Machine Fires - Quest Guide 3.07

Scottish Woodlands Quest Guide 3.07

Machine fires are infrequent but high hazard events. A risk to life, to valuable machinery and equipment, worksites and woodlands, adjacent properties and to the environment.

Forestry machines, more than any other, are susceptible to the build-up of airborne debris, leaves, needles, twigs, wood dust and wood chips, in the engine, cooling and hydraulic compartments.
In harvesting machines in general, but especially in thinning’s or felling Larch in the autumn or Lodgpole pine when it is losing needles with Dothistroma.
Similarly with forestry maintenace machines, when handling and moving old branchwood or biomass for chipping or as part of ground preparation works when brash raking or windrowing for mounding on restock sites.

The fire potential of these materials can increase as they dry out inside the machine, are heated up and become impregnated with oil and grease. These can be both an immediate or a secondary source of fuel, especially for electrical faults. Rotating components can rub against these causing ignition. Hot engine and compontent surfaces can also ingnite these. Think about the crop and materials you are working with and how often you clean out this debris from the engine compartment, the belly pan, the differential plates, and from around the exhaust components. Removing this debris is the single best fire prevention practice. Cleaning out these areas once a day may not be enough.

There is much more detail in the document below on how to avoid machines fires of all sorts and what to do in case of a fire to also keep yourself safe.