Hay balers can be hidden fire danger

Each year we hear about hay stack fires in sheds and paddocks and unfortunately, equipment.

However, not so commonly thought of are hay baler fires which start while baling.

During every hay harvest, the Victorian Country Fire Authority (CFA) attends several baler fires, many of which could have been avoided.

Not only are balers often burnt-out in these fires, but sometimes the tractor is damaged or destroyed, neither cheap pieces of machinery.

There are other costs such as paddock fires caused by the baler fire spreading into windrows and paddocks, especially if there is wind. Plus there is always the dangerous prospect of personal injury.

Most baler fires are caused by over-heating of damaged/worn bearings, and are often not noticed until the bale and baler are well alight.

It is compulsory by law in Victoria for all tractors to have a water extinguisher with a minimum nine litre capacity attached to the tractor during the fire restriction period.

Unfortunately, this law is poorly enforced but this simple tool is a no brainer when operating equipment with hot bearings in hot dry, windy conditions in dry flammable grass.

An extinguisher could be critical to nipping a baler fire in the bud or at least delaying it spreading too much before the CFA arrives.

Another recommendation includes carrying a minimum two kg dry powder extinguisher for several reasons. These are useful for electrical and hydraulic oil fires, often starting as a result of the baler fire melting wires or hydraulic hoses.

Water can evaporate or sometimes does not reach all crevices or deep enough where dust and loose dry material has built up.

A powder extinguisher will spread further and is more effective.

Electrical shorts can also start fires and even though the electrics are usually automatically shut down on many of the latest model tractors, fires can sometimes short circuit this safety process. Water won’t extinguish these fires. Some other tips include: Clean the tractor each day to minimise build-up of flammable material,

Get a handle on the normal operating temperatures of the bearings once the baler reaches operating temperatures by using a thermal gun ranging in price from $30 to $100s.

Replace any bearings which are running hotter than normal, although the latest balers run at higher temperatures than the earlier models.

Consider changing sets of bearings because when one is showing signs of wearing out. The bearing in the opposite one end of the shaft to the worn bearing may not be far from wearing out itself as well.

If you notice a fire in the bale chamber, or a smoking bearing, don’t eject the bale from the chamber. While being ejected the bale becomes suddenly exposed to much more air and the loose material inside and around the baler can seemingly ‘explode’ into flames once the baler is freed from its tight air-restricted confines

Do not speed up the tractor in the hope of extinguishing the flame as the flush of air actually fuels the flame and often just spreads the fire into the paddock itself.

Separate the tractor from the baler as quickly as possible, because baler fires can get out of control quickly and rapidly generates extreme heat. Approaching the drawbar is almost impossible (without severe risk of burns) and metal components heat quickly making uncoupling of hydraulic hose very difficult and extremely dangerous. If there is no extinguisher available, this is a must, to avoid destroying the tractor as well.

Avoid overloading of electrical circuits by using the battery isolation switch, if fitted, whenever the harvester is parked.

The use of vermin deterrents during the down period as these animals can chew through electrical insulation resulting in short outs.

Of course, I shouldn’t have to even mention care needed when driving vehicles with hot exhausts or even hotter catalytic converters over long dry grass or windrows, nor welding and/or grinding metal in the paddock on hot windy days.