lawn mower oil filters

[jerry 4]

why are small engine oil filters so exspensive? [ have both a kohlor and a techompsee, both oil filters are over $12 each. does anyone know of a fram or other filter to cross reference?fram oil filters are about 4bucks.
 

[Dean]

Economies of scale.

Items made in large quantities can be produced for less cost than similar items made in smaller quantities because fixed costs can be amortized over more units.

Dean
 

[wisbaker]

NAPA fleet department or even Autozone/Car quest/Bumper to bumper should be able to get them. Look for a online filter cross reference and cross your Kohler or Tecumseh filter number. They are probably a common filter also used on something else. Example early Toro grounds masters used the same oil filter as a Renault LeCar and their Hydraulic filter is the same as a VW type 4/Porsche 914 oil filter. Used to get Fram filters for Onan twin cylinders, (don't remember the engine model) and for Kohler 582s and I'm using a WIX for my 22HP Onan Wheel Horse. You may have to do some of the parts research because so many auto parts use a menu driven computerized system with out all the applications listed and they're driven (the computers) my minimum wage zone employees, but the parts are cheaper.
 

[farmer boy]

You should be able to cross most filters to Wix. Just go to a 'better' auto parts store like Napa or Car Quest and see if they can cross it.The comment about scale is very true. A lawnmower filter can cost $12 while a filter slightly bigger for a Chevy 350/305 etc. can cost $2.55.
 

[luv2wrench]

Cub Cadet oil filter $16.

A/C Delco filter $3.00

Kawaski filter $22.00

A/C Delco filter 5.00
 

[Matt in the Thumb]

I know the common current Kohler and Briggs filters cross to a Fram 3614. It"s a filter used on Dodge Neons, PT Cruisers, etc. Not sure about the Tecumseh, but I"m sure it could be crossed as well.
 

[RGMartin]

They should be normal small diameter 3/4-16 filter. Kohler used to just have 2 filters, a long and a short, one used to cross directly to a Purolator L10241 IIRC. The easy way to find one that fit was to look up what fit a Yugo, any Yugo.

Ford/Motorcraft FL-400 may work for you too, just it is twice as long.
 

[George Marsh]

Check the prices at Rural King.
 

[JayinNY]

I use the supertech 3614 for my kohler and I think Its 3967 for my kawie, that one is the same on my wifes Toyota rave 4!!! the small engine companies are just ripping us off, they don't make there own filters, somebody makes it for them.
 

[John B.]

Many oil filters are interchangeable. There are only a few different threaded hole sizes but many different physical filter sizes.
 

[Gchase24]

Go to Fram.com. You can cross referance the oem filter number to a Fram number. I was paying $24 dollars for a mini excavator filter from Kubota and $6.00 for a Fram filter to fit the same machine.
 

[John M]

I really dont rememeber where I use to get them from, either Advanced or Autozone, but the Purolater was only like 4 bucks. I get them from my local guy now, Wix for like 3 bicks each, but I buy like 10 at a time.
 

[MeAnthony]

My Briggs & Stratton mower engine has standard 3/4 x 16 oil filter thread. Fram PH3614, PH3600, PH16, PH43 and PH8A are identical in terms of thread and gasket, only difference is size of the filter can itself.

Hope this helps,

Anthony
 

[RickieBlue]

I use a Motorcraft FL400s as a replacement filter on a Briggs V twin...it has a micron rating of 18 as opposed to Briggs filters which are 23 or 24 and the FL400s has filter media area of 148 square inches as opposed to Briggs standard black filter has 48 sq in and the premium orange filter has 96 sq in. The motorcraft is a little longer but I have plenty of room for it on my Snapper Pro.
 

[Russ from MN]

I get Wix at O'Reileys for a lot less than that! If you ever read the test done on filters you would never use Fram. I used to have lifter rattle on one vehicle and when I quit using Fram it went away. One reason some smaller filters are more expensive is some have check or relief valves that others do not. I usually look it up myself at home to make sure I am getting the right filter. I would never use one just because it screws on!