Tricks to stop baler fires

Corn harvest is simply beginning and with the scarcity of forages this yr, a number of corn fields may have corn stalks baled up.  With the vast majority of the state being in some variation of drought, the potential of a hearth occurring and spreading quickly is a subject of concern.  Listed here are a couple of suggestions and reminders to forestall fires from occurring.

Stopping Baler Fires

• It is suggested to wash the baler of dry matter reminiscent of leaves, mud and plant stems with a battery or gas-powered leaf blower after each 50 to 75 bales.  Nevertheless, cleansing the baler needs to be accomplished a minimal on the finish of every day.
• Examine bearings, chains, hoses and belts for put on and exchange worn components. 
• Take away extra internet wrap and/or twine items which will have accrued across the rollers.
• A technique to make sure bearings are working effectively and staying cool is utilizing an infrared thermometer with lasers that may be bought for round $50.  Test bearings as soon as the machine has warmed up.  Bearings usually run between 125-150^oF.  As soon as bearings are reaching temperatures above 180^oF, injury can happen.  If bearing attain temperatures above 300^oF, shut the machine off instantly.
• Search for purple discoloration on the shields of the baler the place the curler bearings are positioned, as this may be indication of a “scorching spot.”  These “scorching spots” are indications of bearing that’s carrying out and must be changed.
• Test belts to guarantee they haven’t grow to be unfastened.  When a belt turns into too unfastened, it can slip on the rollers inflicting friction.  That friction can permit mud particles, unfastened materials and the creating bale to ignite.
• Lubricate chains, gears, and bearings based on producer suggestions.
• Instantly restore any hydraulic or gas leaks.

Preparation Earlier than a Fireplace Occurs

• At all times carry a cellphone or various for speaking with others in case of a hearth.
• Carry a minimal of 1 10 lb ABC dry chemical hearth extinguisher (Determine 1) saved in or close to the cab of the tractor or on the baler.  Don’t climb onto a burning machine to place it out. It’s not well worth the threat of the lack of your life or sever harm. 

Bear in mind to PASS when utilizing the extinguisher

Pull the pin.
Aim the nozzle
Squeeze the set off
Sweep throughout the bottom of the fireplace

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Notice: All hearth extinguishers needs to be checked by the fireplace division or different company yearly to guarantee they’re absolutely charged and prepared.  As soon as an extinguisher has been used it have to be recharged.  In the course of the baling season, invert and shake the extinguisher canister a few times to forestall machine vibration from consolidating the dry chemical compounds on the backside of the canister.

• Carry a shovel or spade so filth could be thrown on a hearth or to place out the “scorching” spots.
• Test your hitch sort for simple unhooking (i.e. hitch pin vs threaded bolt).
• Have a tractor hooked to a disk close to the sector you might be harvesting however positioned the place it wouldn’t be affected if a subject hearth ought to happen.
• Have a big water tank with water positioned close to the sector.

Placing Out a Fireplace

• Flip the baler off.
• Pull the tractor and baler into an adjoining space that has already been baled as a result of there may be much less hearth gas.
• Name 911 earlier than attempting to extinguish the fireplace your self.  Relying in your location, it could take as much as half-hour or longer earlier than the fireplace division can attain the scene.  The earlier they’re conscious, the earlier they are often on scene.  Adrenaline is flowing however present dispatch with as a lot element relating to your location as doable.  Embrace county street names and numbers or exact description i.e., 5 miles east and 4 miles north of Farmer Brown’s home.  The benefit of volunteer hearth departments is their data of the place individuals stay within the space.  Nevertheless, if a number of departments are known as out to a hearth positioned “northeast of city” they have to search for the smoke to find the fireplace and could be delayed.
• Baler needs to be unhooked from the tractor solely when your life will not be in danger.  No worth of tractor is value your life.
• Give attention to holding the fireplace from spreading to the encompassing vegetation by both placing a disc line round it or wetting down the encompassing space.