Strong tailpipe or weak exhaust manifold?

[tallyho8]

I ran over a tree branch on the ground and it hit the tailpipe on my L4400 and broke the exhaust manifold in half. I don't even have a dent in my muffler or tailpipe.

I'm trying to find out if I have an extremely strong muffler and tailpipe or a very weak cast iron exhaust manifold.

 

[ccsial]

Sorry to hear that. Cast iron can be pretty brittle.

 

[KennyV]

You can braze the cast back together... preHeat to about 400 degrees.
But to answer your question, the steel muffler and pipe will likely take more abuse than the cast iron .

 

[sandyc]

Might check with the dealer to see if there might be a policy adjustment due to defective casting.

 

[flyerdan]

There should have been some hanger brackets that secured the pipe and kept it from getting enough leverage to break the manifold. If it was me, I'd splice in a small chunk of flex pipe after the manifold to prevent it occurring again.

 

[sandyc]

Had a thought (at my advanced age that can be dangerous) Look at a B3350's exhaust and you'll note that there is an additional larger pipe mounted at the front of the exhaust pipe. I believe the intent is to cool the superheated exhaust during regen as well as keep any combustible material (hoses and the like) away from the very hot pipe. It is mounted on the frame. Wonder if something like that would provide protection from the exhaust pipe being torn off your machine by tree limbs. Like I said, just a thought.

 

[Soundguy]

You can braze the cast back together... preHeat to about 400 degrees.
But to answer your question, the steel muffler and pipe will likely take more abuse than the cast iron .

an ear I might repair, or a face I might repair and grind back.. but if it broke in half. I might just replace.

 

[My Hoe]

an ear I might repair, or a face I might repair and grind back.. but if it broke in half. I might just replace.

Not to be the "Captain Obvious" in the room, but do you have KTAC?

If so, seems to me it would qualify as an "accident" under the policy. But then, I don't know the cost of the manifold, vs. the deductible, and I know you're a handy guy, and would install a new manifold yourself, rather than have some (possibly disinterested) dealer do the work.

Best of luck to you!

My Hoe