What’s wrong in this picture?  Fires are a risk year-round, but especially during the dry season that comes during harvest. Fire safety and fire prevention should be a part of every farmer’s farm safety plan.

Combine and tractor fires can be caused by several heat sources. The most common is exhaust system surfaces that contact any flammable material. Make sure your exhaust system including the manifold, muffler, and turbocharger are in good condition and free of leaks.

Replace any worn or malfunctioning electrical component with proper parts from your dealer. 

The arcing electrical wires on a farm machine will generate extremely high temperatures. Also keep an eye out for worn bearings, belts, and chains. A badly worn bearing can glow red-hot. Any rubber belt subjected to intense heat from a worn part can burst into flames.

Your best source of protection for a combine is at least one fully charged ten-pound ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher.