Put a vertical exhaust stack on my CUT

SmallChange · Sep 16, 2022

When I got my new New Holland WM25, most things were way better than the old used Kubota B6200. But one thing that wasn't was the exhaust, which was low and forward so I'm often driving through my smoke. I don't get why this is supposed to be ok -- and anyhow I have chronic bronchitis and can't tolerate it well.

So I finally finished the modification pictured here. I chopped the existing exhaust pipe about a foot or so after the muffler, mounted a vertical exhaust pipe, and joined these together with a length of flexible exhaust pipe. The mount parts are 1/2" by 2", and 3/8" by 3", mild steel from McMaster. I did get a shop to do the weld, but the cutting and drilling I did at home. The assembly clamps onto the very solid upright of my FEL mount, very firmly (I used four 1/2" Grade 8 bolts torqued to spec). I didn't cut or drill anything on the tractor, other than shortening the existing exhaust pipe. Loader and hood operate normally.

kthompson · Sep 17, 2022

Looks good. I think they use the down towards the front exhaust for couple maybe three reasons: cleaner view of front-end loader, clearance for those who need to fold roll over bar say for shed and really just height clearance such as for shed. So will stick with a couple of reason

jyoutz · Sep 17, 2022

I used to be bothered by diesel fumes when using my old tractor. I can’t smell anything on my new tractor with tier 4 DPF.

oldnslo · Sep 17, 2022

I also believe tilt up hoods benefit from horizontal exhaust.

Gordon Gould · Sep 18, 2022

SmallChange said:
When I got my new New Holland WM25, most things were way better than the old used Kubota B6200. But one thing that wasn't was the exhaust, which was low and forward so I'm often driving through my smoke. I don't get why this is supposed to be ok -- and anyhow I have chronic bronchitis and can't tolerate it well.

So I finally finished the modification pictured here. I chopped the existing exhaust pipe about a foot or so after the muffler, mounted a vertical exhaust pipe, and joined these together with a length of flexible exhaust pipe. The mount parts are 1/2" by 2", and 3/8" by 3", mild steel from McMaster. I did get a shop to do the weld, but the cutting and drilling I did at home. The assembly clamps onto the very solid upright of my FEL mount, very firmly (I used four 1/2" Grade 8 bolts torqued to spec). I didn't cut or drill anything on the tractor, other than shortening the existing exhaust pipe. Loader and hood operate normally.

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Looks very good. I wonder about the same things you did. My M5640 with it's external EGR valve is kinda smoky at times. What kthompson and oldnslo say makes sense though.

gg

Richard · Sep 18, 2022

Looks great. My JCB has a vertical exhaust. I might hit a low hanging branch from time to time (have learned to try to dodge them) Bent my exhaust. Yours looks pretty tall. I get that if your canopy won't go under a branch, your pipe won't so you should already be aware of that situation....

What I might find attractive (from a functional point of view) is rather than route it vertical, maybe run it out the back or some other way of not having it being first in line to hit something.

I've banged my exhaust so much, I had to take it off, beat the inlet side back into shape.... it won't snug down like " new" so I simply leave it loose so now, I can remove it with 2-hands and NOT have to unbolt anything. Basically it's held in place by gravity and is otherwise, free to wiggle a bit. It's still pretty snug so don't envision it doing gymnastics on my hood....but if I hit a branch, it will simply push backwards instead of being bent or bending something else. I can then push it back in place.

Been working for me like this for 20 years now. I would STILL love to get it out of my line of site and/or plumb it back to the 'A' pillar of the cab and maybe use the pillar as a support.

ruffdog · Sep 18, 2022

Is the smoke visible after it is at full operating temperature? If it is, there may be an issue that should be addressed first.

SmallChange · Sep 18, 2022

This pipe is going to hit a low branch first, but it's not quite as high as the canopy. I can see the top of the pipe while operating. In fact, I might put a wire on the top, like a curb feeler, to test whether the canopy will fit.

I hope that the pipe, which is ordinary Walker brand exhaust tubing, will bend before it damages anything else. It should buckle at the top of the bracket. It's easy to replace the pipe, and I have a spare one which is a little dinged up from the mocked-up version I put together first to test it all out.

My smoke is generally not visible except when first starting up, and even then it's not very visible. It's been the same since I first got the tractor, brand new.

EddieWalker · Sep 18, 2022

My 37hp tractor had the exhaust under the engine and facing the ground. If I wasn't breathing diesel, it was blowing dust up into the air to breath. I bent the pipe so it exited to the side, which solved my issues.

Cycledude · Sep 18, 2022

Very Nice job on the conversion ! For me the only time the front exhaust bothers is when I first start the tractor and have to walk in front of it to open the two sliding garage doors. But my tractor is equipped with a factory cab and fortunately don’t suffer with bronchitis.