Exhaust modification

Paul Allwood

Member
Premium Member

Equipment
Kubota B7200HSTD
Jul 8, 2025
41
19
8
Australia
The original muffler had to go as it was in the way of the support frame for the front loader I'm making. I made a new square flange and welded on the exhaust tube.

The thread on the old exhaust mount studs were pretty rusted. Two came out on but the other two broke off so I drilled them out. Drilled out all for threads to replace studs with bolts.

It sounds a little noisier with the new exhaust, but ok.
 

Attachments

  • Like
Reactions: 4 users

North Idaho Wolfman

Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
33,459
8,740
113
Sandpoint, ID
Yea glass packs on a diesel don't work worth a hoot.
Your loader tower supports should have come down in line with the front frame not over top of it. ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Paul Allwood

Member
Premium Member

Equipment
Kubota B7200HSTD
Jul 8, 2025
41
19
8
Australia
Yea glass packs on a diesel don't work worth a hoot.
Your loader tower supports should have come down in line with the front frame not over top of it. ;)
Do you mean the bit in the red circle ? I put the supports where they are to make sure they are clear of the front tyres. I don't remember which way it was, but on full lock and maximum articulation the tyres get close. The support brackets do go right down the back of the front bar as well as across the top - I don't think it will be a problem.
 

Attachments

Last edited:

Paul Allwood

Member
Premium Member

Equipment
Kubota B7200HSTD
Jul 8, 2025
41
19
8
Australia
Do you mean the bit in the red circle ? I put the supports where they are to make sure they are clear of the front tyres. I don't remember which way it was, but on full lock and maximum articulation the tyres get close. The support brackets do go right down the back of the front bar as well as across the top - I don't think it will be a problem.
Here's some shots of the brackets that support the lower end of the tower supports - just tacked in place to the front bar at the moment, ready to be fully welded.
 

Attachments

  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

GeoHorn

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
M4700DT, LA1002FEL, Ferguson5-8B Compactor-Roller, 10KDumpTrailer, RTV-X900
May 18, 2018
6,140
3,445
113
Texas
I would suggest you install a cross-over between the tops of the towers to prevent them from spreading when you use the FEL to shove material around. The crossover can be bolted instead of welded so it can be removed to avoid interference with the hood.
 

North Idaho Wolfman

Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
33,459
8,740
113
Sandpoint, ID
Here's some shots of the brackets that support the lower end of the tower supports - just tacked in place to the front bar at the moment, ready to be fully welded.
That part looks good you, should be fine!

Are you making a subframe and axle bars for the rear?
 

Paul Allwood

Member
Premium Member

Equipment
Kubota B7200HSTD
Jul 8, 2025
41
19
8
Australia
I would suggest you install a cross-over between the tops of the towers to prevent them from spreading when you use the FEL to shove material around. The crossover can be bolted instead of welded so it can be removed to avoid interference with the hood.
Thanks. That's the plan.
 

barts

Active member

Equipment
4wd B5100 w/ FEL, box blade, JD110 TLB, WC68 chipper, log arch, brush mower.
Feb 10, 2015
107
90
28
Lopez Island, WA
The loader on our B5100 is actually one (B219) for a B7200; I built a new subframe to fit the B5100. Tying the towers together would definitely make things a bit sturdier; I re-used the towers from the B219 which were not tied together. I definitely need more clearance at full wheel articulation w/ the front supports; when I finish my shop I'll spend some quality time w/ a grinder. I might be able to snake a support between the towers with enough clearance to be able to open the hood w/o removing the cross brace.


IMG_20150712_125824.jpg


IMG_20150322_181324.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: 4 users

Paul Allwood

Member
Premium Member

Equipment
Kubota B7200HSTD
Jul 8, 2025
41
19
8
Australia
The loader on our B5100 is actually one (B219) for a B7200; I built a new subframe to fit the B5100. Tying the towers together would definitely make things a bit sturdier; I re-used the towers from the B219 which were not tied together. I definitely need more clearance at full wheel articulation w/ the front supports; when I finish my shop I'll spend some quality time w/ a grinder. I might be able to snake a support between the towers with enough clearance to be able to open the hood w/o removing the cross brace.


View attachment 159628

View attachment 159629
I like your sub-frame design. Nicely done. I made mine in several pieces that bolt together - I think yours looks better.
 

GeoHorn

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
M4700DT, LA1002FEL, Ferguson5-8B Compactor-Roller, 10KDumpTrailer, RTV-X900
May 18, 2018
6,140
3,445
113
Texas
That’s very pretty work!

A “bolt-together” would be better from a commercial production standpoint…so it can be shipped …and can be assembled by an ordinary owner. But the welded structure is likely stronger and lighter.
 

Paul Allwood

Member
Premium Member

Equipment
Kubota B7200HSTD
Jul 8, 2025
41
19
8
Australia
That’s very pretty work!

A “bolt-together” would be better from a commercial production standpoint…so it can be shipped …and can be assembled by an ordinary owner. But the welded structure is likely stronger and lighter.
You're probably right about the bolt together being easier for shipping, but with the number, size and class of bolts I've used I don't think I'll have a problem with strength. Part of the reason I made it bolt together was so that I could fit and remove it without removing the mower deck - now that it's done, I don't really think this was necessary. It just seemed like a good idea at the time.

Yours would definitely be lighter - I'll just call my extra weight ballast.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 users

torch

Well-known member

Equipment
B7100HSD, B2789, B2550, B4672, 48" cultivator, homemade FEL and Cab
Jun 10, 2016
2,730
953
113
Muskoka, Ont.
The original muffler had to go as it was in the way of the support frame for the front loader I'm making. I made a new square flange and welded on the exhaust tube.
Boy that tall exhaust looks like a lot of leverage on that small cast flange.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Runs With Scissors

Well-known member

Equipment
L2501 TLB , Grappel, Brush Hog, Box Blade, Ballast box, Forks, Tiller, PH digger
Jan 25, 2023
2,931
3,595
113
Michigan
Lots of talented people on this board.(y)

I like both subframes for different reasons.

I like the welded one for it's "sleek'ness", and I like the bolted one for "future accessibility".

I have no idea which one would be "stronger" though. Not too many things are welded on an aircraft, and they take lots of weird stress's.

Either way, great job! (both of you).


How are/did y'all cut out the parts?
 

Paul Allwood

Member
Premium Member

Equipment
Kubota B7200HSTD
Jul 8, 2025
41
19
8
Australia
Lots of talented people on this board.(y)

I like both subframes for different reasons.

I like the welded one for it's "sleek'ness", and I like the bolted one for "future accessibility".

I have no idea which one would be "stronger" though. Not too many things are welded on an aircraft, and they take lots of weird stress's.

Either way, great job! (both of you).


How are/did y'all cut out the parts?
Thanks. I cut mine with a 9" angle grinder.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

barts

Active member

Equipment
4wd B5100 w/ FEL, box blade, JD110 TLB, WC68 chipper, log arch, brush mower.
Feb 10, 2015
107
90
28
Lopez Island, WA
Lots of talented people on this board.(y)

I like both subframes for different reasons.

I like the welded one for it's "sleek'ness", and I like the bolted one for "future accessibility".

I have no idea which one would be "stronger" though. Not too many things are welded on an aircraft, and they take lots of weird stress's.

Either way, great job! (both of you).


How are/did y'all cut out the parts?
thanks!.... I used a 4"x6" generic metal cutting band saw.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user