Possible danger of tractor side exhaust

[Hilldale Harry]

The 2015 JD 3032 has the exhaust coming out the low right side against the FEL rail also. I very detectable when starting in the garage, but mostly dissipates once outside. I only have 20 hours on it, so will learn more as time goes on. The 2014 still had the vertical, out the hood.

 

[ultrarunner]

My 110 JD has exhaust soot on the loader arm also...

I do notice it from time to time... figured it's just normal and this is why I wear a respirator for any projects...

 

[varmint]

Had my L3400 Kubota working fairly hard going up a long hill in high today, and thought I could smell exhaust, in spite of the outlet being down low and pointed to clear air on the side! Now I am worried! I think I will put a partial elbow on the end, to turn the exhaust stream downwards, as well. It just seems like having a vertical exhaust, right above your head level, on an open station tractor is asking for trouble.

 

[Wagtail]

The 2015 JD 3032 has the exhaust coming out the low right side against the FEL rail also. I very detectable when starting in the garage, but mostly dissipates once outside. I only have 20 hours on it, so will learn more as time goes on. The 2014 still had the vertical, out the hood.

And my '13 JD 4105's exhaust comes out on the left, angled down and 'aimed' behind the left front tyre. As I've stated before, I rarely smell it... even if the wind is calm & I'm in my open faced shed.

 

[arrow]

Had my L3400 Kubota working fairly hard going up a long hill in high today, and thought I could smell exhaust, in spite of the outlet being down low and pointed to clear air on the side! Now I am worried! I think I will put a partial elbow on the end, to turn the exhaust stream downwards, as well. It just seems like having a vertical exhaust, right above your head level, on an open station tractor is asking for trouble.

My old JD had this type of exhaust (vertical). I don't recall near the smell I'm getting with this side exit type. Had fel raised high enough to clear exhaust when logging today. Much better. Never used to travel with fel at this level before so smell was always evident. Throat has been pretty good as I have not been on the tractor for 3 days. Will know more when I hit the sack tonight as I was using the tractor for about 3 hrs. today..

 

[ovrszd]

My old JD had this type of exhaust (vertical). I don't recall near the smell I'm getting with this side exit type. Had fel raised high enough to clear exhaust when logging today. Much better. Never used to travel with fel at this level before so smell was always evident. Throat has been pretty good as I have not been on the tractor for 3 days. Will know more when I hit the sack tonight as I was using the tractor for about 3 hrs. today..

My Brother complained all the time about his Kubota L3240 with low exhaust. I never smelled it. I put as many hours on it as he did. My Brother has COPD and other lung disorders. I have healthy lungs. It's my belief that if the low exhaust was offensive to operators we all would be complaining about it. It's also my belief that we individually have different tolerances to what we breathe.

 

[k0ua]

My Brother complained all the time about his Kubota L3240 with low exhaust. I never smelled it. I put as many hours on it as he did. My Brother has COPD and other lung disorders. I have healthy lungs. It's my belief that if the low exhaust was offensive to operators we all would be complaining about it. It's also my belief that we individually have different tolerances to what we breathe.

I think you have hit the nail on the head here. I personally believe the OP has developed an allergy or sensitivity to the exhaust that others of us would not even notice. As an example when I use a Polyurethane sealer on anything, I need to make sure it is no where near my wife. She has a severe reaction to the smell of it. She cannot breath and must get to fresh air immediately. It doesn't bother me at all. I am very allergic to peanuts and peanut butter. She loves peanut butter. I cannot stand to be near her after she has eaten some peanut butter. This is why so many of us seem to be unaffected by the diesel exhaust, yet some of us are having a real problem with it. I doubt it is "good" for any of us, but when we say we don't notice it much at all, we are telling the truth.

 

[4570Man]

Breathing exhaust might not be good for us, but sure beats a shovel.

 

[cat fever]

I'm going to for the yearly in March. Thing is it clears up after a few days of laying off the tractor. Old Pilgrim has the same tractor and is not bugged as I am which means he may be using his differently or using a different fuel additive or has a less sensitive physiology. I am curious about others not noticing a smell even. I'm wondering if their pipe outlet is set at a different angle. Mine comes out horizontally even to the ground and leaves the tractor about at a 30-40* angle. Exhaust shoots out semi forward as a result and if the boom is low enough, blows against it. Anyone have their outlet directly facing the side and not angulated to the front? I am assuming they did the front angle thing to clear the tire. I guess they didn't care much if the loader to in the way but an appreciable amount of exhaust is dispersed in a shotgun manner as a result, kind of coagulates all around the front of the tractor as seen in the headlight luminescence. Been using the tractor like this for over two years only just discovering the exhaust dispersion (or lack there of) situation couple weeks ago.

Just thinking; have you looked for an exhaust leak? Maybe all the exhaust is not going out the end of the pipe.

 

[jenkinsph]

Just thinking; have you looked for an exhaust leak? Maybe all the exhaust is not going out the end of the pipe.

Very good point, that should be checked out.

 

[jenkinsph]

Just thinking; have you looked for an exhaust leak? Maybe all the exhaust is not going out the end of the pipe.

Very good point, that should be checked out.

 

[npalen]

I have rear exhaust and the only danger is to someone directly behind me, either seated or standing.

 

[arrow]

Very good point, that should be checked out.

Exhaust is sound. If you think about it, exhaust on a vertical stack is shot higher onto the air and above your head and to the side. The side exhaust is just the opposite. Tractor always has the propensity of moving toward the exhaust which is at ground level. I think manufacturers should have maintained the choice they once gave consumers of having either with a mere switch and turn of the mounting plate. These newer tractors seem to have favored style above choice functionality and in my mind and health and welfare of the consumer.
As someone stated, you may not smell it but that does not mean you're not breathing it in. This is the kind of thing that causes a cumulative effect which may go unnoticed for years.

 

[npalen]

These newer tractors seem to have favored style above choice functionality and in my mind and health and welfare of the consumer.
A sad, but true, commentary.

 

[milkman]

I like the vertical exhaust, but took a while to find a muffler that was quiet enough to suit me. Here's an old thread when I changed my exhaust, I now have an oval muffler from a Honda Civic that I'm satisfied with.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/74947-exhaust-mod.html?highlight=

Found a more current picture with the quiet muffler.

 

[Wagtail]

These newer tractors seem to have favored style above choice functionality and in my mind and health and welfare of the consumer.
A sad, but true, commentary.

If I've gleaned anything from this thread it's that a variety of manufacturers, makes and models have different exhaust 'outports' AND angles for "ground" systems.

Initially, I was scratching my head wondering why the OP's FEL/bucket was getting soot all over it, others were reporting soot on their FEL's arm and still others (like me) were reporting nothing.

 

[arrow]

If I've gleaned anything from this thread it's that a variety of manufacturers, makes and models have different exhaust 'outports' AND angles for "ground" systems.

Initially, I was scratching my head wondering why the OP's FEL/bucket was getting soot all over it, others were reporting soot on their FEL's arm and still others (like me) were reporting nothing.

Randy both tractors show nothing on fel? I'd like to know what configuration your exhaust outlet is if you don't mind. For my bottom exit exhaust, I'd need to make a a 45* extension to at least clear the fel. I think that would make a big difference especially at start up.

 

[oldpilgrim]

I did this, not because of fumes but to keep the soot from blowing on my lift arms. This works very well, blows right between the arm and the tire. I haven't driven it to see if it redirects fumes backwards towards the driver. I might have to shorten the new pipe a bit if it appears it might get snagged in the woods.

 

[arrow]

That should about do it Pilgrim. I like the clamp you used. Can you relate to m what size the pipe is to fit the existing one? Thanks.

 

[Wagtail]

Randy both tractors show nothing on fel? I'd like to know what configuration your exhaust outlet is if you don't mind. For my bottom exit exhaust, I'd need to make a a 45* extension to at least clear the fel. I think that would make a big difference especially at start up.

G'day Lou. My 4105 (Yanmar donk) exhaust comes out on the front left, points towards the rear and is 'aimed' down towards the back of the left front tyre.

Somewhat unrelated; my D110 lawn tractor (petrol) exhaust comes out the front right, ahead of the tyre, and there is an almighty blast of blue smoke when I fire it up [choke position]. It settles down once I've brought it up to operating revs. I therefore never start it without the workshop roller-door open & the D110's 'nose' is pointed at that opening.

['donk' is Aussie slang for any engine, derived from 'donkey engine']