Mower noise
I recently acquired a ransomes marquis mark 4, and got it running today. It is very loud; louder than my atco deluxe, which I previously thought was loud!
Any suggestions on reducing engine noise? I intend to use this mower, however my neighbours would rightly be annoyed if I were to mow my lawn with the ransomes each week in its current state.
I'm going to add a new exhaust as a starter, as the current one has seen better days. Would adding a more modern aftermarket exhaust make a considerable difference? I appreciate that this will be anathema to the purest, however I want to be able to use the mower without it being excessively loud.
How much noise reduction can I expect to achieve by adding a new exhaust, lubricating relevant parts, and ensuring the machine is well oiled? Or am I just going to have to accept that this is a loud machine?!
Forums
A bit of a thread
A bit of a thread resurrection!
I have actually been thinking the same with my Villiers 515H (150cc Lightweight). It does seem quite noisy. I know it will do compared to my more modern Hayter Harrier but i was wondering if anyone knew the effect of different silencers/mufflers on noise? I have researched and some people say the type makes very little difference. Basically i have been considering trying one of the Briggs and Stratton "Lo-tone" type mufflers or similar (like the pancake ones). I would want to be able to keep it original so ive been looking at what i could simply swap as needed with the original exhaust/muffler.
The current attachment is a 1/2" BSP thread sone of the pancake types would fit straight on, though id need to add an elbow to get clearance. But it seems straightforward to use an adapter piece so i could use a 3/4" BSP exhaust/muffler fitting which opens up more possibilities.
Im just not sure if changing it would make a noticeable difference? This is what i have currently:
I think that both of you need
I think that both of you need to consider that the engines in question are from a generation when there were no noise regulations and that people just accepted that engines / mowers were noisy . Noise is not just from the end of the exhaust - general mechanical clatter and fan noise all contribute.
Yes good points wristpin!
Yes good points wristpin! Having a careful listen It is clear that the exhaust is only part of the origin, I was just wondering if I could reduce it slightly it might help. With my current Hayter 48 it takes me about 1/2 hour to cut the grass. According to the marketing blurb for my 24" Lawnrider this should be reduced considerably, ha ha so hopefully the neighbours will be tolerant enough!
I actually really like the noise, but then I've got an old Ducati running on open pipes so I think I might be biased!
Im currently doing some restoration work on the frame of the Lawnrider then I can get the engine installed and hopefully up and running quite soon.
As an aside I would like to heartily recommend L and S Engineers. I asked Paul at Meetens for a few bits and of course he passed me on to L and S who have taken on his stock. I received just the best customer service I have ever experienced. Wyn the MD called me to discuss what I needed, and even sent me an original manual for my engine foc, plus some photocopies of the carb manual. All for an order of just £30. Very impressed with the whole process, they were super helpful.
Without hearing your machine
Without hearing your machine it's difficult to comment but I've never considered the Marquis to be a particularly noisy machine but then not all mower noise arises from the engine; incorrectly adjusted chains or blades can create quite a racket. Unless the existing exhaust muffler is falling apart I doubt if replacing it with what you term "an after market" item will bring about a dramatic reduction of engine noise.
An image of the current exhaust may be useful.