Broken exhaust manifold

[DavesTractor]

So they must be seeing this regularly. If a guy has his own welder and can get the OK from the dealer, I'd think it would be fine to give it a quick weld and have it working while they are finding a permanent solution. But don't go that route based on my comments, get dealer approval, take pictures first, etc.

 

[oldpilgrim]

what engine does the emax have? I know the max is a Mitsu, but don't know about the emax series.

 

[Sysop]

Dealer says musa is aware of the muffler problem and I will have to wait for their engineering solution...and no muffler in stock...anyway dealer is 45 min away and 5 acres of grass keeps growing an inch a day. I wired the muffler down securely in two places - 17 ga electric fence wire - and it stays tight at high rpms. Not happy but otherwise I think the emax was engineered well...hit a sweet spot in the subcompact class. I have not patented this broken muffler fix.
View attachment 424609

I would request they order another muffler, new design or not. Either that or make sure they're going to repair any damages from the excess heat escaping the break.

 

[Mikemahindrah]

Gang,
Great News!! I received a call from the Service Manager this AM stating that there was a service Tech. enroute ....I hope your sitting down when you read this....TO MY HOUSE to repair the tractor. I wasnt home so I wasnt here when he worked on it but when I got home I started it up and all seems well!! Couldn't be happier with the the prompt service and courtesy I received. No taking the tractor to the Dealer to make repairs which could have been countless days of not having it. Mahindra ROCKS!!
Mike

 

[DavesTractor]

Sounds like a very good dealer. I bet he went and unbolted one off a new tractor for you. Good for him, that is how you retain customers.

 

[Mikemahindrah]

My thoughts exactly

 

[reevesranch]

I would request they order another muffler, new design or not. Either that or make sure they're going to repair any damages from the excess heat escaping the break.

I did not order the new muffler ASAP and decided to wait for the re-engineered muffler while operating with a wired down temporary fix. Don't do this! - when it came loose enough for heat to escape, and when I saw fumes coming out like dense steam from the fuel cap (somewhat heat-insulated fuel tank is right next to the manifold/muffler break), I decided that death by fire was an untenable risk and welded it back on myself with extra support for the somewhat violent side-to-side vibration that occurs with this engine below, say, 1500 rpm. I get Mahindra corporate as far as quality assurance - engineer a fix that will solve the problem as opposed to quality control with chasing down defects continuously. I will accept the factory fix muffler as a backup replacement - the downward exhaust low outlet is nice in some ways, but I suspect a brush pile will do it in eventually.

 

[DavesTractor]

I hate to admit it, but we had a couple of these fail in the last week or so on customers tractors. A muffler ought to last thousands of hours. On all the new eMax tractors we are retailing, we as a dealer are welding in a brace that we think will keep this from happening. Meanwhile we will wait for Mahindra to engineer a solution. It can't be that complicated. What is interesting is that the eMax is the only rubber mounted engine in the line-up. So the engine shakes and vibrates at certain rpms like a typical small diesel, that shakes the muffler. In the other models, the engines are mounted solidly. The benefit to the rubber mounts is that even though the engine still shakes and vibrates like a typical small diesel, the operator is in theory isolated from some of that vibration. But the muffler isn't. I think a lot of the SCUTS are made this way. I think larger tractors have enough mass to dampen the vibrations so rubber mounts aren't needed.

 

[Mikemahindrah]

Sounds like I should keep an eye on it. I havent used the tractor much lately....only 14 hours on it. Mostly have mowed. So its high RPM for a couple of hours.

 

[reevesranch]

I did not order the new muffler ASAP and decided to wait for the re-engineered muffler while operating with a wired down temporary fix. Don't do this! - when it came loose enough for heat to escape, and when I saw fumes coming out like dense steam from the fuel cap (somewhat heat-insulated fuel tank is right next to the manifold/muffler break), I decided that death by fire was an untenable risk and welded it back on myself with extra support for the somewhat violent side-to-side vibration that occurs with this engine below, say, 1500 rpm. I get Mahindra corporate as far as quality assurance - engineer a fix that will solve the problem as opposed to quality control with chasing down defects continuously. I will accept the factory fix muffler as a backup replacement - the downward exhaust low outlet is nice in some ways, but I suspect a brush pile will do it in eventually.

Word I got from my dealer is that Mahindra has engineered the fix but they have to wait for the EPA to test it, since any change to a tier 4 engine requires retesting. Might be a while. Sounds like most dealers are putting on braces to keep their customers going, but the whole system will be replaced when the fix is available.