Have you ever seen $150,000 go up in smoke?
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Craig Smith, Natural Resource Engineering Specialist
Have you ever seen $150,000 go up in smoke? If you have ever witnessed a combine fire, your answer would probably be “YES.” Combine and tractor fires are problems that result in over $20 million in property losses each year. This monetary figure does not even take into account the wasted time, the lost crop in the field, and the big headache that follows such a disaster. Two important keys to remember before you fire up your big machines are: prevention and preparation.
Most fires start around the engine compartment. If not cleaned regularly, this area can become covered with crop residue and caked with oil and grease – great fuel for a fire. Before harvest begins, use a pressure washer to remove all of this junk. After starting the season’s harvest, periodically blow the compartment out with pressurized air. This will help prevent buildup and will actually make the engine run cooler and more efficient.
A proper maintenance and inspection schedule is also keen in the fire prevention process. Grease bearings, lubricate chains, and check for worn bearings, leaking hoses, fittings, or metal lines. Make repairs if possible, but if you are going to have to resort to duct tape and baling wire, then the part should probably be replaced. Also, visually inspect electrical lines for damage or deterioration.
Just because a combine is in perfect running condition and clean as a whistle, doesn’t mean that a fire can’t still be sparked. So, you have to be prepared. For a tractor, a five pound ABC fire extinguisher is recommended. But on a combine, you should have at least one fully charged 10 pound extinguisher in the cab (another one could be placed somewhere else on the machine).
If a fire breaks out, grab the extinguisher and get off the machine. It is a good idea to have a cell phone to call for help. Be cautious when fighting a fire. Opening shields and doors can cause the fire to flare up. Fuels also make this a dangerous situation. Remember that it may not be possible to extinguish every fire. The machine can be replaced, the skin on your body can’t. Have a safe and bountiful harvest!