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Professional loggers understand the investment they have in their equipment and what that investment means in terms of daily production. Equipment fires are both dangerous and expensive. It takes only 15 to 20 minutes per day to substantially reduce the risk of your investment going up in smoke!
Most fire hazards are created by:
- Accumulation of debris inside mechanical compartments.
- Buildup of oil, grease, and fuel from leaks and spills.
- Faulty or damaged electrical system wiring and components.
- Overheating brakes.
- Heavy buildup of flammable materials around rotating drive shafts.
Follow these routine fire prevention maintenance steps to protect logging equipment:
- Perform daily and routine maintenance and service as recommended by manufacturer.
- Use only qualified operators who have been trained to use fire suppression equipment.
- Clean often!
- Clean out engine and mechanical compartments of accumulated debris at least once a day. During heavy leaf fall or dry periods, clean as often as necessary.
- Drop belly pan and remove side shields to clean and remove accumulated leaves, debris, oil, grease, spilled fuel, etc., from engine and transmission compartments at least once a week.
- Steam clean or pressure wash unit at least once a month.
- Inspect battery cables and connections, as well as electrical wiring, connections, and components at least weekly. Repair or replace any defects in the electrical system.
- At shutdown, engage battery disconnect switch if available on unit.
- Maintain and regularly service the engine and hydraulic cooling system to avoid overheating.
- Remove flammable items from operator’s compartment.
- Do not transport flammable liquids on the machine: gas, oil, or diesel, etc.
- Before fueling, shut off engine. Do not smoke within 50 feet of fueling areas.
- When parked at shutdown, maintain at least 50 feet between machines in an area cleared of excess ground debris to minimize the spread of fire.
- Observe machines for 15-20 minutes after shutdown to ensure proper cooldown.
- Maintain all protective shields, screens, belly pans, and covers to reduce the accumulation of flammable debris inside machine compartments.
- Immediately clean up fuel, oil, and grease spills.
- Prior to using a cutting or welding device, clean the machine and, if necessary, wet the work area down with water. Have a fire extinguisher present during this work.
- Maintain an approved, charged, and operable fire extinguisher.
- Place company name and phone number on equipment.
The potential for woods equipment fires can be reduced with daily, weekly, and monthly fire prevention measures. It takes only a few minutes to prevent your “iron” investment from going up in smoke. Remember the keys to prevention—clean, inspect, and repair.
KEMI does not assume liability for the content of information contained herein. Safety and health remain your responsibility. This information is to be used for informational purposes only and not intended to be exhaustive or a substitute for proper training, supervision, or manufacturers’ instructions/recommendations. KEMI, by publication of this information, does not assume liability for damage or injury arising from reliance upon it. Compliance with this information is not a guarantee or warranty that you will be in conformity with any laws or regulations nor does it ensure the absolute safety of any person, place, or object, including, but not limited to, you, your occupation, employees, customers, or place of business.
