How does everyone feel about 3rd party filters for a BX2230? I'd like to do some spring maintenance, Kubota filters are so expensive!
3rd party filters
- Thread starter shybuck
- Start date
I can't believe your BX2230 costs are much different from my BX1880 cost so here's my story.
Being a "new" tractor owner when I did the 50 hr. service I did what you want to do, searched high and low and bought stuff from local stores and Amazon thinking I can get it cheaper and save a few $.
This March (with 300 hrs. on the BX) I bought everything from the local Kubota dealer. Got all OEM stuff in one place at one time, no running from store to store or waiting around for delivery of the wrong (happened) or missing item(s). Could I have saved a few dollars? Maybe, but my time is worth more than that...and I'm retired and have plenty of time.
Motor oil filter ($12.80) and fuel filters ($8.70 each) were no more than any 3rd party seller. You can probably get cheaper "equivalent" filters but how much are you really saving and are they really "equivalent"? Maybe, maybe not. I've never bought a 3rd party hyd. filter but the OEM one was $22.62, reasonable considering the size and psi rating. The air filter ($16.88) I thought was reasonable also.
Kubota UDT2 was $30.15 / gal and the 10W30 Kubota diesel engine oil was $26.58 / gal. also at the Kubota dealer, which was less expensive than where I was looking on-line.
JM2C.
Being a "new" tractor owner when I did the 50 hr. service I did what you want to do, searched high and low and bought stuff from local stores and Amazon thinking I can get it cheaper and save a few $.
This March (with 300 hrs. on the BX) I bought everything from the local Kubota dealer. Got all OEM stuff in one place at one time, no running from store to store or waiting around for delivery of the wrong (happened) or missing item(s). Could I have saved a few dollars? Maybe, but my time is worth more than that...and I'm retired and have plenty of time.
Motor oil filter ($12.80) and fuel filters ($8.70 each) were no more than any 3rd party seller. You can probably get cheaper "equivalent" filters but how much are you really saving and are they really "equivalent"? Maybe, maybe not. I've never bought a 3rd party hyd. filter but the OEM one was $22.62, reasonable considering the size and psi rating. The air filter ($16.88) I thought was reasonable also.
Kubota UDT2 was $30.15 / gal and the 10W30 Kubota diesel engine oil was $26.58 / gal. also at the Kubota dealer, which was less expensive than where I was looking on-line.
JM2C.
Old Machinist
Well-known member
Equipment
Kubota LX3310 cab, JD 4310, NH 575E cab backhoe, JD F725, Swisher 60", etc.
I work for a dealer, albeit no longer with kubota dealer
you wouldn't believe how much equipment comes through that has aftermarket fluids and filters, that has engine or transmission problems. Nobody believes it, and I'm told to keep quiet about work related stuff, so that's that.
but it happens. Now does that mean the filters/fluids are the problem? Maybe or maybe not. Maybe it's because the owners don't care enough about their equipment and they abuse it, then "maintain" it with aftermarket cheap stuff, I don't have explanantion for any of that.
similarly if I walk through a junkyard, and looking at the thousands of cars in the yard, the ones that say "bad engine" often have a bright orange filter dangling off of them...real common. Pretty rare to see one with "bad engine" on it, that still has an OEM filter. Just sayin'.
take it however you please. I've learned to use OEM stuff even on my 20+ year old equipment. Kinda hard to go wring with that stuff. One time in 34 years have I had an OEM filter ever give problem and that was because the threads were cut incorrectly.
you wouldn't believe how much equipment comes through that has aftermarket fluids and filters, that has engine or transmission problems. Nobody believes it, and I'm told to keep quiet about work related stuff, so that's that.
but it happens. Now does that mean the filters/fluids are the problem? Maybe or maybe not. Maybe it's because the owners don't care enough about their equipment and they abuse it, then "maintain" it with aftermarket cheap stuff, I don't have explanantion for any of that.
similarly if I walk through a junkyard, and looking at the thousands of cars in the yard, the ones that say "bad engine" often have a bright orange filter dangling off of them...real common. Pretty rare to see one with "bad engine" on it, that still has an OEM filter. Just sayin'.
take it however you please. I've learned to use OEM stuff even on my 20+ year old equipment. Kinda hard to go wring with that stuff. One time in 34 years have I had an OEM filter ever give problem and that was because the threads were cut incorrectly.
BAP
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
2012 Kubota 2920, 60MMM, FEL, BH65 48" Bush Hog, 60"Backblade, B2782B Snowblower
Pay now! Or Pay later! People spend thousands and thousands of dollars on a tractor then they turn around and complain “How Expensive” it is to properly service them. Poor service leads to premature failures and very expensive repairs that could have been avoided by using the proper maintenance materials and methods. If they can’t afford to maintain a tractor then the tractor should never have been purchased in the first place.
You bought a $7,000 wheelbarrow and want to save the equivalent of a S*Bucks cup of burnt coffee?
It's like some guys I race with. $10k motor work and a $300 helmet.
Edit- that was not meant to come across as condescending. Just that saving a couple bucks is not worth the potential future expense when it comes to filtration of hydros
It's like some guys I race with. $10k motor work and a $300 helmet.
Edit- that was not meant to come across as condescending. Just that saving a couple bucks is not worth the potential future expense when it comes to filtration of hydros
Last edited:
North Idaho Wolfman
Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
I feel like you will just be wasting money now, and a lot more down the line when things fail.
You are dealing with a well designed piece of machinery and you want to saddle it with very possibly sub par protection.
Stop wasting money on things like filters and oils-it's a scam! Stick it to the man.
OK that just about says it. This can be an emotional group. Bought my bx2230 in 2005. A great machine and I love it, never let me down. I have always used Kubota filters and oils etc. This time changing out oil, trans oil and gas filters I thought I'd see if anyone came across some 3rd party filter that measured up. I guess not!
I always buy oem filters and fluids when any tractor is on warranty. Just for the fact if there was a power train warranty claim it’s on their files that oem products were purchased. In your case I wouldn’t be afraid to out source engine oil and air filter from an automotive parts store or supplier. There are hundreds of thousands of D series Kubota engines in everything from gensets to small construction equipment to reefer units on semi truck. So there will be good filters to match. I would personally stick with the dealer hst filter/filters though. But even if you don’t the odds of a aftermarket part failing and causing damage is very low. Good luck with your choices