Diesel particulate filter packaging and method of directing airflow in a skid steer machine

A method of operating a skid steer machine, wherein the skid steer machine includes an operator cage supported on a skid steer machine frame, a pair of lift arms pivotably attached to the skid steer machine frame behind the operator cage and extending longitudinally on both sides of the operator cage, and a rear mounted engine compartment supported on the skid steer machine frame and including an internal combustion engine, a diesel particulate filter fluidly connected to the internal combustion engine and positioned between the internal combustion engine and the operator cage, and a cooling package having a predominantly horizontal orientation, wherein the cooling package is at a higher location within the rear mounted engine compartment than the diesel particulate filter, the method including the steps of:

• cooling the rear mounted engine compartment using ambient air pulled around the internal combustion engine and the diesel particulate filter by a blower fan of the cooling package;
• blowing air from the blower fan through a top portion of the rear mounted engine compartment;
• and
• drawing ambient air sequentially through a rear facing grille of the rear mounted engine compartment, across the internal combustion engine, and across the diesel particulate filter before the ambient air is blown through at least one heat exchanger of the cooling package using the blower fan.