Muffler Mods and Increased Decibels???

[Chainsaw]

One of my boys bought a Stihl MS400C last year and decided recently to try the West Coast Bark Box muffler on it (I think I got that right).

WOW - that is one loud chainsaw now…

Question - is it typical that muffler mods increase the decibels well into hearing damage range, even with wearing ear plugs or muffs?

I had ear plugs and even at a distance, that saw was still crazy loud to my ears - LOL!

 

[JKNW]

More flow is going to come with more noise. Bark boxes are especially loud due to the outlet being nearly in line with the exhaust port.

 

[Stump Shot]

Doesn't have to be so. Deflectors with the exit holes fully covered and pipes added that stick well inside the muffler housing pointing away from the operator can be quite reasonable while still adding performance. Any large exit at the face of the muffler is going to be loud with the full blast from the port hitting it head on. There's not much of a way around that.

 

[DillonBuck]

Not really. Any gas powered saw is well into ear damage range.

The standard I’ve been taught was,
“If you can’t have a conversation at normal speech levels, you need to wear ear pro.”

I’d bet e-saws running would be closer to the limit than one would think.


Yes, anything letting the flow out better lets the noise out too. Well done you can temper the noise, my preference on work saws creates a deeper sound, with less of the crack.

 

[2000ssm6]

The deflector/side port has been used for many years, works great and won’t blow your ears out.

This sudden rage for insanely loud exhausts is weird.

 

[bucketofguts]

MS 201C with WCS muffler sounds like a Hodaka Combat Wombat. Showing my age

 

[Duane(Pa)]

Most of my saws have muffler mods. I always double up, foam plugs and muffs. Some foam plugs are damn near worthless.

 

[Chainsaw]

Thanks for the replies everyone - much appreciated!

 

[Duane(Pa)]

Just going to add this: The muffs on my (stihl) cutting helmet are nothing to write home about. It's not their top of the line helmet by any means. The muffs lack the proper "squeeze" tension to stop the noise. When I wear it, I always get the best foam plugs I can find and put them in first.

 

[Seachaser]

Just going to add this: The muffs on my (stihl) cutting helmet are nothing to write home about. It's not their top of the line helmet by any means. The muffs lack the proper "squeeze" tension to stop the noise. When I wear it, I always get the best foam plugs I can find and put them in first.

My Stihl helmet is a piece of crap compared to my Husqvarna. But I replaced all my ear muffs with I believe 3M.

 

[dangerousatom]

The deflector/side port has been used for many years, works great and won’t blow your ears out.

This sudden rage for insanely loud exhausts is weird.

All the Honda Boys from the 90s have grown up into saw guys
.
.

 

[singinwoodwackr]

One of my boys bought a Stihl MS400C last year and decided recently to try the West Coast Bark Box muffler on it (I think I got that right).

WOW - that is one loud chainsaw now…

Question - is it typical that muffler mods increase the decibels well into hearing damage range, even with wearing ear plugs or muffs?

I had ear plugs and even at a distance, that saw was still crazy loud to my ears - LOL!

the Bark Box is a complete waste, IMO. Way way too loud for what gains you get. A simple muffler mod will give you the same gains but without anywhere near the noise those things produce.
I have one for a 500i...will sell, cheap, lol My headset AND earplugs still weren't enough to be able to use the saw with the Box

 

[EFSM]

A nice opening or two in the side of the muffler is so much better. I’m not sure that Bark Boxes benefit the scavenging either.

 

[legdelimber]

Speaking of decibels and exhausts. Youtube dropped this one in the suggestion list.
Wyoming oil well engine muffler mod?

 

[bucketofguts]

WTF