It only takes a small spark to potentially turn a productive harvest day into a costly and dangerous situation.
That’s why proactive combine maintenance and fire prevention, both before and during harvest, are essential for preventing machinery fires, which can jeopardize land and lives.
Think taking a bit of time during harvest to inspect and clean combines creates costly delays? The reality is that skipping routine maintenance could have significantly higher cost implications if a combine fire were to damage crops or equipment or cause physical injuries.
Crop residue, heat, and dry conditions that are typically present during harvest can unfortunately create a perfect storm for combine fires. And considering that some combines can hold upwards of 1,500 litres of fuel, combine fires are a significant hazard during the harvest season that should never be overlooked.
Fortunately, combine fires are often preventable with proactive maintenance, a safety mindset, and fire awareness.
Before harvest
The best time to start mitigating the risk of a combine fire is well before harvest even begins. Think of proactive maintenance as your first line of defense against combine fires.
Plan ahead by carefully inspecting equipment and allowing time to order parts and schedule repairs. Make sure to thoroughly clean the machinery, using a pressure washer to remove oil, grease, and any old debris, which will help with spotting parts that need to be repaired or replaced.
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