I was looking at getting some of these for our trucks. We stock those filters as it is so it would be nicer.
Initially I switched every filter I could to Napa Gold for convieniance. Lately i've been reviewing the filters quality, reviews and pricing.
Most of the Napa Gold filters are good. Id actually go as far to say you can follow traditional methods and not have issues with any Napa Gold.
However what sparked my review was the allison spin on. I got a few with goofy threads but they still worked just were a PITA to get started. I also had a couple people request allison filters. I always knew the prices were close and they are. Napa is still convieniant but I usually just have someone or myself swing through when getting other parts in town. My allison dealer only stocks one of each pan filter and a few spin ons though. For no extra cost to me , everybody else gets the warm fuzzy feeling their truck has a genuine allison filter haha.
Now the CAT filters. When it comes to warranty on our machines I am picky. Ive seen too many tricks pulled that I like to cover my bases. So I use all CAT filters and fluids except for engine oil, in our skid steers. Their ELC coolant is rated to 12,000hrs so I'm not too worried there but i do keep 4, 5 gallon pails around incase the Milk Truck decides to loose it all. Its $58 for 5 gallons premixed. Their advanced 10w hydraulic fluid I cant remember the price on. I do remember it was cheaper than the excavator ("smurf oil") fluid CNH used which was over $100 per pail. Cat doesnt tell you that there is nothing better than their fluids, they just give minimum specs to meet. They also give you long intervals and rarely reccomend anything but S.O.S.
When I needed an oil filter for our milk truck in a pinch I grabbed the Cat high efficiency filter at the dealer for it. I was surprised it was only $29 . Turns out the Napa gold filter was only a dollar less and that was the stand efficiency version.
Many of us have seen the differences built into Cat filters. The oil filter mentioned above has an inch thick flange like a hydraulic filter would. The napa one is stamped. O ring is also a little nicer. Whether these two things would change anything I couldnt tell you. The SOS i sent in for that truck came back perfect with no signs of contamination after 20,000miles on cheap ($7/gal) conventional oil.
Ive been utterly surprised dealing with Cat on these skid steers. I figured we were going to be spending a lot of money on parts, bolts filters etc that are yellow with Cat written all over them. Instead Ive found they are more reasonable on parts than most other OEMs I deal with. I think alot of it has to do with their organization and streamlining.
Volvo construction may be the worst we deal with. While we all love that loader and never need parts for it, when we do it hurts. I priced a radiator for our 140hp wheel loader, over $7,000 . I crapped my pants and so did the parts guy. So I got it repaird for $450. I think volvo must plan on you fixing it or filing an insurance claim.
We had the back end get smashed up last snow storm. Just to replace the rear grille is $1,600.
Heck half of a door latch was $120. That didnt even include the actual half that contains the jaws.
Okay im done now. Onto the next thread somewhere. Long night/all nighter. Procrastinating a bit.
Whos package do you cradle to get Napa filters that low Tom?
