Allergic to my tractor?

[vicar]

I have been lurking on this great board since last summer, though this is my first post. Partly based on what I read here, I bought a BX24 in August and love it. I have about 85 hours on it so far, mostly backhoe pulling stumps, trenching, grading a new small pasture for my wife's sheep and recently snow removal with FEL and backblade. One problem: I have had sinus problems since last summer (for the first time in my 50+ years) and I have finally made/ admitted the connection that I am allergic to the diesel exhaust. I can get my sinuses reasonably cleared up, and then a couple of hours of seat time and I sound like I have a marble stuck in my nose.

I use ULSD Diesel from the pump, and have even tried changing brands to see if any burn cleaner. I think that has made some slight improvement, but there is still a problem. I have about 100 hours of projects lined up once winter is past so I need some help here. I can't imagine having to get rid of this toy--I mean tool--now that I have seen what it can do, but I can't imagine walking around with sinus problems, living on Nasonex for the rest of my life either.

I remember someone posting about adding an exhaust pipe to the rear, but I don't see how that would help me since so much of my use is with the backhoe. (Why did they place the exhaust pipe so it blows right in the driver's face anyway???) I see an additive advertised in TSC catalog that promises cleaner burning and less pollutants, but is that any different than what i am using now to prevent gelling? Any help greatly appreciated.

 

[Mith]

Air conditioned cab with filter?

 

[Skyco]

I'm puzzled- I'm very sensitive to a wide variety of airborne irritants and my BX24 doesn't bother me at all. I don't even smell it when running and I would for sure if there was any exhaust to smell.
You mentioned the exhaust blows in your face...are you sure all the exhaust system is intact and correct? Mine exits left front and the radiator fan pushes air forward from the rear of the engine compartment helping dissipate the exhaust.

 

[sandman2234]

I would think cab, but since you apparently already have a jewel, why not use one of the old cutout valves that hotrodders used in history stories. Simply add a rear exhaust system, with a diverter valve to channel it rearward. Since you have a backhoe, while your at it, add another exhaust pipe running to the front and out the side so you can channel the exhaust to the front. Make sure it isn't near the radiator so it can't get sucked in with the radiator fan. Probably several hundred dollars worth of additions in pipes and valves, but a trip to the doctor or medications can eat that up in no time, not to even consider your comfort and future health.
David from jax

 

[Skyco]

Make sure it isn't near the radiator so it can't get sucked in with the radiator fan.

On the BX24 the radiator is under the steering wheel and the air is drawn through from around the operators legs and blown FORWARD.

 

[vicar]

Skyco,

As far as I can tell exhaust is intact. It comes out where you say, is rarely/never visible except for a puff of black smoke when I start up. I think whatever help the fan gives in pushing smoke forward (I never thought of that) is overcome by air currents when driving forward (Like when grading or plowing my drive), or just by the breeze on my hilltop. I notice that there are black smoke/ smudge stains on the loader arms by the exhaust. Is that typical for BX?

I really have been in denial that this is the cause of my sinusl problem, but I'm pretty sure it is. The onset came at the same time as the tractor, and it seems to get worse within 24-36 hours of use. A cab would be nice, but is that even possible on a BX? It's hard enough to get to the BH as it is with having to reverse the seat. I can't imagine it with some kind of door or curtain in the way. Or am I missing something?

David, Where would i even begin researching how to put pipes on?

 

[sqidget]

Soot staining is normal. I have some on the hood around the outlet. Rarely do I smell the exhaust except when starting it in the garage. Is it possible that when digging etc you are kicking up some allergin that hasn't been kicked up as much before?
I really don't know other than claritin etc before starting a project.

 

[charlz]

Is it possible now that you have the tractor you are spending more time and longer periods of time outside and normal outdoor irritants are really the issue?

As for the exhaust you would need to find a way to route it as far away from you as possible... which may be hard on such a small tractor.

Charles

 

[davitk]

Not sure if this relates, but I had to give up running a 2 cycle snow blower from the exhaust fumes. Once upon a time in my life I worked for a snow removal contractor running one of those little Toro's up and down sidewalks - you know, it's not about the money, but the glory - - anyway, I would be hung over with headaches and nausea for a good 48 hours afterwards, no amount of tinkering with the fuel or oil seemed to help much. When I got my diesel tractor I was quite concerned of a repeat, but so far so good.

Hope you find a solution, keep us posted!

 

[Harry c]

One of the guys I work with has a sinus problem when around Diesel smoke. Apparently always has... He has a Terramite with a gas engine that doesn't bother him. He has a Deutz with a Diesel that, as he puts it, "Tears him up!" You might try one of the good respirator masks. Other than that, I've few suggestions.

 

[Hedgy]

There's plenty of evidence that diesel exhaust can irritate the sinus. See this Google search. . Often mentioned are firehouses where the engines are left idling. The particulates in the exhaust seem to be the problem - perhaps there is a respirator mask filter that would be effective against these particulates. It wouldn't cost much to test this solution at least (compared with installing extra pipes).

 

[jbrumberg]

vicar:

Welcome to TBN ! I would strongly suggest that you find out what is causing your sinus problem. There are other environmental irritants that may be causing you this problem. You mention manure (sheep) and dirt work. This problem will not go away; it could be a fungus, mold, etc. that is triggering you . Trust me I now suffer from Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing Pneumonia with Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (similar to "Farmers' Lung"). I have not worked much since I got sick in July, and trust me after 4 weeks in the hospital and having undergone many, many very invasive procedures while conscious you do not want to experience what I have had to experience. I will add that when I do dirt work, mow, and rotary cut while on my tractor now I wear a respirator mask . I will add that I have been working with tractors for 20+ years, and I will no longer go near my compost heap until medically cleared to do so. Almost dying (came real close ) taught me a lot about almost living. Take care of yourself and find out what is causing you your problems. Jay

 

[LBrown59]

Is it possible now that you have the tractor you are spending more time and longer periods of time outside and normal outdoor irritants are really the issue?

As for the exhaust you would need to find a way to route it as far away from you as possible... which may be hard on such a small tractor.

Charles

I'm more suspicious of this than the tractor.
I've had sinus for 53 years and things like exhaust fumes have never bothered me with it.
However in the last 2 or three years mowing dry grass and weeds will occasionally cause me a slightly runny nose but no sinus headache.

 

[ficord]

The exhaust blows right out the front and up into your face.
I too did not like the diesel smell on my B3030 even with cab it came inside. Made me sick.
The first thing I did was to put a Exhaust stack pipe on it going up into the air over the cab.
If you search the forms Exhaust stack on b3030 you will see some pictures.
I have no diesel smell now in the cab or around the outside of the tractor while running even when on the backhoe. No diesel smell at all very pleased.
You have a bx you can come out the bottom and go right up the side and go straight up just like my B7200 did, it only has to go a couple of feet up into the air it will blow out of the pipe straight up about 3 feet higher then the pipe.
You spent 16/ 17,000.00 on your bx I wouldn't live with the smell,
I didn't

 

[herringchoker]

Some excellent advice above. I have had experience with 2 tractors where the location of the exhaust outlet caused illness - a Belarus 250A (exhaust exited horizontally under operator's left foot) and my late father's Mitsubishi MT372 (exhaust exited horizontally at the front at hood level). In both cases we solved the problem the same way that ficord did - extend the exhaust vertically above head level. Our fixes were rather crude compared to the professional job ficord did - a piece of flex pipe connected to a vertical pipe attached to the FEL tower - but it worked. I suggest you try such a cheap fix - if it works you can do it up properly like ficord did. Good luck, and like Jay says, make sure you overcome this.

 

[Racer71]

I concur with running the stack up (and forward). The hot exhaust will continue to rise for a while. The breeze will take it away. If you live in a rainy area you may want to cover the exhaust stack to keep water out. A coffee can would work.

 

[milkman]

Here's a thread that might be a possible fix, I still have it, but took it off because it is a little louder than stock and I didn't bother trying a different muffler.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/74947-exhaust-mod.html

 

[streamin]

In this day /age you would think that someone would make some kind of "filter" for the pipe without affecting flow.Any ideas for that out there???

 

[Roadkill95]

I have been lurking on this great board since last summer, though this is my first post. Partly based on what I read here, I bought a BX24 in August and love it. I have about 85 hours on it so far, mostly backhoe pulling stumps, trenching, grading a new small pasture for my wife's sheep and recently snow removal with FEL and backblade. One problem: I have had sinus problems since last summer (for the first time in my 50+ years) and I have finally made/ admitted the connection that I am allergic to the diesel exhaust. I can get my sinuses reasonably cleared up, and then a couple of hours of seat time and I sound like I have a marble stuck in my nose.

I use ULSD Diesel from the pump, and have even tried changing brands to see if any burn cleaner. I think that has made some slight improvement, but there is still a problem. I have about 100 hours of projects lined up once winter is past so I need some help here. I can't imagine having to get rid of this toy--I mean tool--now that I have seen what it can do, but I can't imagine walking around with sinus problems, living on Nasonex for the rest of my life either.

I remember someone posting about adding an exhaust pipe to the rear, but I don't see how that would help me since so much of my use is with the backhoe. (Why did they place the exhaust pipe so it blows right in the driver's face anyway???) I see an additive advertised in TSC catalog that promises cleaner burning and less pollutants, but is that any different than what i am using now to prevent gelling? Any help greatly appreciated.

I would try a automotive type painting resperator and see if it stops the problem. Use a painting resperator not a dust mask. Get a 3M or Survive Air make sure its a cartrige type. You can get the 3m one as a disposable about 30 bucks. You may have to go to Providence Lacquer and supply in Cranston RI or the store in Norwich.

 

[drtydeed]

Vicar,

Are you absolutley sure that it's the exhaust that casing the problem? Does it affect you when you are just cruising around on the tractor, or is it when you start digging? The reason I ask this is, i have noticed that I become quite sensitive to mold spores when ever I am digging or handling mulch. Eyes water, and a nose full of snot (yeah, I know, kinda crazy for a landscaper...)

Never had allergies before, but I think that we become more allergen sensitive with age