Breathing dust while baling

[crowbar032]

For those of us without cab tractors while baling hay, do you wear any sort of dust filter over your nose? I generally have sinus issues anyway, but managed to make it through weekend baling without issues. I'd still like to find something to prevent breathing in so much dust.

 

[JESSE1]

Years ago when I baled with an open tractor, I used dust masks and ear plugs. Nothing makes dust like a round baler. Breathing in the chaff is not a good thing. Get them at Home Depot or Lowe's where they have the safety gear.

 

[oldnslo]

Being young and invincible we never wore masks while baling or combining. Neighbor has severe asthma so he always had to wear surgical style dust masks. I would say let your conscience be your guide. I have wore dust masks for working with old plaster and old blown in insulation and found them almost more annoying than the dust.

 

[Farmer495]

Wearing a dust mask and sweating and be unable to breath seems to be far worst than dust. I've run open tractors for years, round and square balers, dust only bothersome if the wind is blowing the wrong way, rather hold my breath for a few seconds in a dust cloud from a wind gust...

 

[Ortimber]

I always wear ear protection and sunglasses, but have never worn a dust mask. I think it's probably a great idea though.

 

[Citydude]

I wore a neoprene dust mask by Wolfbike when mowing a few years ago. I have pretty bad allergies and the mask worked as promised. It was easily cleaned by rinsing out with warm water and let dry overnight.

 

[Goose69]

I've never found a dust mask that worked well enough to be worth the trouble, while baling.

I did find using a wet bandana, tied around my mouth and nose like a mask helped keep stuff out, and helped keep me a bit cooler as well...

 

[dragoneggs]

Never baled, but around dry grass my 'hay fever' is unbearable. I should mask when mowing but of course I don't... and as such, am a sniffling, goobering mess part way through the job. As I get older and more aware of mortality I wear a breathing apparatus more and more. Should have started this good habit long ago. I say to at least wear the simple white disposable
'hospital' masks if you don't go for the more fancy 3M pink filters. In any case, it can't hurt!

Quite surprising how many people in Japan wear them on subways and in the office workspace when they are suffering a cold. Polite people... concerned about other's well being... I know off subject.

 

[AGRIMAN]

No, even in the days before the cab tractors I never used a mask unless I was baling peanut hay. If you think regular hay is dusty, try baling some peanuts.

Most of the time you can even see the baler behind you. The PTO shaft just disappears in a cloud of dust about 3 feet behind you.

 

[cqaigy2]

I got a "Wolfsnout". Best particle/dust mask i've ever used. Doesn't load up, low restriction. Very comfortable even in warm weather and glasses don't steam up. I wash mine with soap and water when i need to clean it.

 

[ray66v]

I have worked as a bodyman by trade, still do sometimes.

I wore dust masks, and respirators all my life.

Like wearing knee pads, you have to get used to a mask. Once you do, rather than feeling uncomfortable with it on, you don't want to be without it.

If you get one like this, which has an exhale valve, it allows the air out easier, making it easier to adjust to wearing it. 3M 8511 N95 Industrial Respirator with Valve S-6779 - Uline

I just use a basic mask without the valve.

With reasonable care, they all last a while.

When it gets dirty, pitch it.

Watching people wearing masks on the DIY channel, it seems for some reason, people can't understand how the straps go. I thought it was obvious. One goes above the ears, one goes below them. Otherwise, you get gaps that let the dust in. And, you may as well not bother wearing it.

Gently squeeze the metal band in the nose piece, until it fits your face.

 

[Tigershark]

3M Half Facepiece Reusable Respirator 6300/07026(AAD) paired with 3M 2091 filter and for the last year I haven't had any problems with anything I do on my farm, I look like an idiot (probably) when mowing, cutting, raking, tilling etc but I haven't gotten sick since wearing it

 

[crowbar032]

I wore a neoprene dust mask by Wolfbike when mowing a few years ago. I have pretty bad allergies and the mask worked as promised. It was easily cleaned by rinsing out with warm water and let dry overnight.

I got a "Wolfsnout". Best particle/dust mask i've ever used. Doesn't load up, low restriction. Very comfortable even in warm weather and glasses don't steam up. I wash mine with soap and water when i need to clean it.

I had one of those and it worked well while it lasted, but came apart pretty quickly.

 

[stuckmotor]

I used to wear a mask when feeding hay. The ones with the little valve helped a great deal in keeping my glasses from fogging. I wore the mask because of my alergies. There is a condition called "farmer's lung" don't know much about it but suspect the mask might help prevent that too.

 

[Oldoak]

I used to wear a mask when feeding hay. The ones with the little valve helped a great deal in keeping my glasses from fogging. I wore the mask because of my alergies. There is a condition called "farmer's lung" don't know much about it but suspect the mask might help prevent that too.

Yes, it will. Any thing to help prevent inhaling foreign material into the lungs helps with allergies but most importantly lung and breathing problems later in life. Some of which develop into life threatening complications.

Those are just the kind of dust masks I use. The masks with the little valve in. Like you said, helps prevent my glasses from fogging and exhaling warm breathe much more comfortable. I even wear one when mowing grass, blowing around dust and pollen aggravates my allergies.

I first started wearing something similar long ago as a boy working in a feed mill, bagging grain. Some of the "old timer" used to tie bandanas over their nose and mouth. Looked like a couple of "outlaws" working at the mill. Recalling good ole' memories now!

 

[crowbar032]

Like you said, helps prevent my glasses from fogging and exhaling warm breathe much more comfortable.

The ones with the little valve helped a great deal in keeping my glasses from fogging.

My concern was glasses fogging up as well. I'm going to get some of these to try out.

 

[Oldoak]

My concern was glasses fogging up as well. I'm going to get some of these to try out.

They are more expensive than the ones without the little valve. But I find they are well worth the little extra cost.

 

[zzvyb6]

Why not just mount a powerful DC fan on the bale case to blow the hay chaff, dust, mold, dirt and bugs way behind you. 12V automotive HVAC fans are all over the place in junk yards. I've often considered mounting a mechanically driven fan on the feeder fork drive on my 14T, but there are other options for the different baler brands and types.

 

[ray66v]

If you have the nose piece properly fitted, and the straps in the proper place, your glasses should not fog up.

That indicates a leak. If there is a leak, it leaks on inhaling, as well as exhaling. If it leaks, it's useless. So, it's kind of a good warning sign.

I use a standard dust mask with my glasses all day. If I get fog, I just re-adjust the nose piece.

 

[dragoneggs]

If you have the nose piece properly fitted, and the straps in the proper place, your glasses should not fog up.

That indicates a leak. If there is a leak, it leaks on inhaling, as well as exhaling. If it leaks, it's useless. So, it's kind of a good warning sign.

I use a standard dust mask with my glasses all day. If I get fog, I just re-adjust the nose piece.

Agreed. Good quality silicone rubber mask should easily conform to most faces. Getting the straps adjusted properly once should eliminate any leaks/fogging. If you are fogging it is not fitting right.