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Thursday, February 14, 2019 Wairarapa Times-Age
2019
Autumn PASTURE&FERTILISER
Winter best time to take steps to reduce summer fire threat
There is always a small but ever present danger, during summer, of tractors and machinery starting ÿ res as has been highlighted by some recent events. John Tulloch, managing director of Tulloch Farm Machines and NZ Tractor and Machinery Association [TAMA] president, notes this season on farm, ÿ res have attracted more coverage than usual. There are a small but consistent number of ÿ res caused by agricultural machinery every summer. John points out that the highest risk is associated with tractors and equipment used during the hottest months, such as hay balers and harvesters and the tractors pulling them.
This burnt square baler and tractor is thought to have been caused by an electrical fault. Quite often, the cause is a failed bearing, used to support rotating or moving parts. “When you get metal on metal, you are going to get heat which can lead to ° ammable machinery parts catching alight, or material like hay and straw.”
The other common cause of ÿ res are electrical parts, John says. He says the time to check farm machinery for faults is during the down time of winter. “That is the time to make sure your equipment is well-maintained and up to scratch.”
And to look under the bonnet of tractors in spring to make sure there aren’t any birds nest there that could catch alight. He also recommends tractors carry a ÿ re extinguisher in case of a ÿ re.
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