Learn Not to Burn During This Busy Harvest Season!

The late September USDA crop report for Wisconsin shows that we are a bit behind average on harvested acres for corn and soybeans and well behind last year’s drought-induced early harvest.  So, October promises to be a bit rushed for many growers, and conditions appear to be relatively more dusty this fall.  Time will be critical, and it’s also crucial that you avoid a costly and potentially devastating combine fire!

A 2002 study showed that crop residue is the material most often first involved in a grain combine fire.  Our study of almost 9,000 fires also showed that more than 75% of fires start in the engine compartment, though they tend to often rapidly spread to other parts of the machine.  Fires become especially severe when fuel lines rupture from the heat or hydraulic hoses are compromised.  When tires become involved in a fire, the result is almost always a near total loss.

Based on what we know, the most critical information is to keep your engine compartment clean of all crop residue and any buildup of greasy/oily material.  Different machines have different “patterns” for crop residue buildup in the engine area.  This can even change a bit from year to year as a result of conditions (wind, relative humidity, and dustiness).  Take time to blow out or find other ways to remove any buildup of crop trash daily or as is needed.  All fires need an ignition source.  Often, exhaust components (turbochargers, manifolds, mufflers) are involved, but faulty bearings or malfunctioning electrical systems can also be the culprit.  

All grain combines need to be equipped with at least two 10-pound ABC dry chemical fire extinguishers.  Larger ones are even more preferable, though they are a little more clumsy to handle.  Avoid new “high tech” fire suppression liquids (that I often see being sold in spray cans at farm and machinery shows) unless they are tested and explicitly approved for dry, cellulosic-type material (crop residue) AND liquid fuels by Underwriter’s Laboratory.  The “ABC” compound means the extinguisher will work on Class A crop residue, Class B flammable liquids, and is non-conductive so it can be used on electrical components.

If you do experience a fire, pull away from the standing crop and shut the machine down.  Call for help.  Use your extinguisher(s) with great care and fight the fire by aiming at the base of the flames.  Again, the engine must be shut off or air movement will simply fan the fire and blow the extinguishing powder out.  Also, if you experience even a small fire that you are able to put out, correct the problem that caused it before you resume and make sure to contact your insurance company.  Harvest is the most dangerous time of the year. Be proactive and careful to protect your safety and your investment! 

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First Material to Catch Fire in 8,927 U.S. Grain Combine (Harvester) Fires

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Fire Origin Location for 8,927 U.S. Grain Combine (Harvester) Fires

Reference

Venem, M.T., W. Gilbert and J. Shutske. 2002. Combine Fire Prevention Summit. ASAE Paper No. 028017. St. Joseph, Mich.: ASAE.

Article from:

John M. Shutske, PhD

Associate Dean and Program Director

Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension & Outreach

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

University of Wisconsin - Madison

Protect Your Health When It’s Dusty

Dusty combining conditions have been observed and reported during the last couple weeks of soybean (and corn) harvest in Wisconsin.  Combine operators are far better protected with modern cab air filtration and handling systems than in the past, but dusty conditions still present health concerns for some.

Outside of a combine’s cab, most research shows that dust concentrations are at least 20 mg/m³ though I would estimate that some of the conditions I’ve seen in the last week would have had concentrations at least two or three times that level.  Fortunately, a well-sealed cab and a quality air filter (filtering air coming into the cab) will reduce dust levels down to 0.5 to 1 mg/m³ which is much more comfortable and healthy for the operator.

Field dust from soybeans, corn, and other field crops is complex.  It consists of inorganic soil particles, organic plant pieces, mold spores, insect parts (and excreta), endotoxins, and bacteria.  Smaller dust particles can be breathed deep into the lungs and can cause damage.

Photo Credit:  Soybean Harvest by United Soybean Board
Attribution-NonCommercial License

Respiratory illness from grain and other agricultural dust exposure is well-known to physicians in rural areas and can include severe allergic reactions and a reaction known as “organic dust toxic syndrome” (or ODTS).  Nearly everyone exposed to a day’s worth of dusty conditions will report some range of symptoms such as a runny nose, mild sore throat, coughing, and general feelings of tightness or feeling stuffed-up.  Some people develop different forms of bronchitis and dusty conditions can be debilitating for people with asthma.

Here are a few important things you can do to protect your health while operating a combine:

•  Make sure you have the correct air filter in place and that it’s clean and properly installed.  Several manufacturers sell heavy duty filters which are more efficient and will filter out a larger fraction of small particles.  These are more expensive, but may be worth it if you have sensitivity to dust.
• When installing/cleaning your air filter, make sure gaskets are snug and in place. If you pull a filter out to clean it, make sure not to damage it (such as using too high of a compressed air pressure).  Likewise, make sure your cab door latches firmly and that all rubber gaskets around windows and doors are in good shape.  Keep the inside of the cab as clean as possible so you’re not blowing dust around your operating space. 
•  Even if you’re not driving the combine, do as much as possible to avoid clouds of dust.  If you’re driving a truck or tractor/wagon combination, take the same precautions making sure to have windows shut and the fan on to create positive pressure to keep dust out. 
•  If you feel the effects of dust exposure and symptoms do not go away a day or two after exposure OR if they become worse (coughing, difficulty breathing, increasing amounts of phlegm, etc.) make sure to see a doctor or other qualified health professional.  Realize that people can become more and more sensitive with repeated exposures to grain dust, so it’s wise to take steps to protect yourself.  

Article from:

John M. Shutske, PhD

Associate Dean and Program Director

Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension & Outreach

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

University of Wisconsin - Madison