Changing the engine oil and the oil filter is one of the most basic jobs to do. Wondering where the oil filter is on your machine? It can be in different spots for different models, though. This guide’ll help you find and spot your engine oil filter in no time.

Where Is the Oil Filter Located in the Different Equipment?

An engine oil filter’s exact spot depends on the brand and model, but it’s usually in a pretty predictable place. You’ll almost always find it bolted right to the engine block. Here’s where to look on three common types of heavy equipment, starting with excavators.

Excavator

The oil filter’s usually on the side of the engine, and you can get to it through one of the main service doors on the back or side of the machine’s upper body. Open the biggest access panel to see the engine block, then check the engine side—most often right below the exhaust manifold. You’re looking for a cylindrical canister, mounted either straight up and down or sideways. On a lot of models, it’s painted a specific color (black, blue, white, things like that) and sits right in the middle of the other engine parts.

Wheel Loader

Wheel loaders are just like excavators here—their oil filter’s in the main engine bay, and you get to it by lifting the big hood at the back of the machine. Loader engines are almost always mounted front to back, so the filter’s usually on either the left or right side of the engine block. They put it in an easy spot on purpose, to make regular checks and changes simpler. Just look for that familiar canister shape on the lower half of the engine.

Tractor

For most farm and utility tractors, the oil filter’s on the side of the engine block—just open the engine cowl or side panel to get to it. On some models, it’s down low, right by the oil pan. Make sure you don’t mix it up with the hydraulic or transmission filters, though—those are usually bigger and sit further back on the tractor’s frame, near the rear axle.

Some older or smaller tractors have a canister-style filter—you know, the kind mechanics call a “bullet head with a big cap screw.” For this type, you gotta unscrew the bottom bolt to drop the housing and get to the filter element inside. But most new machines use the simpler spin-on filters instead.

How to Locate the Oil Filter in Your Equipment?

Even if you have a rough idea where the oil filter is, the engine bay’s packed with all kinds of parts. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll find it faster and more easily.

• Safety First: Park the machine on flat ground, lower all attachments down, and set the parking brake. Turn off the engine and let it cool for at least 30 minutes. A hot engine and oil can cause bad burns.
• Check Your Owner’s Manual: The maintenance section has a diagram that shows exactly where the oil filter is, plus the right part number for it.
• Open the Main Engine Panels: Most heavy equipment has big doors or a hood to get to the engine. Open them all the way so you have the best view and room to work.
• Locate the Engine Block: Look at the main parts and find the big metal block that’s the heart of the engine. The oil filter bolts right to this block.
• Look for the Cylindrical Canister: Find the metal canister. It’s usually 3-6 inches (7-15 cm) wide and 4-10 inches (10-25 cm) long. It’s almost always a spin-on filter, and you’ll see a brand name and part number printed on it.

How to Identify the Oil Filter vs Other Filters?

Direction the Oil Flows Through the Filter

A lot of people ask if oil flows from the inside out or the outside in through the filter. And for over 99% of spin-on filters on heavy machines, it’s outside in every time.

This design’s made this way on purpose, and it works really well. Here’s how it goes step by step:

1. The engine’s oil pump pushes dirty, pressurized oil to the filter’s mounting head.
2. The oil goes into the filter canister through the small holes around the edge of the base plate.
3. Oil pressure forces the oil through the pleated filter material. Those pleats have a big outer surface area, and they’re made to catch all the gunk—like metal shavings, soot, and dirt.
4. Once the oil’s clean, it moves through the filter material into the hollow middle of the filter.
5. Last, the clean oil exits through the big threaded hole in the center, and flows back into the engine to lubricate all the important parts.

This outside-in flow is super important. It uses the maximum surface area for filtering, and the metal center tube with holes supports the filter material—stopping it from caving in under the high pressure of the engine’s oil system.

Which Way Do I Turn My Oil Filter to Get It Off?

The rule’s simple and works for just about everything: Righty-Tighty, Lefty-Loosey. To take off the oil filter, you turn it counter-clockwise (to the left). Easy rule, but it can be tough to do in practice. Filters are almost always in tight spots, and they get stuck fast from engine heat cycles and being screwed on too tightly. Here’s how to get it off—different ways:

• By hand: If the filter was put on the right way (hand-tight, plus a quarter turn more), you might be able to twist it off by hand. Always try this first.
• Cap wrench: This is the best tool for the job. It’s a socket-style wrench that fits perfectly over the filter’s end, so you can use a regular ratchet and extension with it. Just make sure you have the right size for your filter.
• Strap wrench: A super versatile tool with a metal band or rubber strap that wraps right around the filter. It gives a great grip and works for all kinds of filter sizes.
• Three-jaw wrench: This universal tool has three prongs that clamp down tighter on the filter as you turn the ratchet. It’s really good for stubborn filters that are hard to reach.
• Screwdriver trick: If nothing else works, you can hammer a long, strong screwdriver all the way through the filter body and use it as a lever to twist it off. Heads up: this is extremely messy, and it can backfire if the filter casing tears. Only do this if you’re ready to clean up a big oil spill and have a new filter on hand to install right away.

Keep Your Engine Running with the Right Parts

Knowing where your oil filter is at is a key part of keeping your engine in good shape. If you can’t find it, check your machine’s owner’s manual or ask a pro mechanic for help. And remember to change the oil filter regularly—it’s how you keep your engine running well and working its best. Pick up the right filter for your machine and brand at MechLink.