Do you replace a filter based on age instead of run time?

[Elkins45]

My diesel tractor only gets about 30 hours of use a year. I change the oil annually but have been leaving the filter for at least 2X changes. This is largely based on Kubota’s recommendation of replacing a filter after 400 hours. How many years would you let a filter go before replacing it even if it had just a few hours of use?

 

[User_19876]

My old truck sees about 2500 miles a year. I go two years with a PG241EX. It could probably go ten.

 

[TomYoung]

Three to five years.

 

[JTK]

I'm in the same boat with my sub compact tractor. About 30hrs/year. I was planning on doing the engine oil/filter yearly regardless since the little Yanmar in it only holds two quarts, but maybe I'll leave the filter on there for 2-3. Haven't decided yet. I've been using the same filters that the Nissan vehicles in my sig use as they are very close to the yanmar OEM filters.

 

[fantastic]

For a quality filter I go 3-4 years.

 

[Rand]

if its 30 hours a year just do oil and filter changes every 2 years?

 

[doitmyself]

I adjust my workplace farm tractors for low hours use - about 100 hours per year, which is still very low use compared to real farmers and the larger tractor recommended change intervals.

Oil filters - 2 years max.
Fuel filters - 2 years max. regardless of hours. Diesel fuel can be dirty/finicky.
Air filters - visual inspection annually. Replace every 5 to 6 years. Don't over service them.....increases the odds of getting dirt into engine.
Coolant - every 4 years with JD Coolgard.
Hytran fluid - every 6 years.......seems to start collecting some moisture (condensation off interior walls??) after 6 years.

These are conservative intervals considering the huge recommended hour intervals of my 65+ HP tractors. My JD 4150 sub compact has smaller fluid volumes and shorter intervals.

I balance what's good for the tractor and what satisfies my peace of mind.

 

[nbpt100]

That is a tough call. I have seen manufacturers say every other oil change to change the oil filter. They could say every, and sell more filters. Kohler makes and extended oil now that is designed by Ames oil. The OCI is 300 hours, but it is only extended if you use their recommended oil extended life oil filter. I almost always base oil and filter changes on run time unless I have not idea what the run time was. I also go by appearance of the oil. I always change the filter. Maybe it is over kill but it won't harm and can only help.

 

[bullwinkle]

It depends-low end cellulose (Fram PH, base Champ/Luberfiner, Hastings, etc.) on an outside piece of equipment I wouldn't go over a year. Full synthetic like OG Ultra, Fleetguard Stratapore could stay on until the can rusts off!

 

[mrvmax]

It depends-low end cellulose (Fram PH, base Champ/Luberfiner, Hastings, etc.) on an outside piece of equipment I wouldn't go over a year. Full synthetic like OG Ultra, Fleetguard Stratapore could stay on until the can rusts off!

This is a good recommendation, I would use this advice and evaluate when you replace it to see if the interval is appropriate.

 

[Snagglefoot]

I will put mine in for a total of 12 months, changing the oil once at 6 months: summer/winter.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I would only do 2 years on an oil filter, due mainly to the very poor quality steel we often see used on filters these days. Rust seems like a potentially real issue.

If I wanted it to go longer I would seek out something with a heavier can, like Hengst for example.