fram filters vs John Deere

[8850dave]

What quality do the Fram filters have compared the JD for like a 4320 or 4430 vintage tractor

 

[Randy G]

None! They are not JD filters quality. Most will more than likely say the same. JD filters are MADE for JD applications. Fram's are not.

 

[tomstractorsandtoys]

Deere does not make filters. They have a set of specs and put them out on bids. Filters are much like batteries, only about 4 or 5 factories make them for everyone. I use Luberfine filters which my dealer says they have built filters for Deere (not sure if currently or not). I have also used Baldwin filters and have been satisfied with them. Fram filters scare me as there are so many stories about poor quality and the fact that walmart sells them. Many walmart products are poorer quality than the same item sold other places. Deere filters are good but I have gotten disgusted with Deere not providing the o-rings for 3020-4020 engine and hyd filters as a way to get more for the their products. Tom

 

[4010 puller]

I use wix/napa and fleet guard. My jd dealer sells fleetguard filters too. Not sure on quality of baldwin

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

I've been using Fram almost exclusively for over 40 years and never had a problem. One guy once told me "They plug up". Maybe they caught stuff your "better" filter was missing? No science here, just experience/opinion.

 

[Hayfarmer]

Just a few years back I worked for a JD dealer and the 30 series, 4430, were new. How could they possibly be vintage? Guess that means I must be vintage too. just a comment

 

[NoDakInMN]

Given that the tractors you mention are pretty common and there is no shortage of suppliers, I would say in this situation that the quality of the filter is reflected in the price or you are getting what you pay for. Given the overall importance of the role good filters play in the longevity of your tractors, I would say spending a little more for a better filter is cheap insurance.

Of course, if you were really curious, you could buy a couple different ones and cut them crosswise and actually look at the filtering material. More pleats per inch or pleat density means a larger filtering area and thus a better filter. Some oil filters also include a bypass valve in case the filter becomes too clogged for same reason, which is additional insurance.

 

[pbb]

Ive been using Wix filters that I get from my local auto parts for years with no problems. They always have them on the shelf everytime I go there.

 

[JD Seller]

I have seen two different tractors over the years that where hard starting that was because of a Fram air filters.

One of them was a JD 4430. I traded it in planning on an overhaul. You just about had to either it to get it to start in the summer. The mechanic had the hoods and air filter housings off and wanted to pressure wash the top of the motor before he started the tear down. He hit the key and the tractor took right off. HE washed the tractor and let it set over night. The next morning it cold started fine. We looked at the air filter. It was a Fram with only 15 hours on it. It looked fine but must have been too fine or something as it restricted the air enough at cranking speed the tractor started hard. To check this theory out the mechanic put the air filter housing back on the tractor. installed a new JD filter in it. The tractor would start after setting out in 30-40 degree weather over night. Put the Fram back in it and the tractor barely started in the heated shop.

I personally made sure and NOT used any Fram air filters after that. Still have used the oil filters some.

Truthfully I catch the OEM suppliers when they have sales and try to use OEM when I can. I like Delco filters in GM products, Motorcraft in Ford, JD in JD, and etc. If you look at the life time cost of air and oil filters the savings will never come close to paying for any problems you could have with after market filters.

 

[WGM]

I am a firm believer in OEM filters from the tractors and combine all the way down to the lawn mower. OEM filters are made for a specific application where aftermarket, many times, one size fits all. I know for a fact Napa and Wix does this. I'm sure the others do it too. Just cheap insurance.

 

[erskine2017]

I totally agree with what you say. During cancer recuperation I had a reputable service station change oil twice. Both times the cheap oil filters bottomed out on the poorly cut threads before the rubber seal on the filter contacted the block. I replaced one with a Fram and it did the same. Since then I use A-C Delco on GM and Motorcraft on Ford with no problems.

 

[Joneil]

Must be dealer specific. My dealer always puts an o-ring in the box. Unless they charge more for the filter to include it.

 

[Joneil]

I stopped using fram a long time ago. My stock 80s camaro would rip holes in a fram air filter. And I've had the o-rings blow out of their screw on oil filters.

 

[VicS]

Champ at Albion Il. Makes Fram and John Deere. Cummins etc filters. You think they make them different! Yes I would think they would inspect the OEM filters closer.

 

[richardinnz]

I agree, those tractors are new and we are still young!

 

[451 CUBES]

Many Deere branded filters I see are now marked "Made in Mexico". Does Champ make all of Deere's filers and have a plant in Mexico, or is this another supplier making them there? Just curious. I have used Wix for years. My brother gives me grief for not using OEM filters. I do enjoy pointing out the Made in Mexico on Deere filters vs, Made in USA on the same Wix filter....

 

[vrietscha]

I agree that JD doesn't make filters. Even better is that I work for a NAPA and after some customers brought us JD filters to cross over, our WIX/NAPA filter is the same identical filters occasionally Form/Fit/Function. The only difference is that ours says NAPA and not JD. You can then see that some numbers or batches are the same by dimensions only. Those are similar to the JD ones and are Fit/Function compatible.

 

[2002sliverado]

When I purchased my first car and was performing the regular service work, I used Fram filters. I had been purchasing them at a local discount retailer store. Not long afterwards, I started going to a local auto parts house for the items I could not purchase at the discount retailer store, such as belts, hoses, batteries, etc. In that auto parts store, they had several brands of engine oil filters which were cut apart. When I saw the guts to the Fram, that cured me forever on Fram filters. I started purchasing Wix filters and have stuck with them since on all my automotive needs. My current auto parts supplier speaks very positively about Wix filter products and the company itself, and they do carry other brands of filters, but the Wix is their premium line of filters they handle. I believe Wix manufactures filters for CARQUEST and possibly NAPA, too. When it comes to my farm equipment, I purchase Deere branded filters for my John Deere equipment and Case IH branded filters for my IH equipment. I do this partially out of convenience, but also based on a story a friend of mine had shared with me. He had a Case IH filter split out the crimped seam and empty the oil out of the crankcase on his IH engine, thus ruining the engine. Case IH stood the cost of a Re-man engine and my friend had to pay the labor for removal and reinstalling the new engine. That has been nearly 20 years ago, but I remember it happening, and I guess what I shared in my comments based upon my past experiences is why I stick with OEM filters for the farm equipment and will not use a Fram filter.

 

[buickanddeere]

Considering the overall annual operating cost of fuel, parts, insurance etc. Is it really going to to save any apprecable amount to use low end filters ?

 

[jddrawbar]

I totally agree with buickandeer, the cost saving is just not there.