Better Safe than Sorry
September 19, 2022 When John Deere rolled out its next generation of cotton harvesters in Fall 2021, the machines were essentially new from the ground up with improved technology to help increase harvest efficiency and productivity.
The company also recognized that other issues could impact harvest depending on environmental conditions, fiber characteristics at picking, and time of harvest. One of those potential hazards is fire. And although the new harvesters don’t come factory-ready with a complete fire suppression system, they do come with the ability to quickly add a third-party system to help minimize fire impact and to protect a substantial investment in an essential piece of equipment.
“We know there are several manufacturers in the industry that offer fire suppression systems, and those can easily be added to the CP770 pickers and CS770 strippers,” says Christopher Murray, John Deere Marketing Manager, Cotton Harvesting. “The 770 machines have an option for an extended accessory platform with load carrying capability so growers can add suppression systems, toolboxes, or other items to these harvesters.”
That’s important, because the risk of a fire on board a cotton harvester is always present, even under normal conditions.
“Cotton strippers and pickers have always had fires,” says Steven Monaco, Owner of 1st Fire Safety. “That’s been a part of life for everybody. You have all the fibers and all the static electricity, and there’s a lot of dust and parts rubbing together in that machine. “It’s always been a situation where a fire could occur.”
The fire protection system developed by 1st Fire Safety is specially designed for today’s cotton harvesters. Their compressed air foam system protects the baler, accumulator, and engine compartment with seven strategically placed discharge nozzles, which work in tandem with a compact 60– gallon concentrate capable of producing 1,200 gallons of finished foam.
The system also includes real-time heat detection sensors that deliver instant notification of temperature change in the accumulator and engine compartment, a built-in alarm, and a 50-foot fire hose. It was also designed for fast, easy, and budget-friendly refill and reuse.
The package price for the system includes all equipment, service, installation, training, and warranty.
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