a wire mesh backing on its media. And each pleat glued at a fixed distance. With this, it would be more durable under higher pressures, and less prone to collapsing, or a foreign object damaging the media, and sending media pieces down the line.
The core of the Donaldson seems to be engineered for laminar flow at a higher flow rate compared the the basic holes of the kioti core.
My thoughts:
The Donaldson filter seems more ready for serious pressures spikes and abuse, this is also evident when crossing the Donaldson's number online with other equipment it's used in. But, given the lesser amount of total media, changing it on time would be a higher priority.
The Kioti filter seems to be built for lighter duty, (homeowner tractor duty, vs industrial skid steer duty). but has more total filter media allowing more leisurely planning of the filter change.
I also see that wix now offers a cross ref for this filter. WL10243 (or Napa 400243). Would like to cut that one open too.
Well, I've reached the next service for this filter. So having both the factory kioti T4125-38021 and the Donaldson 573481 to toss out, I cut them both open. Noting that this Donaldson filters micron count and ratings, which are found right on their website, were suitable for an axial piston pump, as the HST is, and rated for the pressures at hand, it's the physical attributes that we are really looking at here.
The Contenders:
bottoms, o-rings removed, note that both faces are aluminum, the shell is steel, they seem to both be pressed together. I could not unscrew them from each other as the pattern might imply.
Opened up:
You can see here, as similar as they are, there are slight differences in the cast. so not made in the exact same mold.
Shells are both 1.4mm in thickness.
Noting the extra pleats, with the media stretched all the way out, the kioti filter has about 30% more media.
However, the Donaldson has a wire mesh backing on its media. And each pleat glued at a fixed distance. With this, it would be more durable under higher pressures, and less prone to collapsing, or a foreign object damaging the media, and sending media pieces down the line.
The core of the Donaldson seems to be engineered for laminar flow at a higher flow rate compared the the basic holes of the kioti core.
My thoughts:
The Donaldson filter seems more ready for serious pressures spikes and abuse, this is also evident when crossing the Donaldson's number online with other equipment it's used in. But, given the lesser amount of total media, changing it on time would be a higher priority.
The Kioti filter seems to be built for lighter duty, (homeowner tractor duty, vs industrial skid steer duty). but has more total filter media allowing more leisurely planning of the filter change.
I also see that wix now offers a cross ref for this filter. WL10243 (or Napa 400243). Would like to cut that one open too.
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