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straight pipe

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D17 man

07-09-2007 18:55:01




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i want to put a straight pipe on my d17 diesel. yes im 16, and yes i bought the tractor its mine not my dad's. a good friend who's 55 years old and a ag mechanic say it wont hirt anything but my ears. i just wanted to double check




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Bill(Wis)

07-11-2007 16:57:12




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 Re: straight pipe in reply to D17 man, 07-09-2007 18:55:01  
Your post certainly stirred a lot of interest and it's good to see a lot of posts on conservation of hearing. In a quick perusal of Nebraska test data, I see a lot of tractors without a cab that produce decibel levels in the mid nineties ("at operators ear"). This is far too high a noise level to be endured by the human ear for very long without suffering permanent hearing loss. Earplugs, when properly worn, might provide as much as 30db of protection. Usually in the lower freqs. Ear muffs, on their own, will provide about the same, but in the higher freqs. This is assuming a good sound seal. If you have long hair and/or wear eyeglasses with thick bows, forget the sound seal. It ain't there. The muffs provide much better total protection because sound is also transmitted to the human hearing mechanism through the mastoid tissue surrounding the ear. I recommend the use of both plugs and muffs for long days on open-station tractors that are pulling hard.

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RodInNS

07-11-2007 07:15:13




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 Re: straight pipe in reply to D17 man, 07-09-2007 18:55:01  
Do what you like is the simple answer....

For me, I'll put a straight pipe on a turbo engine if the rig has a good cab. Then you don't notice any appreciable difference. I would not under any circumstance put a straight pipe on a naturally aspirated engine on an open station tractor. Even with ear protectors, they're loud.... or my Ford's are anyway.
Of the rigs I have with straight pipes, it was only done to avoid buying very expensive mufflers.... in one case over 1200 bucks for a Cat.
You won't gain any power from a straight pipe in most situations, only more noise, especially on the N/A engines. On turbo engines it doesn't seem to make a world of difference.

Rod

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Don-Wi

07-11-2007 00:21:06




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 Re: straight pipe in reply to D17 man, 07-09-2007 18:55:01  
If you do, forsure use earplugs. I've got a big box of 'em that i got at fastenal, and I wear them everyday, on the tractor, lawn mower, chainsaw, trimmer, work, pretty much anywhere I go or anything I do that may be on the loud side. I'm only 22 but I want to keep my hearing for a long time.
I work with a guy who's only 35 and I have to speak up to him or he can't hear me. We've got an Oliver 1855 that we had to run with a straight pipe for a short while until I could fix the manifold, and I can't say I noticed much difference with it. It was already loud as heck even with a muffler on it. The canopy on it captures some noise too, but it's worth it in the summer to keep the sun off my head.

Donovan from Wisconsin

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wayne2

07-10-2007 18:21:09




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 Re: straight pipe in reply to D17 man, 07-09-2007 18:55:01  
I've done it on six tractors but was in puget sound lots of water!!!!the girls would come in at 4 am ,I was splitting wood next to thier room at 530,simple request for help!!it was thier buts to. LOL Wayne



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super99

07-10-2007 18:11:55




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 Re: straight pipe in reply to D17 man, 07-09-2007 18:55:01  
I'll probably catch he!! for this, but what the heck. Go for it. It's still a free country. I was 16 once a long time ago in another life. I wanted to hear the diesel roar and watch the flames come out the stack at night when pulling hard. Everone is telling you the disadvantages of doing it, I'll tell you all the plus's. Kids music now days is crap, you ain't missing anything. When you don't do what the boss says, you can honestly say, I didn't hear or understand you. If you get married, your wife will drone on continually about things that you could care less about, so just say yes dear or maybe once in a while and she will be happy. If you agree to something she asks for, say you don't remember her asking and that you would never agree to anything like that. If you have kids, you won't have to listen to them whine and cry all the time, and when they are little, they just talk to hear themselves, so you won't be bothered. You can set your cell phone on vibrate so you don't need to hear it ring, the only problem is, no one is there to talk to. It just keeps vibrating and no one is there, must be some darn kid playing with the phone. There is nothing decent to watch on tv, so you won't miss out on any good programs. Time out, the phone is ringing again. Just another one of those prank calls, phone rings and no one is there. I need to get caller id so I can find out who is playing with the phone and tell them to stop bothering me. You will be able to read a good book without anyone interupting you. Yes, I was 16 once and I did it my way, and it didn't hurt me one bit. Hang on, there goes the phone again.
Happy here in my quiet little world, Gotta go, the phone is ringing again. Chris

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BIll(Wis)

07-10-2007 16:33:40




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 Re: straight pipe in reply to D17 man, 07-09-2007 18:55:01  
I read your post down yonder on just runnng it around the buildings with a straight pipe. First thing you should do then, is run it at NIGHT with the straight pipe. That thing will put out a shower of sparks you can't believe with a straight pipe. Not so with a good muffler. That was the main reason we started using a muffler. So, if you have a hay barn somewhere in the picture, don't even go near it! I learned that from the experience of others.

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RayP(MI)

07-10-2007 15:59:51




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 Re: straight pipe in reply to D17 man, 07-09-2007 18:55:01  
Put on a straight pipe? NO, put on a quieter muffler. YA HEAR???? Ask how much you want to spend on a hearing aid, which won't do the job.



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Oldmax

07-10-2007 14:30:48




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 Re: straight pipe in reply to D17 man, 07-09-2007 18:55:01  
Most tractor mufflers are stright tru so you aren't going to gain any thing by taking it off .
with some turbo charged engines you don't need a muffler because the turbo breakes up the noise and all you get is the wine from the turbo and some tomes that can be bad .



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john d

07-10-2007 10:01:58




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 Re: straight pipe in reply to D17 man, 07-09-2007 18:55:01  
You can get hearing loss over time WITH the muffler. Once you discover you've lost part of it, it's too late to get it back.

If you're determined to put a straight pipe on it, get some ear plugs.



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buickanddeere

07-10-2007 08:18:32




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 Re: straight pipe in reply to D17 man, 07-09-2007 18:55:01  
I'm missing 20db in my left ear from tractor driving while square baling hay. My Father said hearing protection was a crazy idea and prevented hearing machinery break downs or the person on the hayrack yelling.



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NEsota

07-10-2007 07:52:00




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 Re: straight pipe in reply to D17 man, 07-09-2007 18:55:01  
Your hearing may be impaired so slightly that many people will not notice there is a problem but at the same time you will miss or misunderstand many messages. Miscommunication can be very costly and yes it is a shame to waste youth on the young.



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Ludwig

07-10-2007 07:20:27




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 Re: straight pipe in reply to D17 man, 07-09-2007 18:55:01  
Your thinking you're going to get more power with the straight pipe right?
Wrong.
You've read to many truck magazines. Todays diesel trucks are restricted in all sorts of ways and opening them up will make them breathe better and have more power. Your tractor is not restricted much at all, opening it up will do nothing other than make it loud.

As an aside those 500hp diesel truck guys, they don't usually like to mention how often they have to put in new transmissions and in 5 years the frame is bent like a pretzel and they can't align the truck so it scrubs off tires every month. They truck manufacturers now are in a bind because the engines are so powerful that everything else becomes a limiting factor. The Allison transmissions are great and tough so now they snap the transfer case or strip out the rear end or twist the frame...

I know you're young and the mags are so cool looking but remember at some point you might want to drive the thing rather than look at it and think how cool you are. A girl on a date with you isn't going to care how cool your truck is for more than 2 minutes and if it breaks down she'll remember that forever.

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02XLT4X4

07-10-2007 07:03:49




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 Re: straight pipe in reply to D17 man, 07-09-2007 18:55:01  
I run a straight pipe on my WD-45 gas at pulls and just putting around at shows. If I am going on it for awhile doing more than idling around I will put the muffler back on. Best of both worlds IMO.



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Mathias NY

07-10-2007 04:52:39




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 Re: straight pipe in reply to D17 man, 07-09-2007 18:55:01  
Muffler or not, wear some hearing protection if you are going to spend time on the tractor.

I think at 27 years old I am a good deal younger than most of the people replying here. I wear ear plugs when operating any of my tractors or other power equipment. When I was in college I did chainsaw work (without earplugs) during the summers. After 2 years of this, my right ear developed a noticable loss of hearing. Eight years later, I can honestly say it hasn't gotten better.

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preacherman

07-10-2007 04:44:22




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 Re: straight pipe in reply to D17 man, 07-09-2007 18:55:01  
Keep the muffler on it. We had a 4020 turbo with a straight pipe, 4630 with straight pipe, and I also ran a D6 Cat for a neighbor with a straight pipe. To top that off I was a firefighter for 20 years, most of that time I ran the truck with the window down while running the siren. Now most of the time I have to be looking at you to hear what someone says to me. I know most of this is my fault, but we live and learn. By the way I'm only 41.

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Bill(Wis)

07-10-2007 03:03:44




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 Re: straight pipe in reply to D17 man, 07-09-2007 18:55:01  
I have no idea what decibel level that thing would put out under load at rated RPM. The tractor with a good muffler will probably put out more than you should be listening to. At the very least, you should use ear plugs PLUS mickey's. But that still assumes you know how to insert the ear plugs and get a good fit with the mickey's. No long hair, eye glass bows, etc. that will break the sound seal. We had an old neighbor who did his plowing with an Oliver Super 88 with a straight pipe. Swore he got more HP out of it that way. You could hear him in the next county. If you do decide to do it, you can be sure someone has done it before and made more noise than a D17 can make so you won't be breaking any records.

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02XLT4X4

07-10-2007 10:05:17




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 Re: straight pipe in reply to Bill(Wis), 07-10-2007 03:03:44  
I think driving without my glasses would be more harmful than anything a straight pipe could do...



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dan hill

07-10-2007 02:09:23




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 Re: straight pipe in reply to D17 man, 07-09-2007 18:55:01  
The straight pipe will ruin your hearing.Constant ringing noises in your ears will be the result.Listen to the older fellows who are telling you not to do it.



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CLW

07-09-2007 21:01:31




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 Re: straight pipe in reply to D17 man, 07-09-2007 18:55:01  
I know you are not hearing what you wanted but what they say is true. While we had mufflers on our tractors there were short times we would use them with the muffler wore out and loud. I went in the Air Force and flew on 4 engine cargo aircraft for 3 years. I am 64 now and have a very hard time understanding my 5 sweet grandchildrens soft voices. I don't hear the doorbell if the TV is on. I can't understand what someone is saying if there is background noise. Only good thing is if my wife gives me an order I can always say "I didn't hear you".

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Unclemerle

07-09-2007 21:18:21




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 Re: straight pipe in reply to CLW, 07-09-2007 21:01:31  
CLW

Same here. Grew up on a farm listening to 50-100 HP tractors with bad mufflers or strait pipes. Then spent 21 years in the Air Force on the flightline and now suffer from CRS (can't hear s%#t) syndrom. Also have tinitis (constant ringing in the ears). The most annoying part is I only hear bits and pieces of a conversation and must rely on reading lips to fill in what I don't hear. I'm only 49 and am not looking forward to the golden years.

Merle

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old

07-09-2007 20:56:36




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 Re: straight pipe in reply to D17 man, 07-09-2007 18:55:01  
Yep will not hurt the engine any BUT it will hurt you. If you do do that make sure it sits high as in when your stting on the tractor its about a foot higher then your head, Why because the fumes and noise will go over your head. But either way your better off haveing a muffler just so when your my age you can hear. BTDT and have motor cycles trucks cars and tractor with out mufflers and believe you will be better off 30-40 years from now if you have a muffler

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NE IA Dave

07-09-2007 20:40:59




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 Re: straight pipe in reply to D17 man, 07-09-2007 18:55:01  
As you read the posts by the older guys, they seem to all have a common message. Skin cancer, hard hearing, shortness of breath --well you get the idea. Most problems in old age can be avoided, and yes it is hard to understand why the old guys give advise as we do. It is very easy to understand at your age why you would give a small child advise to not grab a hot pan off the stove, keep away from the steps, look both ways before crossing..... Well again -- you get the message (WE ALL HOPE) Your hearing is priceless, and we all pretty much ben dare an done dat an would give more than the price of a tee shirt to wish we had not.

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CENTAUR

07-09-2007 20:32:32




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 Re: straight pipe in reply to D17 man, 07-09-2007 18:55:01  
I ran a straight pipe when I was a teenager on one of our tractors, and a MOS#745 in the Army.I also worked in a power plant in operations.Today I am legally deaf but I can still read and hunt and peck this keyboard.Take care of your ears and eyes etc.CENTAUR



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msb

07-09-2007 20:19:32




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 Re: straight pipe in reply to D17 man, 07-09-2007 18:55:01  
I am 68 years old, have driven tractors all my life .All with mufflers except the old Farmall Regular that I drove as a kid.About 3 years ago, I got this constant ringing in my ears. Two of the best ENT doctors in Indianapolis said, sorry, nothing we can do for you. Now I would recommend you go ahead and put the straight pipe on and the first night you climb off that tractor with your ears ringing, listen very carefully, because that is what you will hear 24 hours a day/7 days a week in you later years. It will be the first thing you will hear when you wake up and the last thing you will hear before you go to sleep each and every night for the rest of your life.
Right now, it sounds like I have a couple dozen mosquitos in my ears.Its maddening.

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Mark - IN.

07-09-2007 19:45:16




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 Re: straight pipe in reply to D17 man, 07-09-2007 18:55:01  
Sorry, didn"t hear you. What did you say? The ping, ping, ping of the rain cap on the muffled stack on the smallest gas at a low RPM is music to my ears, but have to shut "er down to hear anyone walk over and talk to me. A straight stack? Is up to you, you"re going to do what you want to anyway, so good luck and take care of them ears. Perfect hearing is 20Hz to 20KHz. I"m missing a good part of that now, and wish I wasn"t.

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Clint Youse Mo

07-09-2007 19:42:02




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 Re: straight pipe in reply to D17 man, 07-09-2007 18:55:01  
It will not hurt anything but your ears I was sixteen not that long ago and had load trucks straight pipe tractors and radios on both that you could hear over the engine noise with now if I do not pay attention to what somebody is saying real close I go WHAT a lot and if there is background noise just forget it. I am not going to preach to ya but speaking from expeirence either put a muffler on it or/ and get some good ear plugs or head phones.

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Chris in MD

07-09-2007 19:19:32




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 Re: straight pipe in reply to D17 man, 07-09-2007 18:55:01  
hey, put that muffler back on or get some ear plugs.

I was born hard-of-hearing, and you should be darned careful with your ears. I hate seeing someone with perfect ears just degrading themselves like drunkards.

And guess what... i'm only 21 and I like my engines quiet.

Maybe i'm the smart one.



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wolfman

07-09-2007 19:15:58




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 Re: straight pipe in reply to D17 man, 07-09-2007 18:55:01  
When I was your age I put a straight pipe on all the tractors; a 45, a 460, an 851, a 230. Now I'm 63 and lay my head down at night and hear 4 noises. (1) a loud ringing; (2)sounds like a diesel engine running at about 1200 rpm; (3)water running like in basement; and (4)a rattle like a dish vibrating on a refrigerator shelf. I've got straight pipes under the workbench, but don't even put one on for the pulling contest. Whatdyasay?

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georgeky

07-09-2007 20:10:26




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 Re: straight pipe in reply to wolfman, 07-09-2007 19:15:58  
Wolfman, I to hear some of those things. I even here bugs of the night in January. I know damn well there ain't no bugs out then.



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ldj

07-10-2007 03:42:11




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 Re: straight pipe in reply to georgeky, 07-09-2007 20:10:26  
I'll bet he hasn't heard a word anyone has said. In his post he's not worried about anything but how it effects that D17. Now, what we should have done was say how bad it is on the d17 and that would have been the end of it.



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D17 man

07-10-2007 07:14:56




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 Re: straight pipe in reply to ldj, 07-10-2007 03:42:11  
yea, i do care about my ears, and if the tractor was straight piped and being used for field work all day the i would definetly use the ears plugs. but this tractor is semi-retired and mostly just gets used around the yard. as soon as theres a long day of work to do with it the mufflers going right back on.



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Mathias NY

07-10-2007 07:54:10




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 Re: straight pipe in reply to D17 man, 07-10-2007 07:14:56  
If thats the case, it sounds like you have things pretty well thought out. Have fun driving it!



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Larry D.

07-10-2007 05:40:34




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 Re: straight pipe in reply to ldj, 07-10-2007 03:42:11  
No use repeating what these Guys have said **DON'T DO IT** Larry KF4LKU



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Ken Macfarlane

07-10-2007 11:20:41




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 Re: straight pipe in reply to Larry D., 07-10-2007 05:40:34  
27 years old, missing highs and mid-tones in one ear, ringing in both at night. From baling and snowmobiles at younger age, both with mufflers.

Whenever you do something loud and your ears ring, you are losing some of it. Those little hairs inside can't grow back I'm told.



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