Fire protection for agricultural machinery: using compressed air against dust and straw

Thoroughly cleaning agricultural machinery with compressed air can prevent it from overheating and catching fire due to dust and straw. In our blog post, we explain why the use of mobile compressors in the field is part of active fire protection.

Agricultural machinery breakdowns are an unpleasant matter. Every minute counts, especially during harvest time. This is all the more serious when the combine harvester overheats and catches fire due to dust and straw.

Cleanliness plays a crucial role in agriculture - especially when it comes to the use of combine harvesters. These impressive machines are exposed to large amounts of dust every day during the harvest season, which settles on pulleys and radiators, for example. But why is it so important to remove these deposits regularly?

When the grain is threshed, the pulleys heat up and the dust on them can also reach high temperatures. This poses the risk of embers, which in the worst case can lead to fires.

There is a simple but effective solution to counteract this risk: daily cleaning of the harvester with compressed air. In addition to the pulleys, there are other components that require regular cleaning.

These areas should be cleaned daily: 

• Chains and gears
• Hydraulic control and pulleys
• Entire engine area
• Stripped electrical wiring
• Intake filter
• Exhaust aftertreatment system

Efficient cleaning with a compressed air lance

When it comes to cleaning hard-to-reach areas on agricultural machinery, a compressed air lance is an indispensable tool. The device uses compressed air to remove dirt, dust, chips or other deposits from surfaces. 

1. Compressor: The process begins with a compressor that sucks in air and compresses it. The compressed air is then fed into the hose of the compressed air lance.
2. Nozzle mechanism: At the end of the compressed air lance there is a nozzle that concentrates the air flow. The air jet can vary depending on the nozzle size and shape. This allows different cleaning tasks to be handled precisely.
3. Air pressure: The high pressure creates a powerful jet of air that blows dust and dirt from the surface. 
4. Efficiency: The advantage of the compressed air lance is its efficiency. Compared to conventional cleaning methods, such as brushing or wiping, the compressed air lance can effortlessly remove even stubborn dirt without damaging the surface. And since the lance - unlike high-pressure cleaners - does not require any water, moisture-sensitive components such as electrical and hydraulic systems are protected.

 

Cleanliness is the be-all and end-all

In addition to daily cleaning before and after field work, agricultural machinery should be thoroughly cleaned at the end of the season. The basic rule is that a machine that is put into winter storage must be clean. Dirt is poison for the paintwork if it is left standing for a long time and rust can form. 

To ensure that agricultural machinery - such as combine harvesters, balers, seed drills or loading wagons - works perfectly in the spring, they must be thoroughly cleaned. Gentle cleaning with compressed air prevents problems and defective or missing parts are discovered straight away. If there is a lot of dust and especially if there are leftover food sticking to the machine, mice are not far away and like to nest in niches. The small rodents then often cause damage to cables and circuits. This poses a real fire hazard the next time it is used.     

HPC KAESER mobile compressors ensure safety

Overall, cleanliness is not just a question of aesthetics – it is an essential component of a safe and efficient working environment in agriculture. 

HPC KAESER MOBILAIR portable compressors make a decisive contribution to this. Extremely robust and easy to handle, they perform their work reliably and are extremely energy efficient. Thanks to their long-lasting performance, removing dust, straw and dirt is done in a flash.

The mobile all-rounders are particularly flexible in their location of use. Whether stationary in the machine hall or mobile in the field - MOBILAIR compressors generate compressed air wherever it is needed.