Farmers should regularly inspect their combines' machinery, fuel lines and electrical systems during harvest season to prevent fires, a Purdue Extension safety specialist says.
Harvest season brings a unique combination of risk factors that increases the risk of combine fires, said Bill Field, professor of agricultural and biological engineering. Dust kicked up during field operations and dry plant material from crops can clog or wrap around machinery, causing it to overheat. Other common hazards are electrical malfunctions, sparks from hitting rocks, loose or slipping belts and leaks in fuel or hydraulic lines.
Worn bearings or seals and blocked exhaust systems can cause overheating and sparks. Inspecting equipment at the end of the day can help prevent overheated components from catching fire during the night, Field said, and a hand-held thermal camera can help detect hot areas before they ignite.
Some components of the combine's electrical systems are also at higher risk of overheating, particularly parts like starter motors and heating and cooling systems that draw a heavy electrical load. "Fuses that blow regularly should be considered an important warning sign that a circuit is overheating somewhere," Field said.
"Every fire involves three elements—an ignition source, fuel and oxygen. Removing one or more of these elements will prevent fire, so as you examine the combine, other agricultural machinery or a building, consider the potential for each element and where they are likely to come together to form a fire."