Air Filter Cleaning?

[DustyRusty]

I have just read the Kubota manual, and it surprised me to recommend washing the air filter in detergent, and then rinsing it well, and set out to dry. I have never heard of this before, and was wondering how many people here have done this. The filter isn't a particularly expensive item to replace, depending on where you make your purchase.

 

[Rcflyer330]

I am with you its not that expensive for a new air filter so I just replace mine. Although I will use compressed air to clean out dirt and debris if needed. I also just replace my fuel filter even though kubota says you can clean it.

In my opnion you should always have a spare air and fuel filter on hand just in case you need it.

 

[ThomasH]

In the summer, if I replaced the air filter every time it needed to be cleaned, I’d be spending $100+ per week.

 

[mikester]

I use the air compressor and blow out the dust inside out on the external primary filter. I don't like washing them because they seem to take forever to dry.

My local dealer has a Kubota filter sale every April and its 10% off. I stock up every year in April. Thankfully K filters aren't as expensive as some (ie. NH).

 

[D2Cat]

DR, the owner's manuals back to 1980 (at least) had the paragraph about washing the air filter. I think they mentioned the number of times it could be rinsed.

 

[swpflipper]

Replace it. Air filters are cheap an engine is not. Diesels can be easily damaged with dirt.

 

[WhitleyStu]

JB Tools sells an air hose blow gun with several holes in the top of the attached tube. Just put the tube in the air filter and air will exit the holes in the tube and blow out and removing much of the debris in the filter folds. I blow out a filter several times before replacing the filter with a new one.

 

[GeoHorn]

I have washed mine. I do it at the END of the day and let it dry overnight. (I also repeatedly wear again socks my wife washes regardless of how cheap they are.)

If Kubota recommends washing it despite the fact they sell new filters.... then I believe it’s OK to wash them.

A more puzzling matter to me as regards air filters is the warning not to blow-out and re-use the secondary filter. If you pull it out they want it replaced.
It seems to me that pulling it out and sticking in a new one is no less hazardous than pulling out a used one and sticking it back in after it’s been blown-out with air. (I’ve never witnessed anything come out of a used secondary.... so I stuck it back in and that’s where it is now.... it’s mine so I get to decide.). YMMV

 

[mikester]

I agree with swpflipper. Filters are cheaper than engines. The secondary filter is your last line of defence to protect your engine. You would probably blow more dirt inside the secondary filter trying to clean it than get out trying to save a buck.

 

[Crash277]

never washed a tractor air filter, however when I was young and crazy I rode dirt bikes, used to wash the filters all the time and then oil them. A filter didn’t get replaced all summer unless it got damaged somehow.

I use compressed air on most of my filters, both by car and truck as well in between the service interval

 

[Donystoy]

In the summer, if I replaced the air filter every time it needed to be cleaned, I’d be spending $100+ per week.

Totally agree! In 35 years and 2300 hours I am still on my second filter. I blow it out with an air hose frequently especially if cutting ripe dandelions or using tractor in dusty areas. Sometimes multiple times in one day. Air filters are not cheap for my tractor. I replace when the element gets torn.

 

[kubotafreak]

Ill start this by saying Ive myself blown filters out before in the past. They have found that blowing filters out actually clog the pores more with compacted dirt. It also blows holes in the finer spots. So in theory your creating larger pores, and at the same time condensing dirt into more condensed clumps. You have to imagine the filter is thicker than just the thin pleats when your comparing to the find dust particles. The dust gets trapped at different points in the thickness of the filter on a microscopic level. Yes blowing them out removes dirt, no body doubts that. It is the damage caused by doing so, increased porosity and decreased filter efficiency. Soaking them in detergent seems bad, but it loosens the dirt in a way the dirt that will move will flow out with water. Its a pretty interesting science, but if you do some research in the larger equipment operating costs it will defy older convention. Basically a filter can undergo 20 washings and have 80% filter capacity vs 3 blown air cleanings for even less filtering ability.

Un doubt ably you will want one on the shelf to exchange out between drying times if you so choose to go this route.

 

[D2Cat]

Ill start this by saying Ive myself blown filters out before in the past. They have found that blowing filters out actually clog the pores more with compacted dirt. It also blows holes in the finer spots. So in theory your creating larger pores, and at the same time condensing dirt into more condensed clumps. You have to imagine the filter is thicker than just the thin pleats when your comparing to the find dust particles. The dust gets trapped at different points in the thickness of the filter on a microscopic level. Yes blowing them out removes dirt, no body doubts that. It is the damage caused by doing so, increased porosity and decreased filter efficiency. Soaking them in detergent seems bad, but it loosens the dirt in a way the dirt that will move will flow out with water. Its a pretty interesting science, but if you do some research in the larger equipment operating costs it will defy older convention. Basically a filter can undergo 20 washings and have 80% filter loss capacity vs 3 blown air cleanings for even less filtering ability.

Un doubt ably you will want one on the shelf to exchange out between drying times if you so choose to go this route.

As I read this all I could think about was a doctor named Fauci. Guess we've just heard too much about "filters" lately!

I think the studies may be revelant, but it's always interesting to know who funded such studies. If the dust getting through filters by blowing the filter (inside out) causes such damage, one would think there would be reports of "dusted" engines and folks would heed the warnings. However, even as mentioned tools are sold to help the process.

 

[B2710]

OM states you can, so I have been washing them for years, usually do once per filter but never had one fail or even look bad after washing. I use a 5gal bucket with dawn in warm water and another to rinse. I do not blow them out before washing, let the water flush the dirt out.

 

[kubotafreak]

As I read this all I could think about was a doctor named Fauci. Guess we've just heard too much about "filters" lately!

I think the studies may be revelant, but it's always interesting to know who funded such studies. If the dust getting through filters by blowing the filter (inside out) causes such damage, one would think there would be reports of "dusted" engines and folks would heed the warnings. However, even as mentioned tools are sold to help the process.

Interesting perspective, Ive had my fill of his opinions. At least here your free to make the choice on which means to proceed. I doubt you will see much data on the end of machine outcome due to the constraints of life cycle testing. Isolating it to filtering ability would be much easier to prove. Just wipe your finger on the inside of any ones blown out filter regimen. I hope for your sake there is no fine dust of any sort.

 

[Rcflyer330]

The OM on my 2650 also stated the primary air filter can be cleaned with compressed air as long as it is 30psi or less.

 

[DustyRusty]

I purchased a new Kubota filter on eBay, and I can't believe how long it is taking to get here. It cost $10.61 ($9.99 + .62 tax), and the estimated delivery was 4 days, or on the 13th of March... Below is the tracking record, and the new delivery date is 03/16/2021, but I don't think that I will see it until Memorial Day!

1. Mar 10, 2021
   5:46pm
   SHIPMENT RECEIVED ACCEPTANCE PENDING
   FREEHOLD, NJ 07728
2. Mar 10, 2021
   2:53pm
   PRE-SHIPMENT INFO SENT USPS AWAITS ITEM
   MARLBORO, NJ 07746
3. Mar 10, 2021
   2:25pm
   SHIPPING LBL CREATED USPS AWAITS ITEM
   MARLBORO, NJ 07746
4. Mar 10, 2021
   6:25am

 

[timhodge]

I always just bang mine out on the ground and put it back. 2000 hrs and no problems yet. FWIW

 

[nbryan]

I got a second primary air filter and a second fuel filter for my B2650, then at service times I have a clean dry air filter to swap in and then wash and rinse and dry the first air filter for next time. I also often check the primary and blow it out too, but it does get a little blackened eventually so gets washed.

The fuel filter can be rinsed in clear kerosene so the second one I got goes in and the first is rinsed and ready for next maintenance.

 

[whitetiger]

Fleetguards release on air filters.