Harvest season is upon us, and with hot, dry conditions comes the concern for equipment fires in the field. Are you prepared in case of an emergency?
The first line of defence is to clean equipment of caked-on oil, grease, and crop residues and by regularly removing excess residues or plant materials wrapped around bearings or belts. Check on hoses and fittings often, and don’t ignore a leak. But even with regular maintenance and cleaning, fires happen.
Fire extinguishers on the combine, tractors, or trucks in the field are a must, but here are just a few examples of fire extinguishing units installed right on the grain cart.
Testing the additional fire ? fighting equipment we just built for the cart. Low budget about a day of work…and hope to never use it. #harvest2020 pic.twitter.com/idfJOxqhkV
— Corey Loessin (@loessin_corey) August 16, 2020
My home made fire fighting unit on my grain cart saved a combine today #harvest20
Hot , dry and fine lentil straw is bad this year pic.twitter.com/4i6Sp5Ob6O— Kelly Bradford (@KwbKelly) August 17, 2020
Double check fire extinguishers, and if you have a spare day before you start combining, consider building your own fire suppression unit like these farmers have. It’s a good idea to review fire safety procedures with your harvest crew before you begin. Make sure you know where your extinguishers are and test out extinguisher units before you head out the field.
Let’s hope you never have to use one, but better safe than sorry!
Related: 9 Tips to Prevent a Fire During Harvest