5030
Epic Contributor
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2003
- Messages
- 24,794
- Location
- SE Michigan in the middle of nowhere
- Tractor
- Kubota M9000 HDCC3 M9000 HDC
The NH I traded on the Kubota bailer was equipped with on board fire suppression via pressurized water. I never used it. In fact I've never had one get that hot. I tend to stop frequently and shoot the side sheets and bearings with an IR thermometer to see if it is getting hot. My philosophy about round bailers is, it's insured against all perils and if it ever did catch on fire, I'd pull the hitch pin and drive away and hell with the hook ups. All my hydraulic connectors are break under excessive pull anyway and far as the electrical/electronic controls, they will decouple themselves. I might see of Kubota offers fire suppression on this one, but I don't believe they do. Fires on round balers are usually caused by overheated roll bearings and all the rollers on the new baler are central point pressure greased and the drive chains also have centralized pressure metered oiling.Personally, I think balers should be equipped with a 50 gallon water extinguisher system. Once you pull the lever, the entire pressurized tank of water sprays out into critical areas and it’s over.
I've seen a lot more combines go up, especially when running dry beans and wheat than anything else. My buddy down the road lost his late model JD that way last fall. He had time to detach the grain table and back away but that was it. By the time the VFD got there it was nothing but a black smoking hulk. They do burn quite nicely and produce a lot of smoke.