M8540 Cab Air Filter

E/S

Member

Equipment
2009 M8540HDC 4x4 w/ Cab
Jan 6, 2010
251
1
16
Reno, NV
I need your input, my 1 year old tractor needs the cab air filters replaced. The original equipment filters plug-up fast, and cost $50- for the exterior one alone !
I checked NAPA for a replacement, not listed.
There has got to be a better way!
Any one got any ideas?

E/S
 

Bulldog

Well-known member

Equipment
M 9000 DTC, L 3000 DT
Mar 30, 2010
5,440
78
48
Rocky Face, Georgia
The cost of that filter is hard to handle but it's worth it on those 100 degree days. I have been looking for a cheaper replacement myself but no luck so far.
 

E/S

Member

Equipment
2009 M8540HDC 4x4 w/ Cab
Jan 6, 2010
251
1
16
Reno, NV
Agreed
A mechanic told me to compare dimensions to auto cab filters, but I am having trouble finding a list to compare to.

E/S
 

Bulldog

Well-known member

Equipment
M 9000 DTC, L 3000 DT
Mar 30, 2010
5,440
78
48
Rocky Face, Georgia
I have a buddy that works at a fleet filter and parts store and he said if I would bring him a filter they would measure it and see if they could find one that would work. If I have any luck I will let you know what the number is.

After my last trip to my dealer to et filters for my tractors I have been looking around for a better price on filters. My M9000 fuel filter has gone up to $25 and that's ridiculous. I can get donaldson filters thru Amsoil for about $11 and have them shipped to me. I don't like to use other filters besides Kubota brand since some of them don't have the correct micron rating. I guess I will cross that bridge when I come to it.
 

Sam427

New member

Equipment
L3410 GST, FEL, Bush Hog, Box Scrape, Spreader
Nov 6, 2009
194
5
0
Snellville, Ga. USA
I have a buddy that works at a fleet filter and parts store and he said if I would bring him a filter they would measure it and see if they could find one that would work. If I have any luck I will let you know what the number is.

After my last trip to my dealer to et filters for my tractors I have been looking around for a better price on filters. My M9000 fuel filter has gone up to $25 and that's ridiculous. I can get donaldson filters thru Amsoil for about $11 and have them shipped to me. I don't like to use other filters besides Kubota brand since some of them don't have the correct micron rating. I guess I will cross that bridge when I come to it.
You're too stubborn BD, them Wix and Napa Gold filters will do a fine job and save you a ton of money. Fleetfilter.com even has the cabin air filters, you may be able to go to the Wix site and find the correct part number, but they do list the size of each filter if you click on it.:D http://www.fleetfilter.com/filters/wix-cabin-air-filters.html
 

Sam427

New member

Equipment
L3410 GST, FEL, Bush Hog, Box Scrape, Spreader
Nov 6, 2009
194
5
0
Snellville, Ga. USA
I have a buddy that works at a fleet filter and parts store and he said if I would bring him a filter they would measure it and see if they could find one that would work. If I have any luck I will let you know what the number is.

After my last trip to my dealer to et filters for my tractors I have been looking around for a better price on filters. My M9000 fuel filter has gone up to $25 and that's ridiculous. I can get donaldson filters thru Amsoil for about $11 and have them shipped to me. I don't like to use other filters besides Kubota brand since some of them don't have the correct micron rating. I guess I will cross that bridge when I come to it.
BD, you are going to worry yourself to death over nothing with that micron rating. It sounds good when one filter is rated at 20 microns, and another is rated at 10 microns, in reality the 20 micron filter will not pass 20 micron particles shortly after being run. As the filter starts cleaning, it starts blocking the 20 micron holes almost immediately. 20 microns is 0.000787 ", most bearing clearances are .00125" per side or even larger, and the bearing is floating in a cushion of oil, so in theory the particle from a 20 micron filter would never make contact with a bearing surface, it will just get squirted out the side and pass through the filter again, likely being trapped. There is way more harm done to the engine during start up and when filters reach the end of their life than there is harm done from the difference between a 10 micron filter and a 20 micron filter. Filters have bypass valves which open up when the engine is first cranked and the oil is cold, as the oil cannot all pass through the filter because of it's thicker viscosity. As the filters become clogged the bypass can also open up because the oil cannot pass through the dirty filter. In fact a good bypass valve can be just as important as the filter itself.;)
 

E/S

Member

Equipment
2009 M8540HDC 4x4 w/ Cab
Jan 6, 2010
251
1
16
Reno, NV
WOW ! !
Thanks for all the help !

I guess I am not the only one having a hard time paying that much for a filter.

BD - Let me know what you find & I will do the same.

Vic - Thank for the heads up on washing it.

E/S
 

Bulldog

Well-known member

Equipment
M 9000 DTC, L 3000 DT
Mar 30, 2010
5,440
78
48
Rocky Face, Georgia
BD, you are going to worry yourself to death over nothing with that micron rating. It sounds good when one filter is rated at 20 microns, and another is rated at 10 microns, in reality the 20 micron filter will not pass 20 micron particles shortly after being run. As the filter starts cleaning, it starts blocking the 20 micron holes almost immediately. 20 microns is 0.000787 ", most bearing clearances are .00125" per side or even larger, and the bearing is floating in a cushion of oil, so in theory the particle from a 20 micron filter would never make contact with a bearing surface, it will just get squirted out the side and pass through the filter again, likely being trapped. There is way more harm done to the engine during start up and when filters reach the end of their life than there is harm done from the difference between a 10 micron filter and a 20 micron filter. Filters have bypass valves which open up when the engine is first cranked and the oil is cold, as the oil cannot all pass through the filter because of it's thicker viscosity. As the filters become clogged the bypass can also open up because the oil cannot pass through the dirty filter. In fact a good bypass valve can be just as important as the filter itself.;)
My troubles are over Sam. Amsoil carries a fuel filters for my big tractor so I don't have to worry any more. I even found a oil filter for it to. I agree with you about a filter stopping up. That's why I'm so glad to see that Amsoil had one for that tractor. They have more filter media so they perform better and are rated for 25,000 miles or one year. If I'm going to do my best to protect my engine with the best oil on the market I don't see any reason to not do the same with the oil filter. I only need one per year for each machine.

I have an example of smaller micron filters doing better. When I was on the road operating a trackhoe I was burning any where from 100 - 175 gallons of fuel a day. My transfer tank I fueled with had a filter and I had been given 2 different elements (that was all the parts store had) for it. 1was 10 mic. and the other was 15 mic. They both would last about the same amount of time on the truck but the difference was on the trackhoe. Using the 10 mic I could get 500 hrs on a fuel filter and could only get 250 when I used the 15 mic.
 

Sam427

New member

Equipment
L3410 GST, FEL, Bush Hog, Box Scrape, Spreader
Nov 6, 2009
194
5
0
Snellville, Ga. USA
My troubles are over Sam. Amsoil carries a fuel filters for my big tractor so I don't have to worry any more. I even found a oil filter for it to. I agree with you about a filter stopping up. That's why I'm so glad to see that Amsoil had one for that tractor. They have more filter media so they perform better and are rated for 25,000 miles or one year. If I'm going to do my best to protect my engine with the best oil on the market I don't see any reason to not do the same with the oil filter. I only need one per year for each machine.

I have an example of smaller micron filters doing better. When I was on the road operating a trackhoe I was burning any where from 100 - 175 gallons of fuel a day. My transfer tank I fueled with had a filter and I had been given 2 different elements (that was all the parts store had) for it. 1was 10 mic. and the other was 15 mic. They both would last about the same amount of time on the truck but the difference was on the trackhoe. Using the 10 mic I could get 500 hrs on a fuel filter and could only get 250 when I used the 15 mic.
Doesn't make any sense, if anything the 15 micron filter should last longer. The micron rating is the hole size in the media, smaller whole means less area for fuel to pass through. The 10 micron filter must have had more pleats, thus a larger area, so it would last longer before it packed up.

Bob's The Oil Guy tested a bunch of oil filters, pretty much every brand. They cut them open and measured the area of the media, type, etc. They also showed the type of bypass valve. It's pretty eye opening as to whom has the best filters overall.
 

Bulldog

Well-known member

Equipment
M 9000 DTC, L 3000 DT
Mar 30, 2010
5,440
78
48
Rocky Face, Georgia
I know that the add on fuel filter I have on my L 3000 does a great job. It's a 2 micron filter and it seem to last very well to. It has just about eliminated the need to change my factory fuel filter. I have only put 3 on it since I owned it and none of them were stopped up. I just changed them for the hell of it. Truth be known I may not ever need to change the factory filter.
 

Bulldog

Well-known member

Equipment
M 9000 DTC, L 3000 DT
Mar 30, 2010
5,440
78
48
Rocky Face, Georgia
It's hard to believe that a properly oil soaked air filter won't catch more dirt. I don't know about every brand but all the dirt bikes, 3 and 4 wheelers that I have owned and been around have foam filters that are oiled up and seem to protect those engines fine. I alway inspect the inside of my filters and have never seen any signs of dirt passing thru them. Look at the abuse one of those air filters goes thru compaired to filter bob's 500 mi on the road test. Does it seem right to you?
 

Sam427

New member

Equipment
L3410 GST, FEL, Bush Hog, Box Scrape, Spreader
Nov 6, 2009
194
5
0
Snellville, Ga. USA
It's hard to believe that a properly oil soaked air filter won't catch more dirt. I don't know about every brand but all the dirt bikes, 3 and 4 wheelers that I have owned and been around have foam filters that are oiled up and seem to protect those engines fine. I alway inspect the inside of my filters and have never seen any signs of dirt passing thru them. Look at the abuse one of those air filters goes thru compaired to filter bob's 500 mi on the road test. Does it seem right to you?
They will pass a little dirt. The reason they are used on dirt bikes and such is, they are subjected to water, and paper elements and water don't go well together at all.

I use a K&N on my truck, it does a good job as far as I can tell, but I have never put it to a test like that. Biggest thing is the cost savings, one filter for life. I have heard that it isn't wise to use them on diesels, they pass too much dirt.
 

Bulldog

Well-known member

Equipment
M 9000 DTC, L 3000 DT
Mar 30, 2010
5,440
78
48
Rocky Face, Georgia
I have been using a K&N in my F 150 for years with very good results. Agreed for sure about the water and paper filters. I just don't see how in a 500 mi test that there was that much dirt coming thru those oil soaked filters. It sounded like he did a very good controlled test but I don't see how it could be right. On my bikes and atv's the only place I have ever seen any signs of dust even trying to get around the filter was at the seal itself. But even then it was just a small trail that stopped before it reached the inner edge. I have never seen ant evidence of dirt passing thru the filter itself when it was properly oiled. I have always put the oil on mine using a plastic bag or a zip lock so it could really be worked in without making a huge mess.
 

Sam427

New member

Equipment
L3410 GST, FEL, Bush Hog, Box Scrape, Spreader
Nov 6, 2009
194
5
0
Snellville, Ga. USA
I have been using a K&N in my F 150 for years with very good results. Agreed for sure about the water and paper filters. I just don't see how in a 500 mi test that there was that much dirt coming thru those oil soaked filters. It sounded like he did a very good controlled test but I don't see how it could be right. On my bikes and atv's the only place I have ever seen any signs of dust even trying to get around the filter was at the seal itself. But even then it was just a small trail that stopped before it reached the inner edge. I have never seen ant evidence of dirt passing thru the filter itself when it was properly oiled. I have always put the oil on mine using a plastic bag or a zip lock so it could really be worked in without making a huge mess.
The diesels truck guys bash the K&N pretty hard on the diesel truck forums. I don't know, because I have never tried one on a diesel. I've got a Hemi.:D

That guy has always been really good with all the tests he has done and documented, I would say it is about as accurate as you would get. Most dust and dirt particles just pass right through the engine, only a percentage actually come in contact with anything.
 

Bulldog

Well-known member

Equipment
M 9000 DTC, L 3000 DT
Mar 30, 2010
5,440
78
48
Rocky Face, Georgia
Looks like if K&N filters weren't at least a up to factory specs they would have been out of business by now. I know several people who used them on diesels and never had any trouble. If they were letting to much dust thru them and doing engine damage someone would have already took them to court by now. I often wander if it's really a problem or if people are just bashing what they don't understand. Look at how most people talk trash about synthetic oils and lubes without truely checking it out. If it's different they think it can't possibly work and never even give it a chance.

My granddad had a john deere and my dad had a john deere so JD is the only tractor made. How many of us have heard that one before? If everybody just acted like sheep and didn't think for themselves then none of us would have ever tried a Kubota out because granddad never had a Kubota.
 

Sam427

New member

Equipment
L3410 GST, FEL, Bush Hog, Box Scrape, Spreader
Nov 6, 2009
194
5
0
Snellville, Ga. USA
Looks like if K&N filters weren't at least a up to factory specs they would have been out of business by now. I know several people who used them on diesels and never had any trouble. If they were letting to much dust thru them and doing engine damage someone would have already took them to court by now. I often wander if it's really a problem or if people are just bashing what they don't understand. Look at how most people talk trash about synthetic oils and lubes without truely checking it out. If it's different they think it can't possibly work and never even give it a chance.

My granddad had a john deere and my dad had a john deere so JD is the only tractor made. How many of us have heard that one before? If everybody just acted like sheep and didn't think for themselves then none of us would have ever tried a Kubota out because granddad never had a Kubota.
K&N has always been a "Performance" filter, as in more horsepower, they have never claimed to filter better to my knowledge. Their other big selling feature is that they are "Reusable". You would have a tough time winning a lawsuit against them for passing more dirt.

The point is this, the paper filter may catch more, but the K&N does a fine job, it's kinda the same point I was making about the fuel and oil filters.:D
 

Bulldog

Well-known member

Equipment
M 9000 DTC, L 3000 DT
Mar 30, 2010
5,440
78
48
Rocky Face, Georgia
I can't say I ever looked but unless K&N says their filters are for off road use only or a statement to that affect then they would at least have to meet OEM specs.