How often do you change your air filter?

[Bearcatrp]

Have been blowing mine out after every use. On my 3rd year. Is this a bad idea to go this long without a new one?

 

[Workerbee]

As long as you’re not damaging the filter and its not showing wear, I’d say its fine. Thats if you are talking about an outer air filter.

 

[old and tired]

How many hours in the 3 years? How dusty has it been? If you are only cutting grass, that will be different than working in dirt all day...

 

[Old Machinist]

If it doesn't come clean from blowing out I replace it. I have a Works blower with fairly low volume and a small curved outlet that fits down inside both filters. I will run it inside and move it up and down and around till I don't see anything else coming out then blow the outside at and angle. I will hold it up to light and see how much light comes through before putting them back in. As long as it passes near the same light as new I see no reason to spend the money.

I bought my tractor with 200 hours on. The outer filter was new looking and the inner was dirty. I don't think I've ever seen an inner filter get dirty looking but I replaced it. In the 70 hours I've run it both filters will blow out and look new again.

 

[Bearcatrp]

At 170 hours now. Am in a sandy conditions so it does get very dusty cutting grass in some places. There is no damage to it. Its the outer air filter. Wasn't sure if dry rot as these dry out over time. Maybe I will pick one up since its been 3 years.

 

[Bee-Positive]

BX1880 only comes with one filter, usually blow it out after every mowing, so at least once per week.
300+ hours in 3 years and just replaced it. Not sandy or dusty here or I'd probably replace it more often.
Big K recommends every 1,000 hours or 1 year whichever comes first. It's not that much for a filter so I think 1,000 hours is too many and every year is too often in my case. YMMV

 

[Hoserman]

Every other mowing I will blow it out with compressed air. So far it looks good.

 

[Mowbizz]

lol… never even looked at mine til last year. It’s a 2013ish BX25D with over 1000 hours by now. Filler looked good but I blew it out anyway.
Original battery too!

 

[Sawdust&Shavings]

Have been blowing mine out after every use. On my 3rd year. Is this a bad idea to go this long without a new one?

Annually

 

[McMXi]

Have been blowing mine out after every use. On my 3rd year. Is this a bad idea to go this long without a new one?

I've had the MX for 3-1/2 years and the M for 3 years and both have the original air filters, inner and outer. I blow out the primary air filter regularly though, but the owner's manuals state "clean primary element every 100 hours, replace primary and secondary elements every 1,000 hours or 1 year".

If the secondary (inner) element looks pristine then it's likely that the primary element is doing its job. However, given that the primary and secondary air filters are $50 for the pair for the M6060, and less than $60 for the pair for the MX (oddly more expensive than the M) it might make sense to change them every 2 years.

 

[Hoserman]

In my opinion the air filter is very important to keep clean, but to me what's more important is a clean radiator. You impede air flow over the engine it will overheat and cause you a boatload of trouble. That item I blow out and rinse after each mowing. But that's just me.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I am at around the 4 year mark I think. I just checked mine the other day, and I noticed that it was kind of dirty, but it was a "black soot" not dirt or grass or anything like that. (200'ish hours)

I am suspecting that it is because, on the 2501, the "intake hole" is located directly above the exhaust pipe.

I just lightly blew it off , but this thread reminded me that I need to order one, just for "kicks and giggles" I guess.

 

[McMXi]

I am suspecting that it is because, on the 2501, the "intake hole" is located directly above the exhaust pipe.

An early form of EGR I suppose.