Combine fires

[Taiga]

I had a high pressure diesel injection line develop a hair line crack and it was spraying diesel all over the engine. Lots of smoke but no ignition, man that was close and spooky.

[crusher]

We could smell a smoking belt the other night, did an investigation and called it a night. Next morning found a small burnt patch of pea dust behind the rotor, S670. The wire leading to the rotor sensor had melted on the gear case. Dodged a bullet there. Sounds like the neighbours had a combine fire yesterday. Today the crew reviews how the water pump works on the grain cart.

[Blaithin]

Kind of glad crops are behind here. Nobody really going yet. The heat will help the crops but hopefully they’ll still hold off until it cools down a bit.

Can’t imagine fires starting when the whole countryside is still standing. Usually fires can only travel a field or so here before they hit stubble and easier management, right now they could go all the way to the river, fast.

[bucket]

Combine fires seem more frequent , maybe due to more sensors needing wiring. Cheaper parts used at manufacturing maybe. Less attention to details at dealers for their so called winter servicing programs. More powerful combine.

And of course the fact that combine are made to runner warmer with so called environmental / emissions controls .

[biglentil]

Tell me you've had trouble with combine fires without telling me.

[Blaithin]

Now I know there are a thousand and one bearings (and sensors) on combines already, but I wonder if any studies have been done on which ones seem to be the most common culprits? Like the hard/impossible to grease one mentioned.

Asking simply because the main bearings on the legs, drags, and conveyers at the elevator all have hot bearing temperature sensors on them. If they heat up a warning indicates and if they aren’t shut down, the equipment shuts off on its own. Yes, it can be annoying, but it can also be very helpful.

Because machines need more sensors like a hole in the tire.

[AlbertaFarmer5]

I know a guy who used to install fire suppression systems on big mining equipment. Considering the cost of a modern combine, that may be viable.

[shtferbrains]

I'm sure I have poster this before but I won't go to the field with the baler without my thermometer gun.
I stop after about an hour when the tailgate is open.
You can check every roller end bearing from there in less tha 2 minutes.
Check gearbox temp and even u joints

When you get that uneasy feeling you can smell something hot you can go around and check in a few minutes.
I think you can get a reading from 6 ft away.
Also like to have a few of those 2 ltr torpedo pop bottles for extra water.

[blackpowder]

All good ideas actually.
Yesterday we ignored a sensor in combine because we've learned not to trust all the garbage going off in our older pickups and cellphones and other tech crap and monitors that isn't reliable.
Well, this one was. Probably flushed over $6000 yesterday lol.
Now let's talk about the crap bearings in everything ag the last 10-15 years.
Wonder why more don't burn.

[shtferbrains]

Now let's talk about the crap bearings in everything ag the last 10-15 years.
Wonder why more don't burn.

Ordered a replacement chain from JD as I assumed OEM would be better than local off the shelf.
Open the box says Made in China.
Asked the partsman, he said it meets all the specs.
Pay premium price for MIC?

Could have bought Renold chain from the local Coop.