Ours get blown out a lot more then I think they should.  I'd bet that yours do too if you aren't specifically certain that it isn't happening when you aren't there.  

Back when I did most of this type of service I essentially never blew one out on a tractor.  Occasionally on a combine.  I recall only once or twice having an indicator pop.  I replaced most annually.   

I'm not really convinced what I was doing was wrong.  

Two things I think should be on every machine are an intake vacuum gauge and a fuel pressure gauge. Both should be between the filter and the engine.  For the cost of one filter change you could have a way to accurately tell if filters really needed service.   A boost pressure gauge and exhaust pyrometer wouldn't be bad to have, also.

The line about the cost of the gauges compared to a filter change is making me wonder why the hell I haven't installed the damn things instead of just wishing they were there.