Kohler Filters: Watch This BEFORE You Buy a Kohler Oil Filter At a Big Box Store! 

Order the Fram version here for half price and you don't even have to get off the couch! www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009IQZXO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0009IQZXO&linkCode=as2&tag=trialnerror-20&linkId=b06fd9d95fd60b1f906e3e391bd0b9a0

I have two Kohler engines and have always used Fram PH3614 filters for 30 years and never had a problem with the filter or the engine.

Something that is important to keep in mind, if you cut open a variety of oil filters you quickly find out that the size of the outside can doesn't tell you anything about the size of the filter inside it. Personally I use aftermarket filters anytime I can, most of them are at least as good as the OEM filters. Kohler, Briggs & Stratton, John Deere, etc, DO NOT make their own filters, they buy them from a manufacturer who puts their name on them.

I just did this today. Was searching for alternative to the Kohler filter and found the STP S3614 in a cross reference online. Bought it and 2 qts of 5W-30 STP Full Synthetic for my Kohler 7000 series 22hp. I went 5W instead of 10W because it turns over very slow in cold and thinner oil at startup made it a bit easier after the oil change. Still a 30W at operating temp. Seems to run great and the filter fits perfectly. I paid under $5 for mine and the full oil change was just under $20 with full synethetic oil.

Definitely the best video I've seen all week thank you so much you're going to save me so much money every year

FYI STP regular filters and Walmart's "Super Tech" oil filters are the exact same filter. They are called E-Core filters. You can also use Motorcraft filters which translate to the FL910s.

works on my 27HP kohler -- Oil changes and oil flow -- something I believe in. Over the years everything I have STILL RUNS and does not SMOKE! :)

Now I just need to know about spark plug

Good video. Any brand of 3614 equivalent will work. Lots of choice out there. And I doubt that Kohler makes their own filters. Most companies just rebrand from an actual filter manufacturer.

Great info. The local Tractor Supply has both medium and large Kohler filters and they are both between $9 & $10, same price (wierd). But it's great to know that you can buy a regular automobile filter cheaper. Most likely the automobile filter will be a much better product. I have a Cub 54in tractor with a 26hp Kohler and aTroy-Bilt ZTR with a 25hp Kohler and just spent $20 on filters alone. Thank you so much, you just saved me about $10-$15 dollars on my next oil changes. And thanks to justin knuebel for a great conversion chart. It's great to have choices.

the best way to check if those filters are the same quality would be to cut them open...see what the internals are really made of. I only use Wix anymore...

We just experienced this and installed the shorter one not realizing it and what a mess when it blew off. Phram 7575 works on the XT1 and was crossed referenced at O’Reillys for under $5.00.

I Use ST3600 or PH3600. It is much longer and has more surface area/filter media. The length/height also allows the oil a better opportunity to cool. Also the 3600 is a very common filter, so easy to find.

Wix 51348 fits my kohler 17.5 and my B & S 16.5 v-twin. $8.99 at O'reillys. Also 1348 NAPA Gold. It is a large capacity filter.

This is what I was looking for. Thanks!

*ENGLAND* I cross referenced a US branded filter, to find an alternative filter (OEM Kohler 12 050 01) i can put on my Kohler Courage 19hp sv590 here in England. A came up with a Crosland L10180PS filter which is used on a 2004 Mazda 3 2.0 Petrol. The thread is the same at 3/4 inch, and the diameter of the rubber seal is about 1-2mm larger which hasn't created any issues, the filter itself has a slightly larger volume, which isn't an issue for me but could be if you had a much smaller engine with this filter type. So far i'm very happy as this filter only cost me £3.90 from Halfords as i got it price matched with Euro Car Parts. Let me know if this is of any help.

@TRIAL N' ERROR can you or somebody PLEASE tell me, do these filters work on the Kohler 5400 series engine?? I cant find the original filter ANYWHERE!

Just bought a new Bad Boy with a KT740 Kohler 25hp. It came with that medium filter on the motor from the factory.

I wonder if is wise to use the Kohler until at least the warranty expires?

Good video I like the way you think. I just purchased a mower with the 22hp and I am going to cross reference to see if I can standardize my filter inventory

Just wanted to say thanks I did this on my kohler 7000 24 hp going to try it on another mower I have saved me lota

I don't know about these particular filters but when you switch to a different filter you have to make sure that the pressure spring inside the filters the same cuz there's like 9 pounds 7 lb and that'll make a big difference if you put a filter with the wrong pressure will not let it flow

How do you like your lawnmower?

Kohler usually uses the same manufacturer as stp. Champ labs.

You saved the day. Thanks!

Thanks for the info I knew there was a better alternative to those over priced filters.

I discovered my 1996 Miata uses same filter as my 17.5 Kohler.

Good, useful information. I would also recommend cross-referencing to WIX filters. They actually make the filters for numerous labels as well as their own brand. I just found out that WIX is sold at O'Reilly's Auto Parts. I will only use WIX or Purolator.

I switched over to WIX 51394 on my 21 hp Kawasaki, 5.00 on eBay. Wix quality. The Kawasaki filter was over 12 dollars at home depot.

Not a big fan of manufacture filters: If you want high quality filter and willing to spend a little more (I mean you spent $3,000 on a mower, why not invest in descent maintenance). I use a Amsoil oil Filter for the Very Same Engine (Part # Ea 15 K 53 or EA15K53). 10x the filter as these two mentioned above. Also run 10W30 Amsoil small engine in it. $15.45 for nonmember $11.50 for members for the oil filter). Sometimes you get what you pay for (and sometimes you don't with these manufacturer filters). All the Best. Thanks for the video!

Guess who isn't buying a kohler filter now. I have a Troy Bilt Bronco with a k5400 series 19hp and it has this filter but the larger size from factory and I have been going nuts for an hour looking for one. When I could have gone to autozone and back and changed the oil in that time.

thanks for the info

Thank You Great video

I put a biger k&n oil filter on my Kohler coand ch22 alot longer than a Kohler one

My son has a 37 horse, Briggs & Stratton, vanguard engine, and I was wondering what cross references from the 842921 oil filter to something else I have a bunch of color that I bought from Jay Thomas when I had a different mower with a Kohler on it

The thread and gasket size also cross over to a fram/stp/Supertech 3600 or a wix/microguard/napa 51516 or 1516.

Thanks for the tip

Thanks ! NOTICE: I was told by the dealer where I bought my XT2 Enduro Cub Cadet yard tractor, 26 horse, Twin....I must use the Kohler brand while the tractor is under warranty to be in compliance.

Wow! This is wonderful information. Do you know if this filter scenario would be the same for the Kawasaki 850 25 HP engine?

The kohler 7000 series 24 hp will take a Walmart super tech st3614, which is $2.84 and works the same!

Dam i wish i seen this yesterday..Ill be switching from now on

I was going to go all oem though I did use an aftermarket filter last time. Does anyone happen to know the interchange for the fuel filter. The interchange site that has a lot of cross reference for oil filters didn’t have much on the fuel filter. Car quest and some other brand. Koehler 24 050 13 s1 is what my club cadet is suppose to take

My 13 hp Kohler Command took the same filter as a Chrysler 318 v8.

Will the STP filter work on a CV15S engine?

I been using the ST3614. It’s Walmart brand. No issues in 5 years.

My kohler courage 19 hp engine had from new the oil filter # 12 050 02 on it, when i ordered the same number filter via online source I got it the small size that was much smaller in H the dia was the same, obviously they must have stopped producing the larger one. I even ordered after market that claimed they were the larger. “Not” every filter I purchased or found with the number on my original factory equipped filter were wrong. I Will give the S 3614 a look from autozone btw now $5.99 but still cheaper. 1/2 the price. I looked at cross reference charts and I did not find the S3614 matching a kohler engine anyplace. Thanks

Fram equivalents: PH8172 for the short version. PH7575 for the long version.

If you want a filter with excellent history try wix and purelator sorry bad speller these filters will hand down make a difference I’ve been using them almost my entire career as a industrial mech I hope this helps

Wal-mart SuperTech 3614 works fine, it's $3.00.

Been using a Motorcraft FL910s in my Courage 19 for 3 years

I totally agree I use fram oil filters on all my mowers and save a ton of money and never had an engine failure with over 5000 hours.

Did the oil filters work out no issues

O.k. I have a question about the air filter, is there suppose to be a lil oil up in the filter housing?

I use Bosch Premium filters. Twice the price as the STP, but it's only $8. Still less than the crappy OEM Kohler. Worth the investment once a season for a better-performing filter. JMO

Will this work with a Courage SV541 18HP ?

Coming up on my 5 hour break in oil change. My question is will a different brand of oil filter void the manufacturing warranty? I couldn't find anything about that in the manuals.

I have the kohler 7000 series engine on my tractor it only has 40 hours on it. I have been using the kohler brand 10w30 oil. Can I use another brand such as napa 10w30 or should I stick with the kohler branded? Someone mentioned special additives in the kohler

Thanks!

Thank you for sharing, we have a Cub Cadet ZT1 LT46 Model #13APA1CT056 with the Kohler 7000 Series KT-725 engine and the label lists the oil filter KH-12-050-01-S: I need to find a correct alternative brand to save money.

A 3600 is taller than a 3614, a ford v8 80's filter is that, but larger diameter

Would this work on Kohler 7000 26hp?

Motor craft fl-400s works as well, but only on tractors most zero turns I’ve seen don’t have enough clearance.

I use the Royal Purple oil filter, 10-2835, it is 1/2 larger than a 5205002S, and a lot better than the OEM oil filter..........

Thank you

I pray god, FRAM doesn't make the STP filter. LOL Cross reference for WIX. Liked and subscribed. BTW, what's the measured height on that model STP?

Nice video. I used to work for AutoZone for a number of years and it was very common for people to come in and buy a cheaper car filter for the lawn mower. They can also cross reference part number to your Kohler or John Deere filter to an equivalent STP or Wix or whatever filter. It's not a big deal, those filters take a lot less abuse in a mower for 100 hours than a car for 5 or 6 thousand miles.

Hey. Thanks for the video. Does this also apply to the 5400 engine?

Just a note to Kohler owners. The size of the filter does enter into the price or quality of the filter. Do your research. What matters is the micron size of the paper portion of the filter. Smaller microns does a superior job of filtering out any contaminants that may damage your engine.

There's a big difference in quality of oil filters, and it usually reflects the price. Stay away from cheap oil filters people. Cut them open and see for yourself. The next time you're in the store where lawn equipment is sold, hold the factory air filters up to the knock off brands like 'Arnold' and you can really see the big difference in quality. Oil filters are no different.

Can I use this oil on a i1050 cub cadet?

Need some help by means of replies by those that have used the STP S3614. After removing the original filter, lubricating the gasket with some oil I found the first couple threads went right on (turned easlly (getting the thread started) after that I found it extremely difficult screwing the resy of the oil filter on. Anyone have similar problem. Thanks

Supertech (Walmart in stock) as ST 3614 for under $4. Same exact size, same thread. Peer in through the threaded hole on the ST 3614 vs the 52-050-012 and you'll notice the exact same metal grid pattern holding back the same looking paper media. (ST 3614 is the knock off to Fram 3614 BTW). Enjoy and keep posting tip$ my friends...we're all in this together.

what about the air filters? Any stock item that can used in place of the one that comes from Kohler? I've got the 24hp KT-735 engine.

NAPA Platinum made by WIX is by far the best filter on the market and far better than STP and is usually $1more than the NAPA Gold! Measure the thread on the bottom of your original filter. Go to your NAPA store early in the morning and order the Platinum if you must. It will be there the next day. Order a longer filter if you can. You will be effectively doubling the filter element area and using the best quality filter. Also, Kohler's and Kawaski's recommended oil is a synthetic blend. However, synthetic blends can be only 20% synthetic. I use full synthetic Royal Purple with zinc. I own a commercial onion farm with all sorts of tractors, trucks, and machinery. I have owned three Kohler-powered Cub Cadets. I used to do engine jobs, at least once a year with full Mobile One synthetic and NAPA Gold filters. Since I switched to Royal Purple with zinc and NAPA Platinum nothing has broken period. The 750 hr Kohler Courage is now up to 2250hrs. It still burns clean. Use full synthetic grease too. Valvoline is the best as some others will separate while in the cartridge into oil and grease. Since Valvoline, out of hundreds of greaseable bearings, none has died. With regular grease, my bearing pullers were essential tools. Now they are in the bottom drawer of my tool rack. This is a great video. Forgive me for trying to expand on it. I just had to let you folks know. Machinery costs have skyrocketed. This is a way to make them last. Oh, and keep your air and fuel filters clean.

Also cross reference to a Fram PH3614

will that STP also work on My john deere La 135 and D120 rider with the 19.5 HP Briggs & Staraton engine and the Briggs 22HP Twin ?

Have a 25hp Kohler 7000 series...anyone know of a source for air filters besides Kohler?

Only thing I would do different is use oil specifically for small engines Higher zinc content is better for small engine and it isn't THAT much more expensive

Can you do a video for the Kawasaki engines too. I’ve bought my first filter and I’m already tired of it.

Hey bud have you ever had any problems with your choler surging at low idle

My manual said NOT to use 5 or 10W 30 motor oil but to use SAE30. It was quite a bit more.....so I would be okay using 10/30 anyway?

God bless it I wished I would have watched this video before I went to HD and dropped 14 bucks on that damn filter.... well I have the numbers written down and won’t do that again!!..... thanks for the information

I can buy 3 Toyota filters for the price of 1 for my Tecumseh and it is a little longer

Different brands at different prices usually made at the same factory since the producers don't have their own factory just for filters. The local small machines repair shop charges 40!! dollars for an oil filter to my Husqvarna LT151 here in Norway.

I've used car oil myself and filters only thing that scares me is I wonder if the return rate flow of filter is as good and is the oil for water cooled engines like a car as good for small air cooled engines like mowers? Not sure if there's any difference just something I always wondered and info would be appreciated

Thanks for this video! I've got a Troy Bilt mower with the 22hp Kohler, & I've always bought the genuine oil filter at about $18.00 each. Thanks to this info, l just bought a Car Quest #R85394 for $3.99 + tax!!! 👍😁👍

Napa filter number is a 1348. The silver should be around $3.50 and the Napa Gold around $6.00. Great video!

Napa 21348mp fits All Kohler and Kawasaki and Briggs nuff said

3512 is exact S 3512 stp etc is the small one 3614 is medium one 3600 largest PH is Fram S is STP

napa gold 1361 holds 3/8 quart .. $3.50

I think there is something special about those Kohler oil filters kohlers name is on them

I always have been told WIX makes many brands of filters and are the best ones. I would love to know who makes the STP brand. OH,, OK,, Champ Labs from comment below! Why SYNTHETIC OIL? My Koehler Command 16hp takes SAE 30 . And yes.. at Auto Zone its the lowest price at 3.99/qt. Why buy 5 qts of oil when the engine like mine only takes 2 qts. ? NAPA filters are made by WIX from what I was told.

I agree with you but this won’t work on an XT1. I tried and I need the smaller filter.

I have a Cub Cadet 20HP, and use a S3614 or equivalent. I got the Carquest $5 filter, R84358. Apparently this size fits 50-60 cars and trucks: everything from the Yugo, Geo Metro, to the brand new Bronco!

I’ve used 3614 but just picked up a 3600, looks like same thread and O-ring size but a little longer.

The inside of the filter is what matters,, not the can. Different brands use different filtering materials and numbers of layers.

Kohler Filters are made by Purolator just a FYI

Lol I rebuild about 4 to 5 commercial kohler engines a year and service about 50+ a year I have never in my life bought a kohler filter, I use the wix that crosses to the 3614 filter. And fyi the 3614 filter is used on many automotive engines up to 4.0l displacement

You should cut them open for a comparison , on another video they cut open four different filters, the more expensive genuine parts filter was made much better. You can't tell much by just looking at them, you need to cut them open.

Is it okay to use a taller filter than what was on your mower?