b2400 on fire!

bruski · Jul 23, 2012

Just got my b2400 back from the dealer after a near catastrophic fire. A few weeks ago while cutting a pasture puffs of smoke started coming out of the dashboard. I turned it off and walked to the barn to get a screwdriver to remove the dash to see what happened. Upon coming out of the barn I saw flames, so I quickly got a fire extinguisher and ran to the tractor to put out the fire.

Seemed to have started at the voltage regulator. Needed a new dash, a new wiring harness, a new hood and assorted electrical parts. Paid for by insurance fortunately (minus deductible).

Dealer service writer said he'd never seen a b2400 do that and thought it had to have been a critter nest.

Anyone else ever experienced this?

CurtisC · Jul 30, 2012

Never had a fire but noticed that field mice liked the area behind the dash to nest on my B26 that was kept covered outside. After cleaning out a nest I had to electrical tape several wires going to the dash that the insulation had been chewed off. I even had one build a nest in the air cleaner - didn't find that one until I checked the filter element! Tractor is now in a barn that I just finished but with rolling front doors and a dirt floor it will never be mouse proof. I use plug in the wall hi-frequency repellers, throw down poison baits and even stuff a couple of "bounce" sheets in the dash area (saw that in an earlier post) when I'm gone for a while. So far no more porblems, but waiting to see what happens this fall when they get busy looking for winter nesting sites. There was an earlier post on a tractor fire that started while the tractor was just sitting out in the open - so I also disconnect the battery when I'm out of town. I'd agree with your dealer that field mice could be a suspect if they're prevalent in your area

Ed of all trades · Jul 30, 2012

Had a farmall A catch fire after a bird built a nest on the exhaust manifold. Burnt hand was about all the damage as it had little paint on it. was lucky as it was against the gas tank as well. Hope you have no more trouble. Ed

boggen · Jul 30, 2012

mice, i hate the little flippieded floppes. one reason, for newer folks if i think of it at the time. of stating make sure you heave easy to remove panels around everything. to check for mice nests. and chewed wires errr insulation removed from the wires.

Johndeere3720 · Jul 30, 2012

I have had mice problems in the past on my L118 JD. In fact this morning i was looking at my L118 and noticed that someone packed my ignition switch full of dirt!

Nobody knows who did it so my assumption is someone was poking around and decided to disable my L118 as a cruel joke or something. I defiantly will check all the fluids after this incidence to be sure nothing else was messed with. So I flipped my hook open and saw a mouse nest on top of the battery (again). Them mice are awful, i have had two mouse nests on my battery and one that was up past the air filter between the plastic engine covering and the cooling fins on the engine. At the time i did take pictures of cleaning out the mouse nest under the plastic covering, I gotta check that area frequently which is fine since it is right under the air filter which I check frequently.

Smiles007 · Jul 30, 2012

boggen said:
mice, i hate the little flippieded floppes. one reason, for newer folks if i think of it at the time. of stating make sure you heave easy to remove panels around everything. to check for mice nests. and chewed wires errr insulation removed from the wires.

We need barn cats to protect our tractors!! haha!!!

Ductape · Jul 30, 2012

I used to have a B2400 and it was a great tractor. Over all the years I've hung around here, the only problem I recall them having was a finicky starter solenoid. I don't ever recall anyone here ever reporting having a fire with one. The rodent prblem sounds plausible.

Tollster · Jul 31, 2012

Battery disconnect is nice to have.

CBW1999 · Jul 31, 2012

Never really thought about it but- I'm going to take a closer look under my dash (B7510).

Rodents usually prefer the car and van to nest in, never seen evidence in/around the engine of the tractor. But I guess the potential is always there.

mvwicker · Jul 31, 2012

Mice like motorbikes, too. One climbed up the air intake and chewed holes in the paper filter element. I took some screening and wrapped it around the replacement element to deny the next visitor his snack.

Another mouse built a nest under the gas tank, above the cylinder head, and chewed up the spark plug boots and some nylon tank bag straps.

This all happened inside a garage.