Quieter Muffler for D17 IV

Last year when I picked up our D17 IV gas, I bought a new muffler for it off EBay.  I forget what brand it was, but they sold them as "A&I" or something.  Anyway, as I've gotten the tractor in better shape and am using it longer hours, I realize the muffler is really loud, and with poor sound.  It has a high pitched, raspy tinny sound to it that is really unpleasant after more than a few hours of use. 

Are there better quality mufflers out there that don't make the 17 sound like a chain saw?  I was thinking about taking the dimensions down to NAPA and seeing if I could match it up with a truck muffler or something.  I don't want it to sound like a Lincoln Continental or anything - or if I do then I'll want a chauffeur to do the brush hogging.  But something a little quieter would be welcome.

Thanks.

That is probably a Stanley muffler that you have - A&I sells them (and most everyone else).  They are known for their terrible, tinny sound - I have one on my D17 IV as well.  Nelson mufflers originally came with the tractors, but trying to find a new one will be rather difficult, but if you do find one it will cost you plenty.

What is the "Walker" cross-over model and what does it look like?  I too have a D17 IV that I want to replace the muffler on and don't want to be stuck with a bad muffler.

OK, Off phone with Walker, They have one which is close [ dimension wise] but not a homerun. It would require a "rebuild" to make it look like original or [ if you don't care, it could be used as-is]. They are around $200-. From what I have heard they have a nice sound similar to Nelson. There are 4 of them sitting in VA now. Anyone interested let me know, [ just trying to help ]..........

Edited by Chris/CT - 30 Jul 2012 at 1:46pm

I do not know much about mufflers, these are Tractor/Commercial models that Walker offers. Can anyone verify if Fleetguard stop making mufflers?? They bought Nelson, and my commercial truck guy [ who originally could get Nelsons] said the number is coming up as "zero'" sooo, that means NLA, he thinks Fleetguard just stopped making mufflers altogether. 

Edited by Chris/CT - 30 Jul 2012 at 2:05pm

Turbo type mufflers that have good build quality will not have a "tingy" sound to them, they will flow well and won't cause turbulence in the chambers, (that is what makes the tingy sound, it gets trapped  in the body and bounces around) and almost always, the longer the body, the quiter the sound, just look at Flowmasters Hushpower mufflers.

What brand is the muffler from Yesterday's?? I did not see any Ovals offered at the Nelson Global website.

jlogli wrote: Part NO: 70246129  Muffer, 42001 and up.   Yesterday's tractor co. Does that muffler have "Stanley" stamped on the side of it???

I did some looking last night. I don't think Nelson has a stock muffler comparable to the Series IV. I did find the WD45 muffler. (05388T) and another for the 7000 series. (18202T) 

Chris,

Sorry I didn't get back to you, and thanks to you and all the other replies for helping.  I don't have the SN handy, but it is a Series IV gas, and the same as a 170 gas.  I measured the current Stanley muffler, and the oval is 4" X 8 1/2", with probably an 1/8-1/4" clearance to the hood cutout all around.  Stanley lists the input pipe of the muffler at 1 15/16", but I'm sure any 2" inlet would clamp down over the stub on the manifold.

I stopped by our local NAPA, and then another old-style auto store that will take the time to look up parts in a book without an application.  The closest we came was a 18102, which is 4 1/4" X 8 13/16", with a 2" inlet in the center.  They also show an 18101 I think it was, that has a slightly longer body.  I need to measure the hood cutout tonight more accurately, as I think is going to be not quite big enough to accept the 8 13/16" dimension with the lip on the crimps of the muffler. 

I also saw in his books that the next size down in an oval was something like 3 3/4" X 7 3/4",with a 1 3/4" inlet.  I forgot to write down the part number. 

I'm going to keep looking at the automotive applications, as it is such as simple setup.  All it needs is for the oval to fit the hood opening.  I think an automotive muffler with a simple extension on top and painted black would like fine, and it sure couldn't sound worse than the Stanley thing on it now.  Plus, the price at NAPA was around $50, although if anyone found a perfect fitting similar muffler $100 or so wouldn't be too much.  I checked the Nelson websites and such, and couldn't find an application to fit. 

Whoever finds the right crossover part number, I'll bet there'll be a bunch of D17 IV/170 owners will to buy them. 

I have the oval of the muffler [stock] at about 4.5" X 9" long. The body in height is aprx 161/2" long. 2" inlet at about 5-6". 

Chris and NC Bruce,

It looks like the 4.5" X 9" oval size is very common, and I found a bunch of ones now on Advance Auto and sites like that, with 2" center inlet and basically any body length one wants.  I've found them as cheap as $24 some places.  So this seems to be the route to go.  I could also probably hit our local Cole Muffler shop and find one there. 

Chris, are you selling the Walker ones?  I didn't know you were a vendor, and I certainly would rather have the money going to someone on this site than a stranger.  The Walker is probably much better quality, but $150 is quite a bit more than I'm finding even the NAPA ones at for $40.  I am going to poke around one more time to try to find a "performance" muffler with supposedly better flow through.  With some hi temp black paint and an extension on the outlet, except for the crimped ends, I think it will look pretty good.

Byron, you might take your WC Muffler to a local custom muffler shop that can cut, stretch and modify exhaust systems.  They could probably find and fit one for you, and advise which one would be the quietest too.

I'll keep you posted on the Walker tractor muffler I ordered. I'm giving it a try off the shelf, more concerned with looks, the sound/performance will be great. Yes, pricey up front but, will last longer than 2-3 stanley's over time. Sounds like a good muffler will set you back $150 and up. Will post pic when it mounted.

Nathan,

Yes it does have a flat top and the crimped seam, so the top will hold water.  I plugged the pinhole with a stainless screw before painting it, so no water will leak down if I leave it outside.  Unless I have to, I don't store any of the tractors outside, but even so, it won't get any water down.  Plus, since it isn't a straight through design, I don't think any small amount of water would find its way down to the manifold.

It's not a perfect solution, but for $40, it sounds great and is a perfect fit into the oval of the hood cutout, and it's a heck of a lot better than the Stanley I took off.