Change exhaust routing on a Massey 245?

[Elkins45]

My MF 245 has a vertical muffler and exhaust but I have seen pix of them with the exhaust routed low under the operator station. How much effort is involved in converting to the low exhaust configuration? Is it just piping and a muffler or does it require a different manifold?

 

[David Devuono]

My Massy 135 had the exhaust underneath and it was terrible. I converted it to verticle. With the exhaust underneight, it kicked up a ton of dust and fumes when using the box blade or backhoe.

 

[grove57]

I don't know about the 245, but some of the earlier Masseys had an elbow bolted to one end of the exhaust manifold and a flat plate bolted to the other end. The elbow and plate could be swapped to run the muffler up or to connect to a downpipe with the muffler tucked up underneath the tractor. I've often thought about this same conversion, as I do a lot of mowing/log-skidding in the woods, and my vertical muffler takes a beating.

 

[PoorPlowboy]

I just converted my 251 to vertical. I got tired of the heat, noise, and dust blowing everywhere. To convert, I had to buy a vertical elbow (OEM cast iron $$$), muffler, and a clamp. I chose the OEM muffler as that's the only one I've found with internal baffles. My 251 is civilized again. I simply have to take it slow under the low hanging branches.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

My MF 245 has a vertical muffler and exhaust but I have seen pix of them with the exhaust routed low under the operator station. How much effort is involved in converting to the low exhaust configuration? Is it just piping and a muffler or does it require a different manifold?

Same manifold...All parts and pieces required to make the change are available @ AGCO/MF dealers.

Personally, I dislike downswept exhaust. (Fire hazard when hayin', smoke in the face when hooking up rear implements, heat near foot with muffler under running board.....)

 

[Carl in CT]

My 202 has the exhaust underneath and I don't like it, have thought of converting to upper exhaust. Mainly, its a real old tractor that leaks stuff everywhere including on the exhaust so it's always smoking a little. That said, mine just died so I'd be happy just to have it running again.

 

[grove57]

After hearing all these complaints, I guess I'll just stick w/ my vertical setups on my MF 85 & 275. I run under a lot of trees and have been worried about busting something off, but in retrospect I haven't broken a muffler or elbow in 35+ years.

 

[Elkins45]

After hearing all these complaints, I guess I'll just stick w/ my vertical setups on my MF 85 & 275. I run under a lot of trees and have been worried about busting something off, but in retrospect I haven't broken a muffler or elbow in 35+ years.

Me too I guess, although I did knock the muffler off my Dad's 243 when a limb I was pushing slipped over the loader and gave it a good whack. The hot exhaust tip landed on the parking brake handle and melted the plastic a little. It just barely missed my butt.

Thanks to all of you for pointing out all the downsides I hadn't considered.

 

[frhunter13]

Wonder if you can at least have the muffler horizontal outside the cowling facing forward with a short vertical pipe and flap - like I had on my defunct Ford 851? My MF 245 is used for hunting trails and plots, so bushes and tree limbs are a real hazard. Was considering a below floorboard routing but I think you guys talked me out of that!

 

[Xfaxman]

My MF 245 has a vertical muffler and exhaust but I have seen pix of them with the exhaust routed low under the operator station. How much effort is involved in converting to the low exhaust configuration? Is it just piping and a muffler or does it require a different manifold?

I converted my 240 many years ago. I had a flange that fit the manifold, so I took it to a muffler shop, they used the muffler and made the exhaust pipe,