A few less decibels out of the Kohler CH-25

[KentT]

I added a $7 aftermarket "tea pot" muffler to the existing tailpipe. See attached picture.

1. Use a Dremel to grind the threads out of the aftermarket muffler

2. Cut about 1" off the existing Kohler tailpipe

3. Using a rubber mallet, gently drive the teapot muffler onto the existing tailpipe.

 

[KentT]

Here's the view with the hood closed. The hood will hold the muffler on, even though it is no longer threaded...

It made a noticeable difference in the noise at full throttle....

 

[J_J]

Good job, what you did was good old sound engineering. This will work on just about any tail pipe. It is a scientific fact that if you reduce the opening that sound has to exit, the intensity and frequency will change. As long as you maintain the cross sectional area, the back pressure should remain the same. You said you tapped the muffler on, if you did not put a clamp around the muffler, it will vibrate loose by the heating and cooling of the parts. What I would do different, would be to cut a slit in the pipe that slides on the tail pipe, and put a clamp around the pipe.

 

[stray]

Can you tell if you lost any power or not after adding the muffler? And is that red (love that color) tool box bolted down?

 

[BobRip]

What do you use the link on the trailer hitch for? Can you hang it on a nail in the garage to save floor space? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Bob Rip

 

[KentT]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( You said you tapped the muffler on, if you did not put a clamp around the muffler, it will vibrate loose by the heating and cooling of the parts. What I would do different, would be to cut a slit in the pipe that slides on the tail pipe, and put a clamp around the pipe. )</font>
JJ, the "teapot" muffler is threaded to screw on to a 1" ID pipe -- they're typically used on black iron pipes. It doesn't have any pipe sticking out to slide onto the existing tailpipe.

I tried threading the existing tailpipe so I could screw it on, but that didn't work -- the metal is too thin, and it just warped instead of threading. Scratching my head, I noticed that the clearance was such that it couldn't come off with the hood closed, even if it wasn't threaded. So, I used a Dremel to cut the threads out, then just gently tapped it on...

The grill mesh in the hood actually bowed a little bit -- it's holding the muffler pretty tight...

 

[KentT]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Can you tell if you lost any power or not after adding the muffler? And is that red (love that color) tool box bolted down? )</font>
I haven't noticed any difference in power... but I haven't done a whole lot of work to strain it since I did this, so I'm not guaranteeing no change -- only that I didn't notice any....

I have two "L" brackets bolted to the hood. Then, the toolbox fastens onto those brackets with two thumbscrews, so it can be removed pretty readily. Or, you can leave it on and the brackets are strong enough to hold it with the hood open. And, the red paint matches my fire extinguisher... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[KentT]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( What do you use the link on the trailer hitch for? Can you hang it on a nail in the garage to save floor space? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Bob Rip )</font>

It just makes it easier to hook up a chain for dragging logs....

 

[toy]

A set of wireless headphones with your favorite tunes playing will help with the loud noise of the engine but after a while you might still be saying what did you say a lot.