Kubota KL filters: which ones do you need and when do you replace them?

A Kubota KL has four filters that protect the engine and hydraulic system: the engine oil filter, the hydraulic oil filter, the air filter and the fuel filter. In this article you'll read what each Kubota KL filter does, when to replace it and which filter fits.

Suitable for the entire KL series: KL21, KL23, KL25, KL27, KL30, KL33, KL36, KL43 and the H variants KL28H, KL31H, KL34H, KL38H, KL41H, KL46H and KL50H.

Kubota KL engine oil filter: every 200 hours

The engine oil filter should be replaced at the first service after 50 hours and every 200 hours after that — so with every second oil change. Important to know: if the filter becomes saturated, a bypass valve opens and the oil flows through the engine unfiltered. So the engine won't stall with a full filter, but it will wear out faster. The screw-on filter for the KL series has the same 3/4"-16 connection as the Kubota GL series.

Kubota KL hydraulic oil filter: the most important of all

Because the transmission, lift, power steering and wet brakes share the same oil, the hydraulic filter captures all the wear debris from the drivetrain. Replace it at the first service after 100 hours and every 200 hours after that. A saturated hydraulic filter shows itself through slow lift response at low RPM and stiff shifting.

Kubota KL air filter: clean and replace annually

The dry air filter element should be cleaned every 100 hours (tap it out or blow it out from the inside with low-pressure compressed air) and replaced at least once a year. A clogged air filter shows up as power loss and black smoke. If you work a lot in dusty conditions, such as milling in dry soil, halve the cleaning interval.

Kubota KL fuel filter: every 400 hours

The fuel filter should be replaced every 400 hours, or sooner if you experience starting problems or stalling — contaminated diesel is the most common source of trouble in older imported tractors. Bleed the fuel system after every filter change. For the four-cylinder H models (KL38H through KL50H, V2203/V2403 engine), a matching fuel filter (SKU-150015) is available separately.

Ordering Kubota KL filters: watch out for the GL listing

The KL series was a Japanese domestic model. As a result, many filter catalogs don't list "KL", but instead show the technically identical Kubota GL series (Grandel) or the engine code (D1403, D1463, D1503, D1703, V2203, V2403). If you see a filter that fits the GL series or your engine code, it will also fit the corresponding KL. If in doubt, check the thread and the engine code on the nameplate.