Filter Cross-Reference Lookup

Look up heavy-duty filter part numbers against the Precise Filters cross-reference database (free, public, no auth or API key). The same data is browsable at the cross-reference lookup page.

How to look up a number

1. Extract the part number(s) from the user's request. You MUST drop the brand word ("Donaldson", "Fleetguard", ...) — the server cannot separate brand from number, so send only the number itself.

2. Separators inside the number are tolerated in both directions: case, spaces, dashes, underscores, dots, and slashes are normalized server-side ("P 777868", "P-777868", "P777868", "32007701" and "320/07701" all resolve to the same record).

3. URL-encode the number in the path. This matters most for slashes — JCB/CASE-style numbers like 320/07701 MUST be encoded as 320%2F07701 or the URL will have an extra path segment and return a routing 404.

4. Call the API once per number:

   curl -s "https://www.precise-filters.com/api/cross-reference/{NUMBER}"
   

   Examples: curl -s "https://www.precise-filters.com/api/cross-reference/P777868" curl -s "https://www.precise-filters.com/api/cross-reference/320%2F07701"

5. Interpret the JSON response by HTTP status: 200 = match, 404 = no match, 400 = bad input (missing or >64 chars), 500 = transient server error (body { "error": "..." } — retry once after a few seconds, then tell the user the lookup service is temporarily unavailable; do NOT present a 500 as "number not found").

Response — match found (HTTP 200)

{
  "query": "P777868",
  "matched": true,
  "brand": "Donaldson",             // reference brand of the queried number*
  "partNumber": "P777868",           // canonical spelling
  "variants": ["P777868"],           // other spellings of the same number
  "equivalents": [
    {
      "partNumber": "15270188",      // the equivalent (replacement) part
      "name": "Truck Air Filter 15270188 for TEREX",
      "category": "Air Filter - Engine",
      "moq": 100,                    // minimum order quantity, pieces
      "deliveryTime": "15",          // days; field absent when unknown
      "specs": [{ "parameter": "Dimensions", "value": "OD: 313mm; ..." }],
      "crossReferences": [{ "brand": "Ag-Chem", "partNumber": "122230" }],
      "applications": ["Truck"],
      "productUrl": "https://www.precise-filters.com/en/products/...",
      "imageUrl": "https://..."      // field absent when no photo
    }
  ],
  "lookupUrl": "https://www.precise-filters.com/en/cross-reference/p777868",
  "inquiryUrl": "https://www.precise-filters.com/en/contact",
  "source": "https://www.precise-filters.com"
}

Notes on the 200 shape:

• specs is capped at 8 entries and crossReferences at 20 — treat both as "key data", never claim they are exhaustive. The full lists live on productUrl / lookupUrl.
• *If the user queries a Precise catalog number (not an OEM number), brand is "Precise" and the match is Precise's own product — do not present "Precise" as the OEM brand being crossed in that case.
• Field values are English where translations exist; part numbers are language-neutral.

Response — no match (HTTP 404)

{
  "query": "...",
  "matched": false,
  "message": "No cross reference found ...",
  "searchUrl": "https://www.precise-filters.com/en/cross-reference",
  "contactUrl": "https://www.precise-filters.com/en/contact",
  "source": "https://www.precise-filters.com"
}

How to present the result

• Lead with the direct answer: which part(s) replace the queried number. Name the equivalent's part number, product name, and filter category.
• Show the key specs (dimensions first) so the user can verify fitment.
• List a handful of the other cross-reference numbers (same filter under other brands) — useful when the user's preferred brand differs. Don't dump all of them unless asked.
• Always link productUrl (full specs and photos) and mention lookupUrl as the shareable cross-reference page.
• If the user asked about several numbers, call the API for each and present a compact table: queried number → equivalent → category → product link.
• On a 404, say the number isn't in the public database yet and offer the two links: searchUrl to browse by brand, and contactUrl where a free manual verification can be requested.

Caveats

• Always tell the user to verify dimensions, sealing, and thread against their machine before ordering — visually similar filters can differ in flow direction or mounting.
• Brand names in results identify the replacement reference only; the equivalents are Precise-brand replacement parts, not genuine OEM parts.
• Translate your summary to the user's language, but keep part numbers verbatim.

Links

• Website: www.precise-filters.com
• Browse cross references by brand: cross-reference lookup
• Product catalog: heavy-duty filters
• Free manual verification for unlisted numbers: contact page