Combines Fire hazard

[oldstruck]

We have an R42, I also have found several areas on this machine that hold matterial. I am kind of a clean nut when it comes to a combine. I want it clean before it is put away for the season. I do not want any mice in any part of the machine. I hate those n%and* things. I start with the air hose top to bottom, there is not a door or a cover that is not opened up or taken off. To just blow the machine clean with air it takes me about 4 hours. Then comes the vacuuming (not just the cab) and finally the powerwashing and greasing. It is a two day job actually. When we are all done all the panels, and covers stay open or off. Mice dont like places that they cant hide in, and they wont stay where there is no food to eat. Right now my issue is between the cab and the grain tank, I know I have material in that area sitting on the fuel tank, and can't figure out how to get to it. You are right about setting a machine on fire, I am sure not everyone checks what is behind the piece they are welding or torching on in the heat of battle during harvest. Then end up with a Gleaner that has more orange and black on it than any of us would care to see!

 

[R_O_M]

One of our local R 72 owners works with a latest model JD owner. The Gleaner guy gets the job of harvesting the large plots of different types of crops for the research they are involved in. The Gleaner farm hand driver hates the job but gets it because the R72 takes about an hour to clean down between plots. The JD takes at least 4 hours for a similar clean down. We no longer use any water, particularly under pressure to wash our R62 down. Water under pressure gets under the bearing seals, creates rust internally in the bearings as the machine sits for months in the shed and leads to a lot of early bearing trouble and replacement. A mobile 100cfm compressor works well but they are nearly unobtainable in OZ due to the demand from the combine operators for that very purpose of blowing combines down, usually daily.

 

[Tom_Russell]

I totally agree with your approach regarding water. Keep the pressure washer away from the combine and there will be fewer bearing problems.

 

[brad_c]

Agree. I blow the thing off once a day then hit every nook and cranny after season. Also, i don't use a power washer just a garden hose w_sprayer attachment on the shell (pressure reg valve has been removed from my meter so have enough pressure to wash). Vaccum inside and out, service and put away.

 

[oldstruck]

Yes, we do use a power washer, on the sheet metal (the silver parts and wash down the engine, and cab, not on the moving parts of the machine. I wish we had a 100 cfm compressor! Then it would not take quite as long to clean her up. Our 15 cfm takes some time to catch up! But we do leave everything open except the cab. Also we disconnect the batteries. About once a month I will start her up and put the thresher and feeder houses in gear, and turn the a_c on for about 20 minutes, just above idle. There was squeak (what I call a normal squeak for a Gleaner, I grew up around G's, M's, l's)in around the main Drive pulley hub assembly, when we got this R42, but since I have been starting it every month and running things, it is not there any more. Actually this is one of the quietest Gleaners I have been around. (knock on wood!) Now on another note, I would not be afraid to put steam to her if we needed to, our Karcher washer can do that.