3525 Exhaust Conversion

[TexBran3]

Howdy,
I have a 3525 that is a couple of years old. I am going to change the exhaust to come out through the hood. I bought the manifold, gaskets and exhaust stack already. I was wondering if anyone has done this? Any ideas of where to get a muffler? I don't recall the exhaust stack diameter.
I am doing this because an' ol' boy I know caught his hay field on fire last year raking hay. The bottom rear exhaust has got to go!
Thanx,
Rick

 

[xlr82v2]

Tex,

I'm very interested in how your conversion turns out... I don't really like the rear exhaust either... I'd rather have a conventional vertical exhaust.

Would it be possible to use the original muffler? You might have to have the inlet flared so that it can slip over the stub on the manifold... that would be the easiest way to remove the muffler to open the hood.

Keep us posted!!

 

[TexBran3]

Brian,
Thanx for the reply. The origional muffler has brackets welded on it so they would have to be removed before I could use it but it is a possibility. This has become a "winter project" for me so I will get to it soon......I hope. The ol' boy I knew that changed his around just runs a straight pipe but it is too loud for me.
Thanx again,
Rick
TexBran3

 

[Shemp]

I would really like to hear how this turns out for you. My tractor got stuck in the mud and while trying to get it out the "resonator" and some of the exhaust pipe was ripped off. The muffler is still there but after seeing what happening I couldn't understand why in the world it would be designed like it was.

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

Any place you put the exaust piping, it will have some draw backs when doing some type of application.

 

[kc4ee]

Perhaps a look at a 3325 would give you some ideas. Its basically the same tractor with vertical exhaust.

Jim

 

[Etch]

If it weren't for all the mesquite trees I have, I'd probably prefer the hood mounted exhaust stack. The only thing I don't like about the rear exhaust is having to breathe it when adjusting attachments or digging post holes.

 

[xlr82v2]

If it weren't for all the mesquite trees I have, I'd probably prefer the hood mounted exhaust stack. The only thing I don't like about the rear exhaust is having to breathe it when adjusting attachments or digging post holes.

Exactly... hooking up an implement and breathing the fumes is the biggest negative for the rear exhaust... although, I've almost torn mine off clearing brush already too. I got it all straightened out again for the most point, but, I wouldn't have had that problem (either problem) with a vertical exhaust.

 

[TexBran3]

Yes Sir. Having to breathe the exhaust while hooking up implements is another drawback to the rear exhaust. Like I said earlier, an ol' boy I know has already done his and he likes it. His is an older model and had a hole already in his hood covered by a large rubber grommett type deal. The only thing holding me back is having to cut a hole in the hood for the muffler stack and finding the right muffler. Not sure how I want to cut the opening in the hood. Any ideas? I already have the manifold, exhaust stack, bolts and gaskets. Not sure what the Galen means about exhaust pipe problems. Maybe he can expand on that because it looks very straight forward. Change out the exhaust manifold and bolt the exhaust stack on top of the manifold and bring the muffler straight up thru the hood.
Thanx for all the info.
TexBran3

 

[RedRiver]

Not sure what the Galen means about exhaust pipe problems.

I think what he meant is regardless of where the exhaust is placed someone is going to be complaining about it's location. If they are up top they complain about blowing back in your face, if it's out the side of the engine (i.e. 5525) they complain about the possible heat on their right leg, and if it's out the back they complain about it hitting stuff or exhaust in their face.

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

Red,
Thank's, for explaining my reply, I know sometimes I don't get the point across the way I should.

 

[xlr82v2]

Yes Sir. Having to breathe the exhaust while hooking up implements is another drawback to the rear exhaust. Like I said earlier, an ol' boy I know has already done his and he likes it. His is an older model and had a hole already in his hood covered by a large rubber grommett type deal. The only thing holding me back is having to cut a hole in the hood for the muffler stack and finding the right muffler. Not sure how I want to cut the opening in the hood. Any ideas? I already have the manifold, exhaust stack, bolts and gaskets. Not sure what the Galen means about exhaust pipe problems. Maybe he can expand on that because it looks very straight forward. Change out the exhaust manifold and bolt the exhaust stack on top of the manifold and bring the muffler straight up thru the hood.
Thanx for all the info.
TexBran3

Tex,

I think I would use a nibbler to cut the hole... or, a jigsaw would probably work also, but I think the nibbler would be the best and easiest if you have access to one.

You could also see if you could get a 3325 hood, and replace the decals on it . I doubt that they would work any kind of trade deal with you though...

How much did the parts cost you for the conversion, if I can be a little nosy? Are you going to use the stock muffler, or did you decide to go with a different one? And, what is you exhaust stack height going to be? Mine would have to be lower than the ROPS by about 6"... or else it won't fit into my shed.

 

[magyarbacsi]

Diesel fumes don't agree with me either. On my MF, I have vertical exhaust and I seldom smell the fumes. For one, it is above head level and as there is always some light breeze, it blows it away. The only problem I've had is when I mow around low hanging branches and the muffler catches a branch. Springs it back and when it lets go, bam, in the face. I've lost a few hats and ear protectors to the brush hog this way. Since then I've trimmed the branches. If the branch is big enough, you risk bending or even breaking the muffler off. Been there.

What I'm going to try is using a short piece of the flex pipe, sold at car parts stores, that are stiff but can bend in any direction when sufficient force is applied.. Mount the desired length to the manifold then place the muffler on that. This way it will remain upright until met with opposition. If it bends, you can re adjust it.

Regarding mufflers, I don't think that a certain back pressure is needed with diesels as with two cycle gas engines. When I lost my muffler on my MF due to wear, I used a similar sized round, cylindrical shape muffler from an auto parts store and has worked well so far. Over two years now. Any diesel techs shed any light if back pressure is needed or special design for diesels required for the muffler?

 

[xlr82v2]

magyarbacsi,

I don't know how the flex pipe will work in the long run... after being bent a few times, it usually becomes quite easy to flex it... and I'm thinking after about 1 hour or so of running and holding the weight of the muffler against movement of the tractor and engine vibration and exhaust heat, it might pretty much "go limp". But, if you have some on hand, it may be worth a shot. On the other hand, you usually have to snag the muffler pretty hard with a limb or whatnot to bend it...

Anyway, I'm much more concerned about catching something on the precleaner than I ever would be about catching it on the muffler... A vertical muffler would give a little "protection" to the more vulnerable precleaner.

It sure would be nice if Mahindra made the exhaust style an option...

I'm by no means a tech, but as far as backpressure, I've always heard that backpressure reduces horsepower in a diesel... and the first step in increasing diesel performance is to reduce the backpressure in the exhaust.

 

[Jarrett]

TexBran3, have you done this conversion yet? Would you be interested in selling the stock exhaust silencer & pipe? A friend of mine just tore his off this weekend and is looking to get another.

 

[Sergei]

You might check with a rental store for a round knockout punch to make your hole, they come in different sizes from 3/4 to 4 1/2" and it will make a nice clean hole.

 

[indiana]

Hi,
I have a 6500 with 4-1 fel and have found that the hot exhaust fumes blacken the loader arms and have melted the electrical conduit to open bucket when it is raised (slashing in the dark with loader raised - too lazy to take off bucket at the time).
Mahindra Australia suggest cutting exhaust pipe straight and adding raincap flap - not sure about going ahead as I reckon on consuming fumes.

Also there's slight leaking in the hydraulic bank connections on the loader arms adjacent to the exhaust muffler - myself and the dealer have tightened joints.

Are the US models like this?

Would appreciate any suggestions.
Cheers
indi
6500
FEL 4-1

 

[bindian]

Hi,
I have a 6500 with 4-1 fel and have found that the hot exhaust fumes blacken the loader arms and have melted the electrical conduit to open bucket when it is raised (slashing in the dark with loader raised - too lazy to take off bucket at the time).
Mahindra Australia suggest cutting exhaust pipe straight and adding raincap flap - not sure about going ahead as I reckon on consuming fumes.

Also there's slight leaking in the hydraulic bank connections on the loader arms adjacent to the exhaust muffler - myself and the dealer have tightened joints.

Are the US models like this?

Would appreciate any suggestions.
Cheers
indi
6500
FEL 4-1

Indi,
My 6520 has the exhaust stack blowing on the loader arm at the full height position. I need to turn the stack about 45 degrees. MahindraUSA's tech person told me to just cut the dog ear off and turn the stack around to blow behind the loader arm when raised. But the dog ear is on the cast muffler. Instead I will take my stack off and to work (were all my pneumatic tools are) and cut another knotch for the muffler dog ear to engage on the stack. The stack is high enough where I don't get exhaust fumes in my face and low enough that the canopy will hit climbs before it does.
hugs, Brandi

 

[xlr82v2]

TexBran 3,

Just wondering if you ever completed your exhaust conversion???

I tore my "resonator"-"spark arrestor" off again, and I'm about fed up with it.

How much did your conversion cost, and could you post some pix of it? How did you end up cutting the hole in the hood?

Thanks!