Correct cleaning and scheduled maintenance prevents fires in agricultural machinery

Agricultural machines are increasingly technological. With investments in research and development, the field has become an environment of innovation, allowing successive harvest records to be achieved, combining productivity and sustainability. Transformed into a typical industrial line, modern crops bring with them concerns that go beyond production, and, just like in factories, issues related to accident prevention and scheduled maintenance must also be part of the producer's daily life.

Inadequate use and condition of equipment contribute to accidents in the field, and fires are among the most frequent consequences. Agricultural machinery contains flammable material which, when subjected to adverse weather conditions, such as intense heat, wind and long periods of drought, increases the likelihood of occurrences.

In grain harvesters and sugarcane harvesters, for example, the combination of combustible materials - present in the harvest fronts and in the harvesters themselves (straw, diesel oil, hydraulic oil) -, associated with the various ignition sources available (high temperature of the pipes and engine, short circuits in electrical cables, friction of metal parts), provides an environment highly prone to fires. The damage caused by fire can go beyond economic ones and put the lives of those in the field at risk.

However, reducing these possibilities involves preventive actions based on good cleaning even during breaks in farm operations. Dry cleaning is a constant and should always be part of the daily routine of anyone who works with equipment in the field. Using PPE equipment (Personal Protective Equipment), including a cap, glasses and leggings, and with the help of appropriate tools, such as spatulas and hooks, the operator must clean harvesters, tractors and transshipment circulating around the machine, removing visible debris, such as straw, leaves, palm hearts, tips, pieces of cane and brushwood.

Furthermore, within the harvest planning, there are scheduled maintenance and the daily obligation not only to clean, but also to wash the machine - no chemical products must be used in the washing process, however, if any liquid is used, it must be be neutral, with no impact on the environment. Another essential point is recording the dates when cleaning takes place.

More prevention

To mitigate the risk of fire, it is also essential that the machines undergo scheduled maintenance. Manufacturers, such as AGCO, of the brands Fendt, Massey Ferguson and Valtra, are attentive to the needs for adjustments and adaptations that each operation requires, with the support of engineers specialized in the product.

It is true that the most modern and technological machines have features that alert you to possible problems, however, even if the operator has extensive knowledge of the equipment, it is essential to be alert to any sign of abnormality. In addition to the measures highlighted previously, more preventive practices are recommended:

The long period of drought and frost, with the burning of vegetation, pastures, various crops and large areas of sugarcane, are making 2021 an atypical year, which amplifies the risk of fires. It is therefore necessary, in the face of an adverse scenario, to redouble attention to preventive care, correct cleaning of machines and strictly follow the scheduled maintenance recommended by manufacturers.

Douglas Rocha, Commercial Coordinator Key Account AGCO