Machinery

Danger to Crops from Engine/Vehicle Exhausts
Safe Practices
Mowers and Slashers
Grinders and Welders
Maintenance of Machinery
Save Crops through Equipment Maintenance
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Danger to Crops from Engine/Vehicle Exhausts:

Vehicle and engines exhausts cause about 25 fires each year in rural South Australia.

The 2 main causes are from sparks emitted by the exhaust system and from hot exhaust parts or radiated heat igniting flammable material.

Sparks tend to be caused by engine backfiring or from hot material, such as carbon being expelled from the exhaust.

Ignition of flammable vegetation can occur when it is caught in a vehicle´s hot metal exhaust pipe, muffler or catalytic converter and shield when driving through dry grass or crop paddocks. Under normal running conditions any motor vehicle exhaust can become hot enough to start a fire in dry grass. The amount of heat radiated from a hot exhaust may also be sufficient to ignite flammable vegetation if it is located too close.

Where possible avoid driving a vehicle across paddocks of long dry grass or crop stubble and parking in vegetation on roadsides and paddocks.

Safe Practices:

The SA Country Fire Service (CFS) asks landowners to follow these safety steps during the Fire Danger Season:

Regularly check the exhaust system and remove any build up of flammable material caught in the vehicle´s exhaust pipe, muffler or catalytic converter
Restrict off road driving to tracks where grass is low and park only in cleared areas
Always carry a knapsack spray or fire extinguisher on the vehicle
Maintain a farm firefighting unit with its own pump, motor hoses and water tank ready to use when harvesting, burning-off, welding or conducting other farm operations
Do not carry drums of fuel on tractors. Vibration may cause leaks.
Never refuel any machine while the engine is running and always keep a suitable fire extinguisher on hand.

Mowers and Slashers:

Rotary mowers or slashers used in stubble retention practices can start bushfires through a combination of sparks from the blades striking stones and contact with the vegetation being cut.

The CFS advises that mowers, especially rotary types should not be used in dry grass, stubble or crops on days when there is the chance of fires starting and spreading. Contact your local council Fire Prevention Officer to obtain a copy of the local Code of Practice for Mowing and Slashing in your council area. Should a fire start and escape during slashing the operator may be liable to a fine of up to $5,000 and face possible litigation from any affected neighbour.

In compliance with the SA Fire and Emergency Services Act, when using a mower or slasher, chain saw, brush cutter or edger during the fire danger season you must either:

Clear a 4 metre area of all flammable material right around the area to be cut, or
Have a knapsack or extinguisher and a rake or shovel on hand.
Any tractor powered by an internal combustion engine must also have an exhaust system where
All engine exhaust emitted by the engine or vehicle exits through the system; and
The system is designed to prevent the escape of burning material from the system; and
The system is designed to prevent heated parts of the system from coming into contact with flammable material; and
The system is in good working order
Engine exhaust emitted by a turbo charged engine, as a waste gate will be taken to exit through the exhaust system of the engine or vehicle.

Grinders and Welders:

Sparks from angle grinders, welders, oxy cutting tools, and other gas fired appliances used during the fire danger season can also cause bushfires.

All operators need to observe the rules for using these appliances outdoors during the fire danger season and comply with the SA Fire and Emergency Services Act.

This equipment can only be used outdoors when there is no Total Fire Ban in force and even then a 4 metre space must be cleared and the operator must have a knapsack or water extinguisher on hand.
Dampen down the area with water prior to commencing work as an additional precaution.
On Total Fire Ban days a permit is required from the local council.
Illegal use can result in fines of up to $5,000 for a first offence.

Maintenance of Machinery:

Farmers need to take precautions to ensure that every item of equipment on their farm, which generates heat in one form or another, is in good working order and is not likely to ignite crops or other flammable substances during farming operations.

Check:

All farm machinery and vehicle engines are free from any mechanical defects that could cause a fire.
An efficient knapsack spray and rake or shovel is carried ready for use. A nine litre water extinguisher can be carried as an alternative.
Stationary engines, including generators are operated within a four metre clearance of all flammable material.
Any internal combustion engine must also have an exhaust system where
- All engine exhaust emitted by the engine or vehicle exits through the system; and
- The system is designed to prevent the escape of burning material from the system; and
- The system is designed to prevent heated parts of the system from coming into contact with flammable material; and
- The system is in good working order.
- Engine exhaust emitted by a turbocharged engine, as a waste gate will be taken to exit through the exhaust system of the engine or vehicle
When using a stationary engine, if no one is present while it is operating, the area around it must be cleared of all flammable material for a distance of 4 metres. If an operator is present when the engine is in use, they must have a knapsack (or water extinguisher) and a rake or shovel available.

Save Crops through Equipment Maintenance:

All farm machinery needs to be regularly maintained and serviced during the summer months to protect crops and machinery.

Keep the spark arrester clean and in good order.
Check the exhaust system for emission of sparks.
Remove dry grass/stubble/chaff/straw caught in machinery particularly near the exhaust system before operating.
Replace twisted wire on exhaust systems with clamps to prevent flammable material getting caught and causing a fire.
Keep machinery clean of oil and grease and lubricate regularly to prevent overheating of bearings and other parts.
Keep battery terminals and all electrical wiring clean and tight.
Regularly check that the knapsack spray pump is in proper working order.
Inspect fuel lines and tank daily for leaks.
Check wheel brake adjustments to prevent drag and friction heating.