vermeer 252 air filter

[arbor pro]

I haven't changed the air filter on my vermeer 252 grinder since I got it new 4 years and 300 hrs ago. :monkey:

I know, I know - it probably should be done every year and/or every 100 hrs or so but, the guage has never worked since day one and it appears to be just fine when I pull it out and look at it.

I'm guessing it's long overdue to be replaced. Are you guys buying your air filter elements from Vermeer or can you get them at any NAPA, Carquest, etc?

 

[Bigstumps]

:jawdrop: :jawdrop: I can't believe the motor still runs!!! Look on the housing and it probably has a name like Donaldson or Nelson along with a number - the filter element itself should also have a number on it - it can easily be crossed. No telling what the Vermeer St(d)ealer wants for one.

You're lucky if your motor hasn't yet injested dirt!!

 

[arbor pro]

:jawdrop: :jawdrop: I can't believe the motor still runs!!! Look on the housing and it probably has a name like Donaldson or Nelson along with a number - the filter element itself should also have a number on it - it can easily be crossed. No telling what the Vermeer St(d)ealer wants for one.

You're lucky if your motor hasn't yet injested dirt!!

Getting past the obvious here - that I should have replaced this long ago, how often does the filter need to be replaced when the stupid guage doesn't work? I've taken the filter out several times and inspected it and it appears to be clean. I've never seen dirt come out of it. When the filter needs replacing, does it usually come out full of dirt or does it appear clean???

If it's supposed to be full of dirt, any ideas on why mine is clean? I'm grinding in just as dirty of conditions as anyone else I would guess... :monkey:

 

[arbor pro]

how often does the filter need to be replaced when the stupid guage doesn't work? I've taken the filter out several times and inspected it and it appears to be clean. I've never seen dirt come out of it. When the filter needs replacing, does it usually come out full of dirt or does it appear clean???

Still hoping for an answer to the above question. How many hours do you 252 owners typically get out of an air filter under normal (sometimes clean, sometimes very dirty) use? When you replace it, is it looking very dirty??

Doing stump removal part-time and having a tow behind grinder also, I am averaging only about 100 hours on my 252 in a single season. I change oil every 50-100 hours so, at least once every spring and sometimes mid-season. I'm just trying to figure out how often to change the air filter since mine still looks clean and the guage isn't any help...

 

[stumper63]

On the 5th season for my 03 252. 2700 hours same Kohler 25hp engine, no work done on engine except filters and spark plugs. Still doesn't burn oil, starts every time. That said...oil changed religiously every 100 hours, outer air filter checked, dust tapped out as needed. Inner filter changed when it begins to not be snow white anymore, probably changed it 4 times. Outer changed probably 6 times. Very cheap maintenance item.

Don't forget fuel filter, Kohler mechanic says guys do as much damage from dirty fuel as dirty air filters, don't forget the fuel goes directly into the combustion chamber, if there's dirt, the cylinders are toast. Fuel filters are what, $5? I change mine about twice a year, takes 5 minutes.

Don't forget to change your hyraulic fluid and filter too! Interval is 500 on filter, 1000 on fluid I think. And grease that machine daily!

Stumper63

 

[gr8scott72]

Don't forget to change your hyraulic fluid and filter too! Interval is 500 on filter, 1000 on fluid I think. And grease that machine daily!

Stumper63

Or if you have a machine like my old Rayco, the hydraulic fluid gets changed every couple of months when another one of the hoses breaks. lol

 

[arbor pro]

On the 5th season for my 03 252. 2700 hours same Kohler 25hp engine, no work done on engine except filters and spark plugs. Still doesn't burn oil, starts every time. That said...oil changed religiously every 100 hours, outer air filter checked, dust tapped out as needed. Inner filter changed when it begins to not be snow white anymore, probably changed it 4 times. Outer changed probably 6 times. Very cheap maintenance item.

Don't forget fuel filter, Kohler mechanic says guys do as much damage from dirty fuel as dirty air filters, don't forget the fuel goes directly into the combustion chamber, if there's dirt, the cylinders are toast. Fuel filters are what, $5? I change mine about twice a year, takes 5 minutes.

Don't forget to change your hyraulic fluid and filter too! Interval is 500 on filter, 1000 on fluid I think. And grease that machine daily!

Stumper63

Thanks, Stumper. That's the info I'm looking for. So, taking from what you just said, it sounds like you put about 600 hours on your machine in a given year and that you must change air filters about once, maybe twice a year. Does that sound right? (2700 hrs / 4-6 filter changes = a change every 400-600 hours). Also, the fuel filter gets changed once or twice a year so, every 400-600 hours. Also sound about right?

If that's the case and, if I only have about 300 hours on my machine, is it so unreasonable (according to BigStumps) that I haven't yet needed to change air or fuel filters since I don't yet have even 400 hours on my machine?

I'm going to change them out this weekend just to be safe (both air and fuel filters) but, from what Stumper just said, it sounds reasonable that I haven't yet needed to. Anyone else agree or disagree based on the hourly interval at which you change the same filters?