almost burnt a hay field

[MF1652]

I was raking hay and had to cross over a large wind row. This caused the hay to bunch up under my tractor and it didn't want to clear it's self as I continued along and only made things worse. Stopped to clear the hay and smelled something burning. I went around to the side where the exhaust discharges and saw a large chunk of hay hung up on the exhaust which was starting to ignite the hay. After feverishly pulling the hay out and making sure it wasn't going to start a fire, I took a moment to consider myself lucky. If it caught, it would have taken the tractor with it and probably set the whole field of hay on fire. Very close call. I don't feel like watching my tractor go up in flames with an entire field while I talk to a 911 operator, so I installed a fire extinguisher. Found a nice spot to hang it on the side of the dash where it's out of the way and easily accessible as well.

 

[Wacky]

Great idea!!:thumbsup: Count your blessings.

 

[beenthere]

That hangs in there quite well. Hope you never need it.

I had a wren build a nest under the hood and behind the exhaust manifold of a two-cyl 420 JD. I was going down the road to some logging work, and could smell smoke. Figured the guys in the woods were starting some brush piles or stirring up the ones from earlier.
When I realized it was coming from under my hood, I scorched some fingers pulling burning twigs from under the hood. An extinguisher would have been a welcome sight at that moment.

 

[sweettractors]

Good idea. We should all add one to our tractors. My Oldest Son had his 4000 Ford catch on fire this past spring and he was lucky to be close to water, A fire extinguisher is not something we think much about until it is needed. Ken Sweet

 

[cspot]

Good idea. We should all add one to our tractors. My Oldest Son had his 4000 Ford catch on fire this past spring and he was lucky to be close to water, A fire extinguisher is not something we think much about until it is needed. Ken Sweet

I just looked on EBAY and it looked like depending the size you could buy a small fire extinguisher with a mounting bracket for between $15 to $50. That is pretty cheap if it saves your tractor or equipment. Not to mention that when working on something in the barn you might catch something on fire and need it. I would be willing to bet that most of us don't have any fire extinguishers there either. I think that the only one that I have is one my wife has in the kitchen that is probably 15 years old. Don't even know if it would work.

 

[two_bit_score]

That fire extunguisher is a really good idea. Why don't manuf's offer that?

 

[radioman]

FYI, from my training as a CERT member, that fire extinguisher on your tractor will only take out a small trash can size fire. Its always a good idea to have a fire extinguisher at all times on the tractor like I do, but I also have a small ABC type size as well, but I am hoping I never encounter a large fire.

 

[CCWKen]

Glad it turned out alright. And a nice adjustment. :thumbsup:

When I first saw the thread under Customization, I thought you were going to tell us how bright your new LED lights were.

 

[beenthere]

That fire extunguisher is a really good idea. Why don't manuf's offer that?

Maybe because there are many different kinds, and they add to the cost?

Or tractor companies don't mfg fire extinguishers?

They can be found on combines and other equipment operating 100% of the time in dusty conditions. Prolly not so important to them on a CUT. And if one burns up, they might just sell another replacement.

And I don't know "why"

Why don't they put a handkerchief box holder on our CUTs ?
Or a digital clock?
Or a built-in radio?
Or maybe an iPod?

 

[wendallb]

It has always seemed carzyto me that you are required to have a fire extinguisher if you have a boat but not for a car, truck or tractor..

I have one in each of my cars and one on my tractor..

 

[Thomas]

Whew..glad there was no sour ending,now some protection no matter the size.

 

[beenthere]

It has always seemed carzyto me that you are required to have a fire extinguisher if you have a boat but not for a car, truck or tractor..

A bit more serious if you are in a boat, and get a fire. Can't just "walk" or "run" away.

We have enough "requirements" already too. IMO

But, lets just go all the way and make it a requirement to not have anything that can burn. No danger then (from fire). Just teasing, but why not, long as legislating our lives seems to be "in".

 

[BruceWard]

A few years ago a young man was bailing hay on a property next to my grand parents farm. His bailer caught fire and he decided to drive to the creek to put it out. He drove along and set 3/4 of a mile of fence line on fire on his way to the creek. The bailer burned up in the creek. The fence had lots of wooden posts and attachments to trees. 40 or more acres of the field he was bailing and 30+ forrested acres on our side burned. The 3/4 mile of fence had to be rebuilt after the fire.

Hay fires can be serious. Be careful out there.

 

[theonlybull]

FYI, from my training as a CERT member, that fire extinguisher on your tractor will only take out a small trash can size fire. Its always a good idea to have a fire extinguisher at all times on the tractor like I do, but I also have a small ABC type size as well, but I am hoping I never encounter a large fire.

maybe so, but if it's right there, on the tractor when the fire starts, it's not likely to be much bigger then a trash can fire.. it would be great to have a 20lbs'er onboard, but it's gotta fit on there too.

i keep a 2lbs'er in everything i own, as a fire fighter, i know just how much they can put out. I'm also well trained in how to use them

 

[CBW1999]

I keep a 2.5 gallon pump sprayer strapped to the loader arm with fresh water in it. it is handy for small "fires" involving anything except flammable liquids or electrical fires. It has also come in handy when I have gotten overheated- was able to spray myself down to cool off.

I also have several old "Indian Tanks" ( 4 gallon backpacks for brush fires). When I burn off brush in the spring, I keep these filled up and in the bucket.

We used to keep 6 pressurized water extinguishers on our First Due Engine Company- that had class "A" foam in them. They were quick to grab and use on grass fires, hay bales, etc. Just do not use them on yourself if you get too hot (watched the chief do that one day.....more than just foaming at the mouth:laughing

I have wanted to get several to keep on the tractor- they have a large refill cap on top, are recharged with compressed air by a tire valve and are easy to "service". If the local Fire Department uses foam, and is willing to give you some, adding the foam concentrate makes it even better. We kept a small detergent bottle on the engine, and added just a cap-full when refilling.

....I've found, that I am running out of room on the tractor to carry all the "safety" equipment I would like.... I may have to get a bigger tractor!

 

[wvpolekat]

Ok, so mounting ideas for one? Loader mounts? ROPS? It needs to be somewhere it can be easily gotten to from on or off the tractor and not impede a hasty dismount. What kind of mount? Seems like a good $20 insurance policy.

 

[legbuh]

This reminds me of a few years ago with my new Cub mower I was chopping up leaves with it... I hate raking.

Well, over time the shrouds on the deck (which had a very poor design IMHO) must have got plugged with dry leaves/grass and sure enough... I smelled smoke, looked down to see white smoke coming from my new tractor.. lol... then I remember the gas tank was right down there too.

Quickly got off, lowered the deck all the way and hosed it down. It did toast the belt and leave a little black char on the deck. Other than that, it was scary.

Neighbor across the street watched the whole thing too. When I got done I looked up and saw him looking with awe/confusion on his face, so I went over to explain over a beer... lol

 

[CompactTractorFan]

The extinguisher in the picture is only rated for class B & C fires. Burning hay would be a class A fire.

 

[MF1652]

The extinguisher in the picture is only rated for class B & C fires. Burning hay would be a class A fire.

Size was a determining factor in going with a B C extinguisher. All the A B C rated extinguishers were rather large which limited where I could store it on my tractor. Figured it was more likely to have a chemical or electrical fire caused by the tractor. Would be nice to have all three, but some protection is much better than none.