Close Call. Almost burned up my tractor!

[thunderworks]

I was burning a brush pile today. No wind. We've had lots of rain this Spring. Seemed safe enough. I parked the tractor about 40 yards from the pile (I manage the pile with a grapple) and went to the barn to get a rake, more water etc. Gone maybe 15 to 20 minutes tops. Returned the brush pile and was damping out the edges in the grass to contain the fire. Looked up and my tractor seat was on fire! Flames 3 to 4 feet above the seat . . . Long story short, I was able to put the fire out, but have paint damage, need a new seat, tool box lid, seat belt clip etc . . . Tractor (L5030) is mechanically fine - everything works OK, but it's pretty ugly. Clearly the fire threw a spark right onto the tractor platform. I had miscellaneous crap behind the seat which caught fire, ignited the seat (mostly melted) and came close to burning the whole thing up. Whew! Was I stupid, Whew! Was I lucky. Adrenaline was running pretty high!

 

[idaguide]

WOW! That's quite a tell with a GOOD lesson...
So glad you're OK, and your tractor will recover.
grae

 

[dangerdoc]

I had the bright idea of pushing some brush further into the fire with my old ford. The brush pushed alright but when I went to back out, I couldn't get any traction. I ended up having to drive through the fire leaky hydrolics and all to get out.

Luckily the old beast was a diesel. No harm but I about messed my pants.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I had the bright idea of pushing some brush further into the fire with my old ford. The brush pushed alright but when I went to back out, I couldn't get any traction. I ended up having to drive through the fire leaky hydrolics and all to get out.

Luckily the old beast was a diesel. No harm but I about messed my pants.

Wow! A serious 2wd loader problem. I hadnt thot of that. Glad you were able to go on thru w/o harm.
larry

 

[Treemonkey1000]

I had the bright idea of pushing some brush further into the fire with my old ford. The brush pushed alright but when I went to back out, I couldn't get any traction. I ended up having to drive through the fire leaky hydrolics and all to get out.

Luckily the old beast was a diesel. No harm but I about messed my pants.

Is that why the name "Dangerdoc?"

 

[dangerdoc]

Is that why the name "Dangerdoc?"

LOL, unfortunately I earned that name when I was in the service, but apparently it still applies.

That incident was one of the reasons I ended up with my Kubota.

 

[texasjohn]

Glad you are Ok... that particular risk would not have occured to me...
makes me glad I've got a cab.. another reason for a cab

 

[Treemonkey1000]

Well thank you for your Service to our Country. And Thank God you got a Kubota!

 

[charliepff]

I use my FEL too stir the pile and flip stuff around. Well the last time I went to pick up some stumps and branches the stuff flipped and threw all kinds of hot ashes on me. Not a good feeling. I was lucky that I usuall wear long sleeves gloves and safety glasses. No damage to anthing except maybe underwear.

 

[Sniggle]

Got any pictures?

 

[thunderworks]

I'll get a picture of the melted seat . . . FWIW, I ordered necessary repair parts this afternoon. The seat costs $720 (including a 10% discount)! Wow! Now in addition to feeling both stupid and lucky, I also feel poorer!

 

[Treemonkey1000]

That's one expensive Hot seat. For that much money it better have a couple of cupholders and a remote control

 

[thunderworks]

Treemonkey . . . I wish I could tell you that it had all sorts of cool extras, but it's just a seat. I looked at a few aftermarket replacement seats, but the L5030 seat has an unusual mounting system. Couldn't figure out a reasonable way to jury-rig a cheaper option.

 

[ampsucker]

i, too, use an old tractor to help when burning the brush pile. it's a ford 800 gas engine. i flip the rear blade around and push backwards to push burned limbs, etc. back into the center. it works pretty good. i routinely drive the back wheels into the coals and as long as i just back in and drive right back out i've never noticed any damage to them. they are giant ag tires though. luckily it has a metal seat! (well, unlucky for my rear when i'm in it a lot, but it is hard to burn!)

anyway, i was thinking of using the fel on the bx to do this duty, but you are making me rethink this plan. perhaps i'll wait until the coals are out and then just use it to move the ashes!

glad you and the machine are alright and sorry about the pain in your pocket book. and yes, a fire extingisher was one of the first things i strapped to the kubota.

amp