As the short days and long nights draw in, many farmers use the pause in operations to service farm machinery.
Winter maintenance extends the lifespan of expensive equipment and minimises downtime during peak periods. But it’s also a prime opportunity to install automatic fire suppression equipment.
In this article, you’ll learn why retrofitting agricultural machinery with a fire suppression system can compound the benefits of winter servicing efforts, further protecting your equipment and potentially saving lives.
The importance of winter servicing
Farmers use combine harvesters, tractors, loaders and other vehicles less frequently over winter, allowing them to implement a thorough maintenance schedule.
Spending time in the workshop, rather than in the fields, also helps combat many issues that the cold, wet weather brings. These include:
- Fluid thickening. Hydraulic fluids and lubricants are less effective when cold, which increases wear and impairs movement.
- Battery loss. Low temperatures cause batteries to discharge quickly.
- Corrosion and rust. Moisture causes corrosion on metal surfaces, particularly where paint is chipped.
- Electrical vulnerabilities. Damaged wiring caused by rodents or frost increases the risk of fire.
Many farmers will already have a detailed multi-point checklist to prepare equipment for Spring that will look something like the following:
- Clean machinery thoroughly. Remove dust, chaff, oil, soil and other residues from crevices, engine bays and hydraulic pumps.
- Inspect the paintwork. Repair chips and apply a rust inhibitor to exposed metal surfaces.
- Lubricate and grease. Use cold-weather-approved lubricants on pivots, joints, bearings and seals.
- Check fluid levels. Add winter oil and antifreeze to vehicles. Replace fuel and oil filters.
- Protect the battery. Clean terminals and check the charge. Store the battery indoors if possible.
- Check tyres and undercarriage. Prevent flat spots and check for cracks or leaks.
- Keep a maintenance log. Keep accurate records to better schedule inspections and anticipate repairs.
Thorough winter servicing extends the lifespan of assets and minimises the risk of breakdown during critical times like harvest. Cleaning engine bays, hydraulic booms and undercarriages also reduces the risk of fire and prepares machinery for the fitting of fire suppression systems.
Make fitting fire suppression systems part of your winter maintenance
While farmers are understandably reluctant to spend time fitting fire suppression systems during busy periods from spring to autumn, winter is a different matter.
The natural break in operations allows machines to be available for retrofitting. The downtime is minimal, however, with installations taking two days or less.
During that period, installers will thread over 25 metres of tubing around the vehicle’s engine, battery, pumps and hydraulic lines, placing spray nozzles in optimum locations. It’s a small amount of time and hassle to protect expensive equipment from the risks of a fire.
If you already have fire suppression systems installed on your agricultural machinery, ensure you inspect and maintain them during the winter as well. Your supplier should carry out regular maintenance on your behalf, which will include checking pressurisation, inspecting detection lines and ensuring all components are free of damage and debris.
What does an agricultural fire suppression system look like?
At Fireward, our dual-agent system uses dry powder to knock down flames quickly and wet chemicals to cool superheated components and prevent reignition.
The system releases both agents through strategically positioned nozzles, which are triggered by a pneumatic detection tube that bursts under extreme heat.
A range of additional features protects both the operator and the machinery. These include:
- Machine shutdown: Cutting the engine automatically to reduce fuel-fed fires
- Manual actuator: Giving operators manual override for instant fire suppression
- Battery isolator: Disconnecting power to minimise electrical fire risks
- In-cab monitor: Alerts the operator when the system activates
Our systems deliver 24/7 protection, operate without external power and have been independently tested to leading standards — P-Mark SPCR199, AS-5062:2016 — ensuring best-in-class compliance
Why trust Fireward with your agricultural machinery?
As the UK’s market leader in fire suppression systems, we understand the importance of protecting your vehicles and equipment. We’ve already protected a range of leading farming machinery, including:
What’s more, our systems come with a three-year parts and labour warranty, are fully automatic and tailored to your needs. In short, they give you complete protection day and night.
Get the protection and reassurance you need with Fireward
While you can never fully eliminate the risk of fires in agricultural work, the winter servicing period presents the perfect opportunity to make your equipment as resilient as possible.
Installing a fireward automatic fire suppression system delivers peace of mind, maximises your equipment's uptime and protects valuable assets for years to come.
Download our brochure to find out more or request a free quote today.
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