Exhaust soot on fel bucket - problem solved

kubotabilly · Apr 3, 2005

After about 10 hrs. of seat time on my 3430 I noticed the left side of the fel bucket all sooted up /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif. If left on for a period of time it becomes hard to clean off and if you do get it off it discolors the paint /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif. I went to the local auto parts store and purchased a chrome tailpiece extension and redirected the exhaust and cured the problem /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

Bill

tinytractors · Apr 3, 2005

Love that chrome piece... Thanks for the tip... I run my L3430 with pallet forks on most of the time and hadn't noticed the position of the exhaust. Directing it downward must reduce some of the noise to the operator too.

Pete

kubotabilly · Apr 3, 2005

tinytractors,
I have a cab on my L3430 so the noise isn't a factor. The only thing that I noticed was if your working in dry conditions, ie making lawns or perhaps dirt roads it does throw up the dust if you standing still or moving really slow. The way it was directed from the factory it did the same thing in dusty conditions. At least now it's not messing up the bucket /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif.

Bill

KiotiJohn · Apr 3, 2005

That looks like a good fix.
I've found Goop and other similar hand cleaners a good way to get the soot off without damaging the paint so much. John

texbaylea · Apr 4, 2005

I have been thinking about doing something similar on my L3130. The steering guard is getting all sooty. Looks good too. Haven't noticed soot on the bucket though.

Vernon

kubotabilly · Apr 4, 2005

Vernon,
This virtually eliminated all of the sooting problems on the front of the tractor /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bill

kenneyz · Apr 4, 2005

Yep..looks good, But why didn't you opt for one of those 8" dia. pipes the youngsters are puttin on their rice rockets /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
PS....I want a weekly pic posted of that chrome spankin clean! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

kubotabilly · Apr 4, 2005

kenneyz,

I was thinking 6" stacks on each side of the cab throwing that diesel soot high in the air /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Bill

ksmmoto · Apr 5, 2005

Another great idea kubotabilly. My 3430 is getting sooted bad. I just washed it, but didn't get it all off since I thought it will just get dirty again anyway. I will get my tip tomorrow and then clean it well.

ksmmoto

Deerlope · Apr 5, 2005

I complained to my dealer many times about that same problem, but he had no answer for me. I don't have a cab and sometimes if the wind it just right I will get diesel fumes up my nose not often but a little goes a long ways. I like your idea and will try to do the same.

JDGREEN4ME · Apr 5, 2005

Did you add the "D Ring" or is it stock?

kubotabilly · Apr 5, 2005

ksmmoto,
I pointed mine toward the center somewhat and down. Like I said before, it seems to be working just fine at 70+ hrs. on the ole' L3430HSTC. After you put it on, start the tractor and feel with your hand the direction of the exhaust. Then make final adjustments to get it going in the right direction.

Bill

kubotabilly · Apr 5, 2005

JDGREEN4ME,
Those D-rings are my idea. Their rated at 11,000 lbs. and are fastened with grade 8 bolts, nuts and washers. I didn't have to drill anything on the frame the factory holes matched up perfectly. It sure saves the paint when your chaining it down /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif.

Bill

Big_Lug · Apr 7, 2005

I had the saame problem, so I had some old pipe from a trampoline and found a piece that had the right curve to it and cut it with my cutoff saw and welded it on with the mig welder. Works really nice and is just the right size.

kubotabilly · Apr 7, 2005

Big_Lug,
At first, I was going to do the same thing but I couldn't find any pipe the same size as the exhaust.

Bill

Kub0ta · Apr 8, 2005

No offence to anyone, but who cares about soot on a front end loader arm? Its a tractor, its meant to be used, its not a classic car or anything. If you deceide to trade it in, they wont look at the soot and take off points.

HomeBrew2 · Apr 9, 2005

10-4 !!!
Cheers!!!!!!

kubotabilly · Apr 9, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( No offence to anyone, but who cares about soot on a front end loader arm? Its a tractor, its meant to be used, its not a classic car or anything. If you deceide to trade it in, they wont look at the soot and take off points. )</font>

Kub0ta,
This is why we live in America. Freedom of speech. Freedom to do what we want with what we buy. I guarantee you I use my tractors as much as the next person and 5 years from now when I sell or trade it, I'll get more for mine because it was well taken care of and wasn't all sooted up, faded and rusted. My father taught me the value of a dollar and I believe one should take care of something he or she spent their hard earned money on. When I spend $25,000 on a tractor, trust me, It WILL be cared for.

Bill

Theowegian · Apr 10, 2005

I think you're being a little rough on kubotabilly. I thought he had a cool idea.
Each to his own, but when a buyer comes to buy a used kubota, he'll probably take kubotabilly's before he buys yours.
...no offence. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
dwight