I'm curiuos if anybody else has run into this - it's a rather curious phenomena.
I've got a handfull of OE #'s I use in looking up filters for small (mostly air cooled) engines. In this situation you can't simply select make and model and year to get a filter # as you would w/ cars. You need an original Kohler, Briggs or Tecumseh part# is all.
Now what gets curious is that after you have part#s direct from Wix, Fram, Purolator, Champ Labs(STP/Autozone) that correlate to the OE#s - you'll find by way of redundant checks that they do NOT always cross reference to each other!
I suspect this has as much to do w/ (some?) filter companies constantly trying to revamp their lines and reduce as much diversity as possible by finding more commonalities for a given filter design and eliminating models.
Anyway it's just sort of interesting to see how different filter makes judge which of their filters are the best for an OEM# and compare to each other.
That is if you are a true filter nerd!
Here's a specific example set:
Fram is always intesting - surprisingly enough they and Wix have trended towards making MORE unique part#s in recent years for these same applications. WHile I don't use Fram, I have always found their filter#s to handy in a pinch as the most popular cross referenced brand as well as a numbering scheme popularly borrowed by other brands at times.
It's also worth noting that Champion Labs makes the Kohler and B&S filters AFAIK as well as Deere filters last time I checked.
In the small engine industry I believe the Kohler & Briggs filters are simply used interchangeably by shops specializing in this type of service and simply referred to as "Tall" or "Short" filters (makes for very easy inventory control and lookup systems!). The short version is simply needed for some applications that don't have clearance.
The Tecumseh filter I have no experience w/ but filter makers tend to lump it in at times w/ the 'tall' or 'short' filter groupings. Sort of odd person out.
I've got a handfull of OE #'s I use in looking up filters for small (mostly air cooled) engines. In this situation you can't simply select make and model and year to get a filter # as you would w/ cars. You need an original Kohler, Briggs or Tecumseh part# is all.
Now what gets curious is that after you have part#s direct from Wix, Fram, Purolator, Champ Labs(STP/Autozone) that correlate to the OE#s - you'll find by way of redundant checks that they do NOT always cross reference to each other!
I suspect this has as much to do w/ (some?) filter companies constantly trying to revamp their lines and reduce as much diversity as possible by finding more commonalities for a given filter design and eliminating models.
Anyway it's just sort of interesting to see how different filter makes judge which of their filters are the best for an OEM# and compare to each other.
That is if you are a true filter nerd!
Here's a specific example set:
Deutsch is long gone - just included for historical info. Note it's # changes w/ STP.
Fram is always intesting - surprisingly enough they and Wix have trended towards making MORE unique part#s in recent years for these same applications. WHile I don't use Fram, I have always found their filter#s to handy in a pinch as the most popular cross referenced brand as well as a numbering scheme popularly borrowed by other brands at times.
It's also worth noting that Champion Labs makes the Kohler and B&S filters AFAIK as well as Deere filters last time I checked.
In the small engine industry I believe the Kohler & Briggs filters are simply used interchangeably by shops specializing in this type of service and simply referred to as "Tall" or "Short" filters (makes for very easy inventory control and lookup systems!). The short version is simply needed for some applications that don't have clearance.
The Tecumseh filter I have no experience w/ but filter makers tend to lump it in at times w/ the 'tall' or 'short' filter groupings. Sort of odd person out.
