BX Filter Changes + 'Warning' and tips for New Owners

OrangeLivin

New member
Sep 9, 2015
75
2
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Eastern
So I got the OEM 'filter kit' from a dealer on Ebay (only $62 incl. shipping, thought that was reasonable..) and figured while I had the MMM off from the winter, might as well get them all changed before spring mowing season.

First up, air filter. Couldn't be easier. No advice.

Second up, oil change. I mean, simple as could be. No real tips here, other than making sure you write the date and hours on the oil filter so you always have an easy reference by just looking at the tractor. Beats having to go back to the book every time.

Third, engine fuel filter. Pinch off both sides of the line with vise grips (what I used), relocate spring clips, notice that the fuel lines won't budge off of the filter hah. Grab the filter with a non-slip glove, give it gentle twist and it should 'pop' the filter loose within the lines. Gently rock it out, you'll lose a little fuel (keep a catch pan/thick towel on the floor/axle), but it's not too bad. Just have the other filter close by for a quick swap, done.

Fourth, back fuel filter. Ok I gotta say, this one sucks. You can get to it without jacking up the tractor, just slide under from the drivers side, but it's RIGHT THERE kind of above your head. Arms up above your head, unscrewing, clamping, twisting. It's not the worst thing I've done, but it's a pain. The toughest part I had was clamping off the line that comes from the fuel tank. And my WARNING is double and triple check that you clamp that line off completely!! There's nearly ZERO room to get a clamp in there. I have a set of mini vise grips that I thought were clamped tight...clamped the other side, moved the springs clips, twisted the filter to loosen it, rocked out the tank side and was met with a huge stream of diesel fuel flying out unchecked! :eek: An OSHI moment for sure, so I stop the flow with one thumb, fuel is coming back out thru the filter, so I plug that with the other hand.

Lol so here I am, under the tractor, both hands and shirt full of diesel fuel, holding back several gallons of fuel with my thumbs :eek: What the heck do I do now?? Luckily I had my mini catch pan near my right knee, so I slide that up and that pushes a rag I had nearby close enough that I let go of the filter (figured less fuel in there), quickly throw the rag in the pan, move the pan under the filters, grab the new filter and shove it into the free-flowing tank side line.

Crisis solved, but man... diesel fuel everywhere.

CLAMP THAT LINE and KEEP A CATCH PAN and RAGS CLOSE if you're doing the rear filter! :D

Go Orange!
 

85Hokie

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BX-25D ,PTB. Under Armor, '90&'92-B7100HST's, '06 BX1850 FEL
Jul 13, 2013
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you aint the first one to cuss that rear filter ....I will be there soon again - might find me a "cheap" pair of vise grips and grid the nose down to get it that area....

I love the smell of diesel;) .......but once it is on you, you smell good for a while! And being soaked in it really make you ....not love the smell!:D
 

Ramos

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Equipment
1870-1, LA203A, RCK54
Feb 25, 2016
463
3
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Sherman County, Oregon
At less than 20 hours total-time, I have not had to go 'there', yet. I do have a couple of question, though.

1. Would it be possible to move the rear fuel filter downstream 2-3" and add a manual fuel shut off between this filter and the tank? Seems it would be worthwhile if space allows.

2. Is there much access to be gained by removing the left rear tire for FF changes?

FWIW, my BX is an 1870-1.
 

85Hokie

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BX-25D ,PTB. Under Armor, '90&'92-B7100HST's, '06 BX1850 FEL
Jul 13, 2013
10,745
2,551
113
Bedford - VA
At less than 20 hours total-time, I have not had to go 'there', yet. I do have a couple of question, though.

1. Would it be possible to move the rear fuel filter downstream 2-3" and add a manual fuel shut off between this filter and the tank? Seems it would be worthwhile if space allows.

2. Is there much access to be gained by removing the left rear tire for FF changes?

FWIW, my BX is an 1870-1.
It has been done several times here .....

check out paul short on Youtube.....there is a video it
 

Ramos

New member

Equipment
1870-1, LA203A, RCK54
Feb 25, 2016
463
3
0
Sherman County, Oregon

cerlawson

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rotiller, box scraper,etc.
Feb 24, 2011
1,067
5
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PORTAGE, WI
If you are fussy the Briggs fuel shut off valve is not the exact size of the hoses. However, clamping tight it works. I'd never mess with vice grips on rubber hoses, but being careful works I guess.

All new or contemplating purchasers of the BX should read the original post. You might check out some of the other undesirable features of the machine. I particularly hate the three point control.

I always plan on removing both rear wheels and going through a lot of grief for each of these fuel filter changes. Set aside maybe a morning so you can feel you accomplished something when it takes less time. Never try it with a belly mower in place. Why such dinky little filters anyhow? On other tractors I have had it NEVER was necessary to change fuel filers.
 

mrmr56

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G4200, Z482, 3 G5200's
Jul 22, 2015
48
0
0
Waco, TX
I generally take the fuel line off of the injection pump and stick it into my diesel fuel can, turn on the key, and let the pump run until all the fuel is removed from the tank. After changing the filters, refill the fuel tank, and let the pump refill all of the lines to the injection pump, bleed the injection pump and you are ready to go with minimal spillage of fuel. My wife makes me throw away clothes that I get a bunch of diesel on so I try to not get any on me. Works for me.
 

OrangeLivin

New member
Sep 9, 2015
75
2
0
Eastern
Thanks for all the replies guys, glad this turned out to actually be a useful thread for people! :D

I only had to change that rear fuel filter once to know that I don't want to soak myself in diesel again, so I'll definitely be working on a shutoff valve for it. Heck, might as well put one up front too so I'm not pinching off the lines every time.

And yeah pinching off the hoses with vise grips is hard on them, but they're still pliable and relatively new, and its what I had always done with my old Cub lawn tractor when changing out the front fuel filter in that.

Shut off valves are definitely the way to go!

Does anyone have a quick pic of where they put the shutoff for the rear filter? No freakin room back there!
 

SLIMSHADIE

Member

Equipment
Kubota BX25D
Apr 10, 2013
445
1
16
Eureka,IL
I cut the hose and installed the shutoff then used some of the left over hose for a connection to the fuel filter

image.jpg
 

SDMauler

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Equipment
2009 BX2360TV60, RCK60B-23BX
Aug 8, 2014
82
0
0
Parker, SD
I have a pair of vice-grips that are needle nose with parallel jaws, and with an old piece of fuel hose over each jaw, they work great for pinching off fuel lines. No damage to the fuel hose, either. The next time my tank gets near empty though, I think I will install the valve to make it easier, and add another way to make sure the tractor stays where I leave it, and no one gets the itch to take it for an unauthorized spin, especially my non-mechanically-inclined spouse. Thanks for he idea!
 

D2Cat

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L305DT, B7100HST, TG1860, TG1860D, L4240
Mar 27, 2014
13,810
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40 miles south of Kansas City
SD, if you're going to install the shut off valve to prevent movement you better get in the habit of running the engine dry. Or else she'll get it going and be in the middle of no-where/or the middle of the road when the fuel runs out!

It'd be easier to prevent movement by putting a switch in circuit to leave a safety switch open. Then it just won't start until that switch (only you know about) is closed.
 

lugbolt

Well-known member

Equipment
ZG127S-54
Oct 15, 2015
5,203
1,889
113
Mid, South, USA
On the BX23/24/25, put the loader down, lift the front end, then use the hoe's outriggers to lift the butt end of the tractor, go as far up as you can. Jackstands are mandatory. Then it's at least a little easier to get under it for service of the primary fuel filter.

Shutoff valve ain't a bad idea, and I've seen a few of them. Only problem is that sometimes the owner will forget to turn it on. And sometimes debris will kick the valve off or partially off, then I get a call. Especially after I've serviced it, no matter what I did to it.

Matco and others make a set of pinch off pliers specifically for this stuff. Mine are plastic and really flexible, so they don't break, and they're soft enough to not damage the fuel lines. Probably find them on ebay for $10 if you look. When I bought mine, it was a 4 piece set, from tiny to big enough to pinch off a radiator hose. I use them often and never thought I would use them enough to justify buying 'em. Ones I got were HPP-something, I don't remember the whole number, just the HPP part. Green plastic, quite durable. They also have them in a 90° set, which I didn't get because I've not found an application where I'd use them any more than I'd use the regular straight ones. I may pick up a small pair of 90's to try on the BX filters.

Biggest thing I don't like about doing them is having to remove the mower to gain access to them. Aside from that, no big deal.
 

SDMauler

New member

Equipment
2009 BX2360TV60, RCK60B-23BX
Aug 8, 2014
82
0
0
Parker, SD
SD, if you're going to install the shut off valve to prevent movement you better get in the habit of running the engine dry. Or else she'll get it going and be in the middle of no-where/or the middle of the road when the fuel runs out!

It'd be easier to prevent movement by putting a switch in circuit to leave a safety switch open. Then it just won't start until that switch (only you know about) is closed.
And it would serve her right! Maybe I will just hide the keys instead. I'm still going to install the valve though.
 

Toneloc

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2013 - BX25D
Apr 7, 2016
56
4
0
Northwest PA
I was curious how often you guys change the fuel filters?

Manual says to inspect them at 200 hrs.....how the heck does one do that? I realize they are semi-transparent plastic, but think it'd be pretty tough to see from that.
 

DustyRusty

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Equipment
2020 BX23S, BX2822 Snowblower, Curtis Deluxe Cab,
Nov 8, 2015
6,237
4,814
113
North East CT
I'm coming to this party quite late, however, I just wanted to give my experience. My BX22 is approaching 700 hours, and I have replaced neither of my fuel filters. I use Power Service in my fuel, and I never empty the container to the bottom. Most times, water and other debris will remain on the bottom of the can, and by being careful when you fuel the tractor from a fuel can, you can keep all of that out of your tractors fuel tank. For me, cleanliness is the most important part of maintenance, be it a tractor, truck, or auto.