Whats this for?

CTyler · Sep 30, 2003

This probably pretty simple but has me puzzled. The air filter housing on my L3130 a little rubber thing on it. What is that for? It looks like it probably closes like a check valve when the rubber squeezes together when there is suction. At the other end of the filter housing there is a 1 1/2" hole for the air intake.

I haven't really looked at it to see if there is a hose etc.. attached to it inside for vent for something.

JerryG · Sep 30, 2003

It is a dust valve. If you squeeze it together, the dust is supposed to come out. Tractors have had it for ever, but as far as I am concerned it doesn't work very well. Maybe, I work in to much dust. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Bird · Sep 30, 2003

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( as far as I am concerned it doesn't work very well )</font>

Maybe there's something you and I don't know, Jerry, but I agree with you; they could just do away with that dust valve as far as I'm concerned. If there's enough dust in there for it to fall out of that, I'll be opening it up to clean it anyway.

mountain_man · Sep 30, 2003

I was curious about it too when I first got my tractor. Here's the text & pix from the JD Manual:

Clean Air Filter Rubber Dust Unloading Valve
IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Prevent damage to the engine. Never operate engine without air cleaner elements and rubber dust unloading valve installed.

NOTE: Rubber dust unloading valve is self-cleaning. Check rubber dust unloading valve every 10 hours of operation or on a daily basis for particles too large to pass through bottom slot of valve.

1. Stop engine and engage park brake.

2. Raise hood and latch open.

3. Squeeze wide edges of unloading valve (A) to open bottom slot and allow particles to drop out. Replace if damaged.