Breathing dust while baling

[ray66v]

I have worked as a bodyman by trade, still do sometimes.

I wore dust masks, and respirators all my life.

Like wearing knee pads, you have to get used to a mask. Once you do, rather than feeling uncomfortable with it on, you don't want to be without it.

If you get one like this, which has an exhale valve, it allows the air out easier, making it easier to adjust to wearing it. 3M 8511 N95 Industrial Respirator with Valve S-6779 - Uline

I just use a basic mask without the valve.

With reasonable care, they all last a while.

When it gets dirty, pitch it.

Watching people wearing masks on the DIY channel, it seems for some reason, people can't understand how the straps go. I thought it was obvious. One goes above the ears, one goes below them. Otherwise, you get gaps that let the dust in. And, you may as well not bother wearing it.

Gently squeeze the metal band in the nose piece, until it fits your face.

 

[Tigershark]

3M Half Facepiece Reusable Respirator 6300/07026(AAD) paired with 3M 2091 filter and for the last year I haven't had any problems with anything I do on my farm, I look like an idiot (probably) when mowing, cutting, raking, tilling etc but I haven't gotten sick since wearing it

 

[crowbar032]

I wore a neoprene dust mask by Wolfbike when mowing a few years ago. I have pretty bad allergies and the mask worked as promised. It was easily cleaned by rinsing out with warm water and let dry overnight.

I got a "Wolfsnout". Best particle/dust mask i've ever used. Doesn't load up, low restriction. Very comfortable even in warm weather and glasses don't steam up. I wash mine with soap and water when i need to clean it.

I had one of those and it worked well while it lasted, but came apart pretty quickly.

 

[stuckmotor]

I used to wear a mask when feeding hay. The ones with the little valve helped a great deal in keeping my glasses from fogging. I wore the mask because of my alergies. There is a condition called "farmer's lung" don't know much about it but suspect the mask might help prevent that too.

 

[Oldoak]

I used to wear a mask when feeding hay. The ones with the little valve helped a great deal in keeping my glasses from fogging. I wore the mask because of my alergies. There is a condition called "farmer's lung" don't know much about it but suspect the mask might help prevent that too.

Yes, it will. Any thing to help prevent inhaling foreign material into the lungs helps with allergies but most importantly lung and breathing problems later in life. Some of which develop into life threatening complications.

Those are just the kind of dust masks I use. The masks with the little valve in. Like you said, helps prevent my glasses from fogging and exhaling warm breathe much more comfortable. I even wear one when mowing grass, blowing around dust and pollen aggravates my allergies.

I first started wearing something similar long ago as a boy working in a feed mill, bagging grain. Some of the "old timer" used to tie bandanas over their nose and mouth. Looked like a couple of "outlaws" working at the mill. Recalling good ole' memories now!

 

[crowbar032]

Like you said, helps prevent my glasses from fogging and exhaling warm breathe much more comfortable.

The ones with the little valve helped a great deal in keeping my glasses from fogging.

My concern was glasses fogging up as well. I'm going to get some of these to try out.

 

[Oldoak]

My concern was glasses fogging up as well. I'm going to get some of these to try out.

They are more expensive than the ones without the little valve. But I find they are well worth the little extra cost.

 

[zzvyb6]

Why not just mount a powerful DC fan on the bale case to blow the hay chaff, dust, mold, dirt and bugs way behind you. 12V automotive HVAC fans are all over the place in junk yards. I've often considered mounting a mechanically driven fan on the feeder fork drive on my 14T, but there are other options for the different baler brands and types.

 

[ray66v]

If you have the nose piece properly fitted, and the straps in the proper place, your glasses should not fog up.

That indicates a leak. If there is a leak, it leaks on inhaling, as well as exhaling. If it leaks, it's useless. So, it's kind of a good warning sign.

I use a standard dust mask with my glasses all day. If I get fog, I just re-adjust the nose piece.

 

[dragoneggs]

If you have the nose piece properly fitted, and the straps in the proper place, your glasses should not fog up.

That indicates a leak. If there is a leak, it leaks on inhaling, as well as exhaling. If it leaks, it's useless. So, it's kind of a good warning sign.

I use a standard dust mask with my glasses all day. If I get fog, I just re-adjust the nose piece.

Agreed. Good quality silicone rubber mask should easily conform to most faces. Getting the straps adjusted properly once should eliminate any leaks/fogging. If you are fogging it is not fitting right.