Combine Harvester Fire Suppression: How to Protect Your Machine This Harvest

4 min read

Jul 17, 2025 12:29:26 PM

3:37

With harvest season fast approaching, combine harvesters are gearing up to work long hours under demanding conditions.

These machines are essential for bringing in crops efficiently, but the intense workload combined with dry and hot weather significantly increases the risk of combine fires. Such fires can destroy expensive machinery, threaten operator safety and jeopardise the entire harvest.

In this article, you’ll learn why combine fires occur and the practical steps you can take to prevent them.

How do combine fires occur?

Research consistently shows that the majority of combine fires originate in the engine and engine bay. A comprehensive study of around 9,000 combine fires revealed that 77% start in the engine area, making this the critical zone for fire prevention efforts.

In most cases, the ignition comes from crop residue touching hot surfaces such as exhaust manifolds or engine components. But other fire fuel sources, like dust, hydraulic oil and diesel fuel, are abundant. The constant airflow from radiators provides ample oxygen to sustain combustion once ignition occurs.

Mechanical failures represent another risk factor. Overheated bearings are a leading cause of combine fires. Failed hydraulic hoses can create high-pressure oil sprays that act like blowtorches when ignited, while electrical shorts and damaged wiring can provide the spark needed to ignite accumulated debris.

How can you prevent combine fires?

Farmers can reduce the risk and impact of combine harvester fires through cleaning, maintenance and by installing a combine fire suppression system.

Regular cleaning

When the accumulation of dust and debris is one of the most common contributing factors to combine fires, daily cleaning is non-negotiable during harvest operations.

Effective cleaning methods include:

High-pressure washers to remove caked-on oil, grease and crop residue from engine compartments
Compressed air systems to clear debris from hard-to-reach areas
Portable leaf blowers to clean combines throughout the day

You’ll need to pay particular attention to drive belts, pulleys, bearings and other areas with moving parts. Plant materials wrapped around these parts create immediate fire hazards and should be removed promptly.

The timing of cleaning is also important. Remove debris while engines are still warm to prevent material from hardening overnight.

Scheduled maintenance

Scheduled maintenance that aligns with manufacturer recommendations is a key fire prevention effort. This includes inspections of fuel systems, hydraulic lines, electrical components and exhaust systems before harvest begins.

Storage considerations also impact fire prevention. Allow your combines to cool in open areas away from combustible materials and other equipment. Parking in recently harvested fields with stubble poses unnecessary risks, while cleared areas or fire-resistant surfaces provide safer options for overnight storage.

Agricultural machinery fire suppression systems

While prevention should be the primary defence against combine fires, advanced fire suppression systems provide crucial support. These systems have evolved significantly, with modern dual-agent systems now meeting rigorous international standards such as P-Mark SPCR 199, which represents the highest certification level for fire suppression in heavy machinery and vehicles.

Modern agricultural machine fire suppression systems use two distinct extinguishing agents working in tandem. The first cylinder contains dry powder that rapidly smothers the fire and cuts off the oxygen supply. The second cylinder deploys a wet chemical agent that's designed for a prolonged release to cool down specific heat points of the engine, preventing reignition.

This dual-agent approach provides comprehensive protection against different types of fires and ensures rapid suppression before flames can spread.

What’s more, these suppression systems offer 24/7 protection without requiring power for detection or activation. They feature ultra-fast detection capabilities with minimal moving parts, ensuring rapid response to fire incidents.

Many systems include additional safety features such as in-cab monitoring panels, automatic machine shutdown, battery isolation and external manual activation options in case of an emergency.

Conclusion

Preventing combine fires requires a multi-layered approach combining meticulous maintenance, advanced suppression systems and sound operational practices. Investments in all of these areas will represent a fraction of the potential losses from a major fire incident.

For agricultural operations serious about fire prevention, partnering with experienced fire suppression specialists like Fireward ensures access to cutting-edge technology, professional installation and ongoing support throughout harvest seasons.

For members of NFU Mutual, there is a 15% discount on combine insurance premiums with a Fireward automatic fire suppression system installed.

We support the agricultural industry by protecting a wide range of assets and equipment, including tractors, combines, balers, telehandlers and on-road vehicles. Our fire suppression systems are designed to reduce risks with rapid and reliable protection.When you use a Fireward Fire Suppression System, you get the following benefits:

24/7 protection. Our system is operational 24/7, 365 days a year, with no manual intervention or power required
Ultra-fast fire detection. Our system is the fastest-acting on the market and offers the best protection
3-Year warranty. We offer all customers a three-year parts and labour warranty as standard.
Full accreditation. All our systems are third-party certified to P-Mark SPCR183, P-Mark SPCR199 and AS-5062:2016.
Insurance discount. Our combine systems qualify you for a 15% discount on insurance premiums with NFU Mutual
Additional safety features. We cover every eventuality with in-cab monitoring, battery isolation, machine shutdown and manual actuation.