In Reply to: Combine Fires posted by JerBear on February 14, 2002 at 16:27:30:
In reference to combine fires we had soybean dust accumulate under rear side of grain tank.
On windy days when we have a strong tail wind and I believe soybean dust embers from engine exaust manifold blow under grain tank where dust collects and starts to smolder. Fortunately I found out before it caught fire. Last year it burned a hole in the Air cond lines and we lost all freon. Had to replace lines on rainy day.The year before we had similar wind conditions and soydust startedshiel to smolder in several areas on the side ledges and around chopper. We started dropping hot embers on ground
and caught field on fire in several places. We were fortunate enough to be near buildings with a water hydrant to put out the smoldering soybean dust. We have a shield on the exaust manifold that the company said would prevent problem and it still occurs. We have not had a problem during corn harvesting.