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Can't keep a muffler straight if I had to.

M

Midnight_Gardener

Member
I have been using the same tractor to mow the same pecan orchard for all of my life, and although it still has the original role bar on it, I end up having to replace the muffler about every other year. Facts be the muffler lasts about two or maybe three mowings, then it gets hit by a limb and is bent out of shape. I personally have taken a limb to the face more times than I can remember, but somehow have managed to instill the appropriate reflexes to prevent bodily injury. The muffler unfortunately hasn't learned those yet.

I know I probably should have a cage welded or installed, but I wouldn't know where to start, and those appear to be rather a costly venture. Considered getting a shade top for the roll bar, but this would only save my personal beauty, and not the muffler. I have thought about rerouting the muffler downward, but it became obvious this was unpractical. So, I am open to suggestions. I just can't stand the sight of that crooked muffler any longer.
 
Well, normally, I'd say trim the branches... Since you're in an orchard situation, that isn't as likely to be the path taken I imagine...

That being the case, I'd be looking to build a cage to push the branches up and over. Yes, saving the muffler is important. Yea, I know you've been dodging them for years... Get distracted once, and it might cost you a broken nose, or worse, an eye.

I'm in the process of getting the property I just inherited to the point I can mow without branches being an issue. I hate cutting back the trees quite so much. I too have been dodging some of these for my whole life. Lost a muffler last year. The reality is, the cut back foliage will look just fine in a couple years, and with both eyes in tact, I'll be able to enjoy looking at it all.
 
Drives my wife crazy, but I won't have a tree on the property that I can't mow under with my rider. They're all limbed up to 5 or 6 feet off the ground. Looks fine to me.
 
Here s a thought what about looking at the early orchard type tractors and how they placed the muffler; then adapting yours to a similar
position taking the exhaust back behind you so you don't breath any of the exhaust gasses while driving. Your could also design a perspecks
plexie window shield V shaped for in front of you and just above your head as your sit that would allow any un expected branches to ride up
over and to have clear sight too.
Just some thoughts
Wm,
 
(quoted from post at 05:34:37 06/08/22) I have been using the same tractor to mow the same pecan orchard for all of my life, and although it still has the original role bar on it, I end up having to replace the muffler about every other year. Facts be the muffler lasts about two or maybe three mowings, then it gets hit by a limb and is bent out of shape. I personally have taken a limb to the face more times than I can remember, but somehow have managed to instill the appropriate reflexes to prevent bodily injury. The muffler unfortunately hasn't learned those yet.

I know I probably should have a cage welded or installed, but I wouldn't know where to start, and those appear to be rather a costly venture. Considered getting a shade top for the roll bar, but this would only save my personal beauty, and not the muffler. I have thought about rerouting the muffler downward, but it became obvious this was unpractical. So, I am open to suggestions. I just can't stand the sight of that crooked muffler any longer.
Click to expand...

You dont mention what tractor you have. On some there were options for a vertical or horizontal exhaust. My Ford 3000 came with the horizontal exhaust (goes under the tractor and out the back). I wanted vertical exhaust so I switched over. All the parts cost me 100$ new. And I sold all my horizontal parts to a guy for 50$ so he could change his over.

The point is on some tractors that would be the cheapest way to do it.
 
Gleaner combines had a muffler that set so the exhaust was out to the side would make it only about 8 inches above the hood you could turn it to whatever position you chose to point the fumes away from you. Would not be the tall muffler but would save the bending them.
 
I have a Ford 2810. I looked at the parts section, and it appears they only make vertical mufflers for that model. I know the 8n's had a horizontal exhaust, but I think that was for gas. Diesels are a little different, and may or may not be less picky then gas. I do know that if the exhaust pipe gets too large, there might not be enough back pressure to sustain combustion in gas engines.

I wish there was a tractor sized version of the muffler on my Scag Turf Tiger. Then I could mount it horizontally off to the side, although it still would have to go through the bonnet due to the exhaust manifold.

We don't have a New Holland here in town, but there was one in the next town up. It might behove me to inquire about getting a cage welded, but if I do that, I would also have to inquire about getting the deck of the bushhog fixed.
 


Get and install a canopy. They are not about beauty. They are about the difference between a useful or useless life after sixty. Melanoma is more than spots, cancer often metastasizes and spreads and attacks internal organs. Once you have a good quality canopy installed, the addition of some tubing from the front to the canopy will be straightforward.
 

They sell parts for a horizontal exhaust system for a 2810 on this site. Looks like its the same idea as my Ford 3000, you have to get a new exhaust manifold. Less than 50 bucks from this site.

I just read on another thread that the 2810 can use a similar exhaust system to the 3000. As far as the pipe going from the manifold to the muffler. Google search Ford 2810 horizontal exhaust
 
My Horticulture Professor taught us, you shouldn't talk about religion, politics, or your preference on trimming crape myrtles in public. So, I am going to have to pass on this one. ;)

But, our pecans are old and are upwards of 60 feet, the branch might start twelve feet off the ground, but it will swoop down to meet you eye level. In case you're wondering, yes, I have threaded a limb through the roll bar like the eye of a needle before, and thankfully I slid off the seat and slid down one of the hitch bars before the limb climbed in the seat with me.
 

Perhaps cage to push them up and over gently, and cab to save your face...

Yea, I know... I can't afford a cab tractor, and I can't even fit a ROPS/canopy on my MF135 and still park in the barn... Nothing is simple. That's why I'm trimming.
 
Maybe one like this. Just go by pipe size. Make a bracket to hold it to the hood.
https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/John-Deere-1010_Muffler_R1664.html
John Deere muffler.
 
(quoted from post at 10:55:26 06/08/22) Maybe one like this. Just go by pipe size. Make a bracket to hold it to the hood.
https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/John-Deere-1010_Muffler_R1664.html
John Deere muffler.
Click to expand...
t's worth noting that your link suggests the same muffler for gas and diesel.
 
Must be some pretty chintzy mufflers you're buying. I've been straining tractor mufflers through tree branches for decades and have yet to bend a single one. It's not ideal, but it's necessary.

Now it sounds like what you should be looking into is a "forestry cage." For your purposes it doesn't have to be anything fancy or pretty. It can be homemade if you think commercially available units are too expensive. It can be bolted together out of pieces of steel if you can't weld. Heck you could even make it out of WOOD if that is the material you have experience with. Just ignore all the naysayers that say you're going to kill yourself.
 
(quoted from post at 08:00:49 06/08/22) Replacing the muffler may be cheaper than buying an orchard tractor or a different mower..
Click to expand...

"know that if the exhaust pipe gets too large, there might not be enough back pressure to sustain combustion in gas engines. " :?:
 
I have had the same problem with my 4020, snagging the rain cap on a branch and pulling the muffler off. First time it broke the muffler off at the base, which was better than breaking the manifold. I have rigged a solution that is not perfect, but helps prevent serious damage. The tractor is at the ranch so I don't have a photo, but here's what I did.
1) I got a piece of exhaust pipe, about a foot long, to go above the muffler. One end was expanded so it would slip over the pipe exiting the muffler, but I added some slits to that end so that the fit was not as tight. It has a rain cap flapper on the other end.
2) I got some springs with elongated hook ends. I use McMaster - Carr 96605K26, 3 3/4 long by 0.563 OD springs, part # 96605K26. see D in the attached photo
3) I got a hose clamp, Constant Tension 316 stainless steel bolt clamp for 2 7/16 to 2 3/4 hose or tube, McMaster part # 5276K31. See attached photo. You may need a different size depending on your muffler pipe diameter.
4) A regular hose clamp goes around the pipe exiting the muffler, with 3 springs hooked to it.
5) The hose clamp with built in spring goes around the extension pipe, at the slits, with the springs hooked to it.
6) Now the extension pipe is a lose fit on the muffler, but the springs keep in in place. I get a little exhaust leaking through the slits, but it is minor.
Now if the rain cap gets hooked on a branch, or of a branch hits the extension pipe, there is enough give that it just pushes the extension to the side, or pulls the extension pipe off the muffler, and the springs keep it from falling off completely. If it gets pulled completely off, the springs will stretch and be ruined, but that is better than breaking the muffler or manifold.
This set up is far from perfect, but it has prevented more serious damage as I manage to snag a branch about once a year. I have extra springs on hand so it is a quick fix to get back to work.



cvphoto127762.jpg
 
Let me get this straight- if I run headers or zoomies on my drag car I won't get combustion in the cylinders to go down the track??? Better tell John Force that so he can go faster with mufflers!
 
What???? I wish someone had told me this fifty years ago; Because I used to fire up engines on the engine stand when I assembled them, and
someone else was going to install them at a remote site. Glad I didn't know it wouldn't work???
 
They have the manifolds on Amazon or all state ag parts. If your near Massachusetts I have two manifolds
I can sell or give. I ended up converting two of my Fords.
 
it gets hit by a limb and is bent out of shape, i would be walking the orchard and cutting them limbs off. another option,.. use a piece of flex pipe on the top half of pipe .
 
If you are mowing around trees, I would advise low (horizontal) exhaust. Even if you can't find the factory pieces, it is really not too difficult to design. And as much a ROPS and canopies are great, frankly, around trees, keeping everything low is the best.
cvphoto127773.jpg
 
You are lucky the muffler bends rather than breaking the exhaust manifold.

Any exhaust shop should be able to fabricate a lower muffler mounting for you.

Have you given any thought to a sloped tree guard like was used on some older bulldozers. They had a four post roll cage, a front grill guard and two sloped beams running from the corners of the grill guard to the front corners of the roll cage.
 
I thought that obvious if one were to
look at it. But you are correct to point
it out. I have owned some 1010 crawlers
gas and diesel so knew about this
muffler.
 
This suggestion might be kind of crude, but one I'd consider.

Just put a short 90 degree elbow directly on the manifold pipe and eliminate the muffler. Then wear hearing protection when I mowed. Slip the 90 back off, and muffler back on if doing something else. Which doesn't sound like it, in your case.

Only two or three mowings stretched out over a year or two (the way you make it sound), I think I could deal with no muffler and wearing hearing protection for that.

Sometimes, if it's not going to be for very long (usage), it's just easier to simplify things, even if it complicates things just a tad.
Every day, all summer long doing it this way, now that would be a different story. And something perhaps a person wouldn't want to do (even myself). But only for 2 or 3 times? I'd be game to this way.

P.S. I might just do it to adjutate the neighbors, if that's a concern. LOL. No, I don't have any close enough neighbors, but wouldn't let it concern me if I did. If they complained, they just wouldn't be getting any pecans when it comes time. LOL.
 
1. get a smaller tractor
2. get a shorter muffler
3. plumb the muffler lower,straight forward away from you
4. change out all the tractor wheels to something smaller, run
in a higher gear.

whew, this giving advice is tougher than I thought! snicker Leo
 
Yours must stick out the top. I have the same problem. It's a wonder I haven't broken my manifold. I try to be careful, but sometimes a big limb sneaks up on me. I thought about putting a bar down from my roll bar in front of my muffler. I will wait to break my manifold, or muffler first. Stan
 
Maybe if it is loud enough the trees will move out of the way? I don't see why the neighbors should have to suffer, they did not cause the problem.
 
You being in middle Georgia, there must be a circle track chassis builder or ten near by.
They could bend up some tubing to go from th rops sloping down to the front of tractor somewhere.
They would have fun building you a cage for you tractor vs just another race car chassis.
 
At of risk of getting off topic, the neighbors may not be responsible for my bent muffler, but they are responsible for a lot around here.
 
(quoted from post at 03:34:25 06/08/22)



[b:0e5c7f8731]Melanoma is more than spots, cancer often metastasizes and spreads and attacks internal organs.[/b:0e5c7f8731]

Many cancers spread like that but skin cancer doesn't. It grows in place. I've had some personal experience with it. Still nasty stuff and yes precautions should be taken to avoid sun exposure.

Can't help with the exhaust pipe question, been a long day. I'm exhausted. Gerrit
Click to expand...
 
A part number for a Muffler for you. 71130606 It sets with the muffler flat with the exit out the end. lays flat with your hood and could be turned to any position away from you and not very high. Only 6-8 inches above the hood with a couple inches clearance from the hood if more is needed just ad a piece of pipe between the two.
 
(quoted from post at 18:06:48 06/08/22)
(quoted from post at 03:34:25 06/08/22)



[b:fcfa8cce05]Melanoma is more than spots, cancer often metastasizes and spreads and attacks internal organs.[/b:fcfa8cce05]

Many cancers spread like that but skin cancer doesn't. It grows in place. I've had some personal experience with it. Still nasty stuff and yes precautions should be taken to avoid sun exposure.

Can't help with the exhaust pipe question, been a long day. I'm exhausted. Gerrit
Click to expand...


I looked a little deeper and see that you are correct. I found that it can penetrate into the dermis, and that over 7,000 people will die of it this year.
Click to expand...
 
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