Fire extinguishers

This is a little different question from most of the postings I read. Having been responsible for fire safety where I worked I tend to look at tractors and think safety too. Considering the vibration during work, the temperature and precipitation extremes tractors experence in northern climates, is there any particular brand of extinguisher better suited for carrying on a tractor than the usual Kidde or Amerex available through safety supply houses (which are not usually the cheapest sources for good equipment)or discount houses?

Hello Cody CBD,
We used Ansul dry charged fire extinguisher on out trucks and trailers. The y are designed to be frame mounted and exposed to the weather.
Guido.
poke here

2-1/2 gallon pressurized water which becomes a class AB when AFFF (dish soap) is added.
Myself I used a minimal dose of ethylene glycol that's slushy at 0F.Don't breath in the smoke or fumes of any fire. In particular the glycol smoke.
Dry chem and CO2 is best on electrical and liquid/gas fires depending................
An ABC dry chem or CO2 is about as effective as having a full bladder on a deep seated class A hay/wood/greasy tractor/bearing/belt fire.
It takes water with a wetting agent such as AFFF to knock down, cool and extinguish a class A.

I'm also my company's "Safety Guy", you have my condolences.

This post got a little long so I will cut to the chase here. In short, I recommend a 10 pound ABC extinguisher. Purchase it from a local fire extinguisher company instead of Walmart. Keep it inspected and under a cover in the machine.


As far as the brand, I agree that the cheap Kidde ones aren't going to be very good, especially the throw away ones from Walmart or hardware store. The main issue with them is the nozzle design. The have a tendency to leak down and the plastic pieces can break and most do not have a hose.

I would recommend something similar to the Amerex brand I have attached. These have a steel cylinder and an aluminum valve. Most all also have a hose to direct the spray.

The biggest question to answer is the type of active ingredient: Dry Chemical or CO2. There are some fancy foam ones, but either of these should do just fine. The problem with dry chem is that the powder may compact in the bottom. There is a long tube inside from the valve to the bottom of the cylinder. This is where the powder comes out through. If the powder is compacted, it will either rat hole around the tube and you just get air out or block it off totally. Not that big of a deal as long as you inspect the extinguisher once a month and insure the powder is loose.

An "ABC" type be a good general purpose choice. This should cover you for any plant material or fuel fires. I would consider 10 pound to be a minimum size and if you think you need more, I would carry two instead of a 20 pound. An equivilent CO2 would be just as good but will be more $$. The trade off is that is will not compact and it may be slightly better at something like an engine fire because you can just jam the hose in the grill and the CO2 vapor will fill the engine bay.

You already know this, but others may not. To keep OSHA happy at work, we have to do monthly inspections. In addition, we have to give them an internal visual inspection and valve service after 6 years. Pressure testing after 12 years, it is expensive so we just trash them then. That is where all my farm extinguishers come from.

Farm specific items should be: Keep the extingisher covered and properly secured. Do your monthly inspection. You may have to turn it upside down and wrap it on a tire to loosen the powder. You should hear the powder move around if you hold it to your ear and tip it upside down. Watch the pressure gauage, remember it is temperature dependent. If you every have to use it, you better turn it upside down and either smack the side with your hand or something else to make sure it will work.

I would recommend one 10 lb on each tractor. Two on the combine (one near the cab and one near the ground). One on the baler might not be a bad idea too.
Amerex

Who' this Meat Man guy, he's a blowhard!!

Ha ha

I just reread you post. I totally missed your real question about the Northern climates. I think you could still get by with my advice, but you strongly recommend buying from a professional local service. They can give it a little extra pressure to compensate for the cold temps. With either one you will have diminshed preformance when it is really cold, but they should still work.

Don't want to cause trouble or confusion here, but AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam) is used mainly for hydrocarbon (liquid) fires. On the other hand a (Wetting Agent) added to water changes the surface tension of the water giving it the ability to penetrate and to cling to verticle surfaces thus making it good for some class A fires. We use both in the fire service. For general usage I would stick with the ABC extinguisher. As others said buy a good one. You can recharge them. The cheap ones will always leak at the valve.