my point exactly we use german built equipment but get our filters from the manufacturer which is in the USA. Same filter just lessens the cost of shipping it overseas and then bringing it back here. As many have stated check micron, overall quality and if possible find who makes your toyota or yale labeled filter and get it direct for less. Air filters I'd say definately stay oem or at least work with the original manufacturer. For example the mits sks engine uses a donaldson filter with a certian # on it. If you just go by the number you can miss that mits had a special designed seal on the end that is only available through mits...makes a huge difference.

Ill bet OEM is more costly than aftermarket.And if that toyota filter was made by baldwin to start with how is it better than a baldwin?If you service 20 lifts a week thats 1040 a year Now you have 18 to 20 techs doing same
20800 a year.My company will look at that much a year even if it a dollar a filter.We use smh and promatch not lost an engine due to oil fliter not working

The process isn't the same but the mentality is. The original discussion was whether there was any difference in quality from OEM filters to aftermarket filters. There are 2 points; 1- there is a difference in quality and 2 is that there is an assumption that going through the OEM is more expensive. That is Home Depot, Loewes and E Bay mentality in my mind. By the way we use OEM filters on our line of trucks and aftermarket on everything else as well. SMH sells Baldwin filters and Intrupa sells Mann, but if they starting selling some off brand, no name filter we would buy somewhere else.

a lot of the "big guys" use SMH and get aftermarket filters for competitive brands. Very different than buying a lift on ebay.

I work for one of the 'big guys' and we use oe filters on our product, but aftermarket on competitors product that we service.

I don't get it. Everyone is in the E Bay mentality. No, just because you are buying filters or any other part for that matter, from a dealer doesn't mean it is more expensive. It is a ridiculous mindset that permeates all industries. You want a real bargain, buy a forklift truck from E Bay. Hmmmm-Sure it's a 1997 but what's funny is they stopped making that model in 1982.
I suspect we all work for "little guys" comparitively speaking, why not support each other?

JD Thats what Im saying but do your homework and get the proper one.

just remember oem filters are made by someone else such as wix, donaldson etc. You can find them cheaper than the ones saying yale toyota etc by crossing the #'s

Improper service of air filters lets dirt in. Not cleaning excess dirt out of housing before removing element can let dirt piled on element fall into inlet.
Continous blowing with air opens pores in filter media that you can't see with your eye and let's fine dirt through.
Dirt can get into the opposite side of filter by sliding into housing that has not been cleaned and be pulled in the engine.
We had a problem with a very large concrete floor resurfacer that had a 4cyl--2300cc industrial engine that started burning oil and lost power. Called the place that sold it. and guy came out, did some checking, pulled the head and the cylinders were trashed, the intake had concrete dust in it. Looked at the air intake hoses and piping and it was OK. Called Donaldson, who made the housing, explained how operators were servicing air filters, the answer was improper and "overservicing" of the air filter. Use restriction gauge, only replace filter when gauge said to, leave it alone no matter how dirty it looked and never blow out filters. Never had any more problems.
Had I never been involved, would have never believed it.

Visit Donaldson web site for more info.

Roadray,
I'm confused by your post. If you service equipment (and clean the air filter in the process) how is that harmful?
It may be financially foolish - too much cost, typically a sign of either an over zelous CSR/Salesman, or a maintenance plan that does not take in to account conditions or hours of use, but I do not understand how it's harmful to the engine?

Did you know that "Over Servicing" an air filter is more harmful to an engine than "Under Servicing",
Air restriction indicators are the best way to determine the need for service in dusty conditions.

Operation is the final factor.If it runs in a hospital do you need a filter.A coal yard Id change air filter weekly and inspect daily along with a good prefilter.

as far as blowing out air filters, it depends greatly on the operation* and it is a MUST to check the filter for tears and small rips after blowing it out.
*= in a brick manufacturing or other operation that is very dusty, (paper recyler, concrete plant, etc...) on that is requiring the blowing out of radiators on a daily basis, then I would blow out the air filter at least weekly, and check it by shining a flashlight from the inside and if I see light, it gets replaced, and it still gets replaced monthly.
you can buy a lot of air filters for the price on an engine that has seized a bearing and thrown a rod through the block.

Thats the point no one makes theur own filters.I worked in a company that made thermostats.Oe was just like some aftermarket except for id stamp put on in final testing.talked to the boys at place indicated.They said sevral oe and aftermarket filters are the exact same except for paint and stencil.So if you find a good filter Wix and baldwin are in some of the best use it.If it looks cheap feels cheap its junk.On my truck with 300k some filters will rattel the engine when it starts.Motercraft isnt one of them.Thats what I use.Dont use junk but good aftermarket would be ok.If your buying them 12 for a dollar I wouldnt screw them on my lawnmower.

response to proshadetree: We use our O.E filters on our product line. For other stuff, we use Baldwin or Wix.
Ed, you mentioned torn air filter, what's your position on using compressed air to blow out air filters?