Oil & Fuel Anyone use a mask to reduce Diesel fumes?

[mswlogo]

I was on tractor for 5 hours today and I've felt better and I'm sure it the fumes.

Considering how sensitive I am to fumes (paint, gas etc.) it's really not bad.

But I may use a mask next time if I have to do a lot of work.

Does anyone use one and possibly recommend one that is comfortable, and doesn't look quite so geeky.

A friend has a cool mask that blows positive filtered air over your face and nothing actually contacts your face. But it has a clear shield in front.

Thanks.

 

[westcliffe01]

Edit: You don't mention gas or diesel, but most small gas engines emit a ton of hydrocarbons. Diesels normally not unless the air filter is plugged or it is well worn. /close edit

The emissions may be hydrocarbons (which you can smell and filter using an element designed for solvents) or NOx. NOx cannot really be smelt and it is pretty bad stuff. I'm not really sure how you would filter it either. But that leaves the subject of the source. Does your tractor have a stack exhaust ? Or a side exhaust ? Sometimes re-routing the exhaust can be reasonably inexpensive and I am amused that the old Ford 8N's had a low slung exhaust that exited the rear, where it is likely to cause the least issues.

Have you tried low suplhur diesel ? I personally hate the smell of the sulphates which was one of the things that for years gave diesel exhaust its characteristic smell. For hydrocarbons and some of the soot it is possible to retrofit an oxidizing catalytic converter. It makes a really significant difference on engines that otherwise have no form of emission control. Place it as close to the manifold as possible since most engines run relatively cool.

 

[mswlogo]

Edit: You don't mention gas or diesel, but most small gas engines emit a ton of hydrocarbons. Diesels normally not unless the air filter is plugged or it is well worn. /close edit

The emissions may be hydrocarbons (which you can smell and filter using an element designed for solvents) or NOx. NOx cannot really be smelt and it is pretty bad stuff. I'm not really sure how you would filter it either. But that leaves the subject of the source. Does your tractor have a stack exhaust ? Or a side exhaust ? Sometimes re-routing the exhaust can be reasonably inexpensive and I am amused that the old Ford 8N's had a low slung exhaust that exited the rear, where it is likely to cause the least issues.

Have you tried low suplhur diesel ? I personally hate the smell of the sulphates which was one of the things that for years gave diesel exhaust its characteristic smell. For hydrocarbons and some of the soot it is possible to retrofit an oxidizing catalytic converter. It makes a really significant difference on engines that otherwise have no form of emission control. Place it as close to the manifold as possible since most engines run relatively cool.

I normally use the low sulfur stuff but their is still diesel in their from the dealer and I don't know what they put in it.

The exhaust is low, in front and aiming forward and to the side and down a bit.

I really don't want to get into retrofitting it.

I use masks for everything, painting, cleaning furnace and they eliminate everything and I would expect a paint type mask to work. Just looking to see what folks use if any.

See subject for type of fuel.

 

[rScotty]

I was on tractor for 5 hours today and I've felt better and I'm sure it (was) the fumes.
Thanks.

I know how you feel. My Yanmars, JDs, and Masseys all had exhausts that blew the fumes up vertically and away. That drastically cut the fumes and the noise. I like the way this new Kubota TLB runs, but the operator/engine experience is pretty nasty with the exhaust aimed at the front wheel causing fumes and noise to be directed back into the operator's face. The machine has a nice canopy, so there is no reason the exhaust could not be directed up and away.

I wonder why Kubota elected to do what they did? The traditional exhaust position worked well. Their new exhaust not only puts the fumes and noise into the operator's face, but the soot stains the side of the tractor. They used to do it right, and still do on some models. Only reason I can think of is just that they didn't think the problem through very well.

Putting on a mask each time seems like more work than re-routing the exhaust - troublesome though that would be....
rScotty

 

[rScotty]

Seems to me like there is a good opportunity here for some aftermarket company to make a better exhaust. I'd buy one right now....
rScotty

 

[Jon Heron]

Burning biodiesel will make you hungry instead of sick! Only problem is the winter in NH will restrict you to a blend of B20 in winter months if you use it for snow removal...
There are no toxic fumes emitted from clean burning biodiesel...
Jon

 

[have_blue]

Burning biodiesel will make you hungry instead of sick! Only problem is the winter in NH will restrict you to a blend of B20 in winter months if you use it for snow removal...
There are no toxic fumes emitted from clean burning biodiesel...
Jon

I was thinking the same thing.

Smells a lot better, less sulfur. Same amounts of CO, NOx and particulates (mostly soot).

 

[lhansman]

I used to have problems with the fumes from the low mounted exhaust on my B21 and the fumes I would inhale. It was particularly bad if I had to use the backhoe along a building which forced the exhaust outlet to be close to the building.

I welded a piece of flexible exhaust pipe to the factory pipe and routed it up and exited the exhaust just under the side of the canopy. After 3 years and 900 hours I have never had a problem with fumes since.

 

[rdsaustintx]

There are no toxic fumes emitted from clean burning biodiesel...

NONSENSE.

 

[mswlogo]

I used to have problems with the fumes from the low mounted exhaust on my B21 and the fumes I would inhale. It was particularly bad if I had to use the backhoe along a building which forced the exhaust outlet to be close to the building.

I welded a piece of flexible exhaust pipe to the factory pipe and routed it up and exited the exhaust just under the side of the canopy. After 3 years and 900 hours I have never had a problem with fumes since.

Got a pic.