September Harvest Safety

September Harvest Safety: Protecting Farm Machinery and Rural Property

​As September kicks into high gear across Logan County, harvest season is officially beginning for our agricultural community. Long days in the field with combines, tractors, and grain trucks are vital to New Holland, but they also bring an increased risk of agricultural fires. Dry crop residue, high operating temperatures, and windy early-autumn days create ideal conditions for field and equipment fires.

​The New Holland Fire Department wants to remind our local farmers, operators, and farm families of essential safety practices to ensure a productive and safe harvest season.

​1. Equipment Cleanup & Daily Maintenance

​Accumulated chaff and dust on hot engine parts are the leading causes of combine and tractor fires.

• ​Daily Blow-Downs: Use compressed air or a leaf blower at the end of each shift to thoroughly clear crop dust, chaff, and debris from engine compartments, exhaust manifolds, and belt drives.
• ​Inspect Fuel and Hydraulic Lines: Check for cracked hoses or leaking fittings. A high-pressure hydraulic leak atomizing onto a hot exhaust pipe can ignite in seconds.
• ​Monitor Bearings and Belts: Overheated bearings and slipping drive belts generate intense friction heat. Pay attention to unusual noises, burning smells, or hot spots during operation.

​2. Extinguisher Readiness in the Field

​When a fire breaks out in a dry field or machine, having the right equipment immediately on hand can save a crop or a million-dollar piece of machinery.

• ​Carry Two Extinguishers: Mount one 10 lb ABC multi-purpose extinguisher inside the cab and another easily accessible at ground level on the exterior of the machine.
• ​Check the Pressure Gauges: Verify that gauges are in the green and safety seals are intact before pulling into the field.
• ​Invert Monthly: Invert and shake your extinguishers periodically to prevent the dry chemical powder from packing down due to field vibration.

​3. Field Management & Emergency Response

​Planning ahead makes a significant difference when seconds count.

• ​Know Your Location: Ensure every operator and family member knows the precise field location, farm entrance number, or nearest rural road intersection to give 911 dispatchers.
• ​Stage Tillage Equipment: Keep a tractor hooked up to a disk or chisel plow near the field edge. If a fire starts, creating a quick dirt break downwind can contain the spread until firefighters arrive.
• ​Watch the Wind: Avoid performing hot work—such as field welding or grinding—on low-humidity, high-wind afternoons.

​Free Home Smoke Detector Installation:

While prepping your harvest machinery, don't forget to check your home's fire defenses! Smoke detectors lose reliability after 10 years and need complete replacement.

​Through our "Be Alarmed!" program, the New Holland Fire Department provides and installs free 10-year sealed lithium battery smoke alarms for all residents within our fire district.

​Schedule your free installation: Call us at (217) 445-2341 or visit newhollandfire.com.




​Have a safe, smooth, and plentiful harvest, New Holland! If an emergency occurs in the field or at home, dial 911 immediately.