Muffler Longevity?

Bugs

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Equipment
2005 BX23 FEL-BH-SB
Jul 14, 2011
19
3
3
NH
I will be putting the third muffler on to my BX23 soon. It just falls apart at the bolt flange end.
700+- hours on the machine. Just seem to not be lasting!
 

wp6529

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B7100DT
Oct 31, 2023
150
96
28
TX
Falls apart how? Rusting out? Metal fatigue cracking from vibration? Replaced with OEM or aftermarket?
 

dirtydeed

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I will be putting the third muffler on to my BX23 soon. It just falls apart at the bolt flange end.
700+- hours on the machine. Just seem to not be lasting!
I think I did it twice on mine (same as your machine). But I had it for 12 years. It's the vibrations (especially at idle) that does it. I went thru several air filter brackets too for the same reason. Gave up on them and just used a bungee on the A/F. It was still working well when I traded the machine in.
 

DustyRusty

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2020 BX23S, BX2822 Snowblower, Curtis Deluxe Cab,
Nov 8, 2015
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My OEM muffler failed on my BX22 about 12 years into use, and I replaced it with another OEM unit. The small pipe at the end of the original muffler went bad about 9 years into ownership, and I was able to make a replacement and clamp it onto the stub that was left.
 

Henro

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B2910, BX2200, KX41-2V mini Ex.
May 24, 2019
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Gee...I better consider myself lucky. 20 years so far on my BX2200 and about 1500 hours if I remember correctly. No issues with the muffler so far...hate to say it though...now probably have an issue next time I start it... :oops:
 
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DustyRusty

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2020 BX23S, BX2822 Snowblower, Curtis Deluxe Cab,
Nov 8, 2015
5,257
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Mufflers fail more often when there is low usage since moisture builds up on the inside. My machine didn't get a lot of use causing the muffler to rust out at the bottom. If you use the machine often and get it up to operating temperatures, that will drive out the moisture and your muffler will last longer.
 

dlsmith

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BX2230, LA211
Nov 15, 2018
1,198
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The muffler on my 2005 BX2230 with ~1600 hours still looks pretty good, I just had the bonnet off a couple of weeks ago for an oil change.
 
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lugbolt

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ZG127S-54
Oct 15, 2015
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I sometimes think that some owners are afraid of the throttle lever. The vibration of the little 3 cyl engine at lower speeds is pretty severe, enough to break mufflers for sure.

it needs to run some RPM. 2500+. This also helps keep some moisture that is a normal byproduct of the combustion of diesel, boiled off and expelled.
 
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Trimley

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BX23SLSB-R-1 plus additions
Jul 25, 2023
955
655
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PNW-WA
WTH, now I'll be messing with the muffler, since I read this thread. If the muffler is blowing out at/near the header, the mounts are too rigid. Now that I think about it, the engine has side ears extended off the block, that minimize movement. Any off-cant, the ears bounce off the frame rails. Now it makes sense why.

I wonder if the mount near/after the can, can be changed out for a soft mount for more absorbency?
 

mikester

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M59 TLB
Oct 21, 2017
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www.divergentstuff.ca
The only problem I had on my old SCUT was the vertical stack getting damaged by low overhanging branches. I had to keep cutting it shorter!

Do you store your machine outdoors? I keep mine inside so rust and water haven't been issues.

Never had issues on my horizontally mounted mufflers.
 

fried1765

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Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
Nov 14, 2019
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S
I sometimes think that some owners are afraid of the throttle lever. The vibration of the little 3 cyl engine at lower speeds is pretty severe, enough to break mufflers for sure.

it needs to run some RPM. 2500+. This also helps keep some moisture that is a normal byproduct of the combustion of diesel, boiled off and expelled.
o.
I sometimes think that some owners are afraid of the throttle lever. The vibration of the little 3 cyl engine at lower speeds is pretty severe, enough to break mufflers for sure.

it needs to run some RPM. 2500+. This also helps keep some moisture that is a normal byproduct of the combustion of diesel, boiled off and expelled.
So..ooo....is the 4 cyl engine better?
I have both a Shibaura 4cyl, and Kubota 4cyl.
I have never run either engine at "2500+",
Both have original mufflers, and relatively little vibration.
Does the 4th cylinder make that much difference in smoothness?
 

hagrid

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K1600GTL, ZX-14R
Jun 11, 2018
835
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I sometimes think that some owners are afraid of the throttle lever. The vibration of the little 3 cyl engine at lower speeds is pretty severe, enough to break mufflers for sure.

it needs to run some RPM. 2500+. This also helps keep some moisture that is a normal byproduct of the combustion of diesel, boiled off and expelled.
I think the shutdown event is the most violent.
 
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lmichael

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Kubota G2160
Apr 23, 2021
530
210
43
Rockford IL area
S

o.


So..ooo....is the 4 cyl engine better?
I have both a Shibaura 4cyl, and Kubota 4cyl.
I have never run either engine at "2500+",
Both have original mufflers, and relatively little vibration.
Does the 4th cylinder make that much difference in smoothness?
4 cyl is WAY smoother. Inline 6 is the best. Many years ago I bought a new 300 cu in straight 6 Ford F150 and manual trans. Things was amazingly smooth, quiet and torquey
 
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GreensvilleJay

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BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
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Greensville,Ontario,Canada
curious... according to the parts pages, the BX23D muffler is ONLY held on by 3 bolts but the BX23S muffler has a clamp on the 'outlet' end.

I can see the BX23D muffler failing due to vibration.....so maybe bodge an 'outlet' end clamp ?
 

fried1765

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Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
Nov 14, 2019
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4 cyl is WAY smoother. Inline 6 is the best. Many years ago I bought a new 300 cu in straight 6 Ford F150 and manual trans. Things was amazingly smooth, quiet and torquey
I still have my 1977 F-250 4x4 with the 300 six, and manual transmission....bought new.
I've got a lotta old stuff....including me!
 
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DustyRusty

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2020 BX23S, BX2822 Snowblower, Curtis Deluxe Cab,
Nov 8, 2015
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o.


So..ooo...................
Does the 4th cylinder make that much difference in smoothness?
My standby generator is a Lister Petter 4-cylinder diesel that spins at 1800 RPM. You could stand a nickel on the top of that engine while it is running. My Mercedes diesel wasn't as smooth running. I believe that it is the brand of the engine that also factors into the equation.
 

DustyRusty

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2020 BX23S, BX2822 Snowblower, Curtis Deluxe Cab,
Nov 8, 2015
5,257
3,879
113
North East CT
I still have my 1977 F-250 4x4 with the 300 six, and manual transmission....bought new.
I've got a lotta old stuff....including me!
I still have my 1979 F250 4X4 with a dump body installed. It hasn't been used in more than 20 years, however, last fall I got it out and refreshed the brakes, oil change, battery, and fresh gas, and it ran as well as when I stopped using it 20 years ago. Unfortunately, the clutch didn't fair as well and after a couple hours of use, it gave up and had to be pulled back into its 20-year resting place. If I can find some help I will pull the transmission and transfer case and put a new clutch into it. I stopped using it because the rear cover on the differential got torn loose at the bottom and the gear oil ran out and ruined the rear. It is OK for slow-speed use, and I purchased a replacement 20 years ago but have yet to install it. That also is on the list of future repairs.
 
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chim

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L4240HSTC with FEL, Ford 1210
Jan 19, 2013
1,785
864
113
Near Lancaster, PA, USA
Only one I've needed to replace was on the Ford 1210 (Shibaura) at nearly 40 years and mebbe 1400 hours. Went with a vertical for two reasons:

Original horizontal muffs were almost unobtainable, and the front discharge often made the exhaust head for me on the seat. Some pipe and a Cherry Bomb, a flapper and life is great! Pardon the fickle finger:)
IMG_0073.JPG
 
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fried1765

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Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
Nov 14, 2019
6,715
4,246
113
Eastham, Ma
I still have my 1979 F250 4X4 with a dump body installed. It hasn't been used in more than 20 years, however, last fall I got it out and refreshed the brakes, oil change, battery, and fresh gas, and it ran as well as when I stopped using it 20 years ago. Unfortunately, the clutch didn't fair as well and after a couple hours of use, it gave up and had to be pulled back into its 20-year resting place. If I can find some help I will pull the transmission and transfer case and put a new clutch into it. I stopped using it because the rear cover on the differential got torn loose at the bottom and the gear oil ran out and ruined the rear. It is OK for slow-speed use, and I purchased a replacement 20 years ago but have yet to install it. That also is on the list of future repairs.
I actually "gave" my 77 F-250 4x4 to my oldest son, 20+ years ago.
It has not been driven in more than 5 years, and is parked on top of my blocked up 14K construction trailer, and stored in one of my two barns.

I gave it away.....but I still have it?
That is the case with some other big boy toys too.

Dad gives it to 'em, but then gets to keep (store) it anyway.
I am very glad that I do have the storage space though.
 

fried1765

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Equipment
Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
Nov 14, 2019
6,715
4,246
113
Eastham, Ma
Only one I've needed to replace was on the Ford 1210 (Shibaura) at nearly 40 years and mebbe 1400 hours. Went with a vertical for two reasons:

Original horizontal muffs were almost unobtainable, and the front discharge often made the exhaust head for me on the seat. Some pipe and a Cherry Bomb, a flapper and life is great! Pardon the fickle finger:)
View attachment 116712
The (replacement?) stack on your 1210 is much taller than the OEM stack on my 1920.
I get a lot of fumes back on me, so after seeing what you have, think I will increase the overall stack height on mine.