You are going to get some air from replacing the filter anyway. Fill the new filter with fuel before you but it on, when you have all the lines,filter back on pump the primer pump about 10-times,start up the tractor and let it run ,you should be good to go
I would say you are on the right track. I had the same problem. I removed the assembly and put in in a vise and still though it may not come off. It nearly destroyed my filter removal tool before it came loose.
Thanks for the comments. I feel more confident now about pulling the fuel filter assembly off the tractor. I'll post a further comment after I complete the task.
Jinma 284, logging winch, post hole digger, pallet forks, backhoe, back blade