1/2 Full/Fuel Filter

[Stmar]

Why does the manual say to change the fuel filter when the fuel tank is below 1/2? Just trying to gain a bit more knowledge and I could not find any explanation. Also, I bought a new filter so instead of cleaning the old one I think I will put the new one in and clean the old one for a spare. The guy that delivered my machine said it was a good idea to have a spare in case the fuel gelled, he said it was a bear fixing that problem, so easier swapping filters and thawing out the gelled one without losing run time. I am sure that would happen when I had a ton of snow to move.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Tank below 1/2 makes make less pressure on the fuel system.

DO NOT reuse your old filter, throw it away.
Always use a new filter.

As far as Jelling goes, treat your fuel long before temps get ugly.
If the fuel jells in the system, it's not as simple as just changing out the filter.

 

[mickeyd]

My manual does state to change filter with 1/2 tank or less.

I not only keep a spare filter, I keep a spare bowl also. The reason, I have broken the bowl before while brush hogging.

 

[Stmar]

Tank below 1/2 makes make less pressure on the fuel system.

DO NOT reuse your old filter, throw it away.
Always use a new filter.

As far as Jelling goes, treat your fuel long before temps get ugly.
If the fuel jells in the system, it's not as simple as just changing out the filter.

Thanks for the tip, price of filter is negligible and I was dreading finding kerosene to clean it and would probably make a mess of it anyway. Pressure makes sense and I will definitely try and not get caught by the cold.

 

[Stmar]

Since the Kubota dealer is a ways away are there any auto parts places, like NAPA, that have crosses for filters to get you out of trouble? And if so which ones have you had success with?

 

[Bulldog]

When I want anything other than Kubota I use Donaldson filters. Get them from Truckpro. Most of what I need they stock and if not they normally get it the next day.

 

[lugbolt]

Kubota put a bulletin out a while back that basically stated that use of a non-kubota fuel filter can lead to problems if a fuel system failure occurred under warranty. It went on to give the micron level of filtering for the Kubota filter, and then another filter, which was supposed to be (at that time) one of the better filters and it was a marked difference.

This tells me that even though someone else might be manufacturing Kubota's filters for them, that doesn't mean the one you get at the parts store is the same exact filter with a different name. Kinda like John Deere. YOu can buy the Lowes/Home Depot mass market mowers for cheap or you can go to the dealer and spend a little more on a much better piece of equipment. They both say John Deere on them but there is a HUGE difference in the quality.

 

[rkidd]

I have always used all Kubota filters on mine just to be covered if there is a problem as lugbolt says. They are competitively priced, so a non issue for me. If the dealer is a ways away, maybe just get one or two extras to have in stock.

 

[Stmar]

Thanks for all the input. Sounds like planning ahead is the key, especially in winter time when travel is restricted. With my 8Ns I always had plenty of oil and plugs and points on hand.
Just a side note: 8Ns = 1 gallon per hour,
B2650 = 1 gallon per 5 hours, quite an improvement.