loud 8n

[Graham A]

I have a 49' 8n and I'm wondering if there is a way to quiet the tractor down. It was rebuilt before I bought it and has an aftermarket muffler. I'm sure the original muffler wasn't quite as loud. Can I buy a muffler of better quality? Can I fashion a muffler that's quieter? Or should I try and install a vertical muffler and would that even be quieter? Thanks!

 

[old]

Factory type exhaust systems are very simple to find and yes might be a tad bit easier on your ears. This site, has them as does most good farm and home places and or nnalert.

 

[Bruce (VA)]

The muffler & exhaust pipe for an N is one piece & easily available; why anyone would cut the pipe & install an aftermarket muffler is beyond me.

A vertical exhaust is important if you cut a lot of hay. Otherwise, it isn't any quieter, it gets fumes in your face & is a tree limb magnet.

If you plan on replacing the exhaust pipe/muffler, check back because there are a number of useful hints that will make your life easier!
50 Tips

 

[Rednip]

TSC usually has them in stock, under forty bucks.
I posted a message re: the same noise problem a while ago and someone suggested a motorcycle muffler baffle but I was unsuccessful in finding one to fit that inch and half pipe.

 

[NoNewParts]

Graham
$25-$35 will get you the stock underneath exhaust in my area
All the tractor stores stock em here. pretty quiet
Like Bruce said a vertical exhaust will help if you have grass fire danger where you live.
But, a vertical exhaust, even with a muffler will "talk" a bit
more when under load (love that sound!)
If you're handy, you could modify yours with a old car muffler
mounted under the footrest, if you want it real quiet
good luck

 

[Dell (WA)]

Graham.......don't fergitt there are several sources of "noise" on yer tractor that yer Belchfire-V8 quiets down inside with insulation. Such as radiator fan noise; carb inlet noise; exhaust manifold joint leak; and the roundy hollow-core glasspak muffler underneath yer footboard.

Iff'n yer certain its yer exhaust puffin' out the tailpipe, go to bigbox hardware store and gitt some 1-1/4" electrical conduit parts. I got a 1/4-circle direct ground burial "L" and 2-clamps; and 4-ft of conduit. When assembled vertically, it extends yer exhaust pipe above yer head and guess what, you suddenly don't hear yer exhaust just like the big 18-wheelers. Sucha deal, eh? .......Dell, the deaf

 

[Ultradog MN]

Well Graham you must be pretty smart.
For as the old philosopher Baruch Spinoza taught us; "A man's intelligence is inversely proportional to his tolerance to noise".

 

[Bruce (VA)]

If Spinoza is correct, I must be a genius!

 

[Greybeard - PA]

Ninety nine percent of the N exhaust systems carried by most vendors are the one-piece that Bruce mentinoed. N Complete carries a heavier-duty system that comes in two pieces - ships easier, too, for about $36 buckz. I have one on my N and it is noticeably quieter than the thinner one-piece. This is a direct-fit part that requires no modification. JMHO

Good Luck

 

[Bruce (VA)]

" This is a direct-fit part that requires no modification."

That's an accurate statement only if the exhaust pipe is made to OEM specs AND the manifold is also OEM or at OEM spec.

One key step in installing the exhaust pipe is to make sure it mates tightly to the manifold. Otherwise, you need to make it fit. And plenty of folks don't check & then blame the leaks on the clamp.
50 Tips

 

[souNdguy]

Tree limb magnet.. I love that one. when mowing with my 7610s, I have on occasion hit a mamosa ( spelling) tree.. they have long whip like limbs.. and my muffler is situated so that it puts me in 'fireing line' once that limb lets go!!

Here's a pic of my 5000 pulling a hayride a couple years ago.. notice it's 'tree limb magnet' has this neat swept back look to it

soundguy

 

[Graham A]

Thanks everyone for some good ideas. I'll tinker a bit and see what works.

 

[36 Coupe]

Heres what this old man does about tree limbs and exhaust pipes,Take a ride around the edges of hay fields in the spring and trim everthing that can sweep you off the seat when mowing hay.

 

[souNdguy]

slowly but surely everything that sticks out in mowing lanes is getting trimmed.. or broke off!

soundguy