Exhaust stack bracing? Yes? No?

[Daron1965 644]

I'm planning on installing exhaust stacks on my 312 8, and on my C 120. I have looked at many pictures on here of others designs and installations. I am concerned about the stability and weight of the exhaust stack.  I think that a bracing system would be needed.  Am I wrong in my thinking? Wouldn't be the first time.  

If bracing is needed,  how have you braced your stacks?

[Racinbob 11,301]

A lot of folks don't support them but I think it's best if you do. I've never been a big fan of stacks but it just seemed right on my Suburban 400. This is a Bud Andrews stack. The design of the 400 had a support built in but I still wondered about it trying to unscrew itself so I added two setscrews in the fittings forward of the support. Do a search here and you'll get lots of ideas. 

 

[WHNJ701 4,165]

personally I think stacks on garden tractors look terrible and rarely look or done right, but consider bracing yes, people tend to use the stack as a push point when rolling or moving the tractor, and they do act as a funnel for water and condensation getting into the engine.

[Pullstart 63,201]

On my 502...

 

 

[Pullstart 63,201]

This monstrosity showed up at my shop one day, I think it would be quite appropriate to put it on The Polished Turd, my 656   I’m not sure if it’ll end up as a side pipe, or stack but either option is hideous and wonderful!

 

 

 

 

 

[ebinmaine 68,874]

I'm a huge fan of stacks. Partially because the truck driver in me just likes to see them. But also because I really like having the exhaust so that it blows up out and away from my face.

 

The eight horse does not have a support. That said, the exhaust I used is very very light weight.

 

I'm going to be putting one on the 1267. I should probably try to figure out some kind of a support for that.

 

 

It really does come down to... Better safe than sorry.

[wheelhorseman 3,211]

I always support my stacks!

[Chris G 3,296]

I put stacks on all my workers and I always brace them. 

[Thegearhead0324 1,256]

I made a brace for mine that goes right to the frame. 

[Daron1965 644]

That's a great idea.  I am going to try that brace. 

Your tractor looks great. 

[Thegearhead0324 1,256]

Thank you its a work in progress. Yea I figured bracing it to the motor itself wouldn't be as effective as just a piece of steel going straight down, blend it in with paint and stack ain't going nowhere.

[ebinmaine 68,874]

2 hours ago, Thegearhead0324 said:

just a piece of steel

What shape and size metal?

[Thegearhead0324 1,256]

It was originally a 6' x 3" x 3/16" thick piece of steel I measured the distance and cut down about 1" wide all the way down and bent it to fit. Drilled the holes after bending and bolted it to the clamp on top and frame hole on bottom.

[Pullstart 63,201]

I think I used 1/2” thin wall round tube and crushed the end in the vice for drilling.  It has all kinds of strength for what it needs to do.

[Tankman 3,520]

Only one short stack. Don't push this Horse much, no add'l support.

Grandsons "needed" the stack.