Mounting a Fire Extinguisher

[Varmintmist]

Nope, just replied to the next post. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Phred]

On all vehicles I like to mount one that you can get to easily from the cab/seat and one that you can get to from the ground.

While I have not heard too many stories about tractors catching on fire, I have heard of fires under the dash board of pickup trucks. This may be the day you regret having the only fire Extinguisher under the dash.

Fred

 

[TractorLegend]

>quote: I also have an ext in the house ( in a decorative box marked extinguisher) in the kitchen. The barn has an extinguisher mounted on one of the support posts, as well as an extinguisher and 1st aid kit just inside the attached garage hooked to the barn.<

I think firemen would agree 90 ish percent of fires at home are kitchen related. We keep a smaller halitron extinguisher there- it leaves no residue. Last fire was due to unattended toasting almonds under the broiler on Thanksgiving. I know baking soda works too but as a consumable i dont think it too wise to rely on having it when needed- unless you paint the box red and nail it to the wall /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
If you own aircooled VW's Id have two or three extinguishers in the garage for the occasional car-b-q. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Brucester]

I did search the forums but the word Extinguisher yielded no results, which I find hard to beleive.

Anyway, it seems like an extinguisher would be a good thing to have on the tractor, so I have two questions:

1. What is the best kind of extinguisher for tractor duty
2. Any good mounting ideas?

Seeing as how most run on diesel.. Something rated for electrical would work. while field mowing for a customer last year.. I could have used one.. Well.. I had one and completely spaced out when this happened..

 

[kebo]

I did search the forums but the word Extinguisher yielded no results, which I find hard to beleive.

Anyway, it seems like an extinguisher would be a good thing to have on the tractor, so I have two questions:

1. What is the best kind of extinguisher for tractor duty
2. Any good mounting ideas?

This is where I mounted mine at. The screen is home made, but I was able to bolt the bracket for the FE right onto the expanded metal. Works good, lasts long time!

 

[Redlands Okie]

Looks like a nice setup Kebo.

ABC type fire extinguishers always handy to have since they pretty well cover most problems.

Get some kind of boot oil or preservative on that mallet holder and it should last a long longer. Leather will dry rot even parked in the shop and your going to get some vibrations and what not stressing that leather. No need to loose or run over a good tool.

 

[ray66v]

It may feel good to have one, but a 3lb dry chemical fire extinguisher is not much use, beyond a very small fast response kitchen fire.

Engine, or electrical fires on vehicles, may involve intense heat. Unless you can completely overwhelm it, that heat will reignite the fire, as fast as you put it out.

I have seen a 10lb ABC, completely fail on a hot engine fire.

 

[oosik]

Something else to think about - I've been "at the scene" of three vehicle fires. Two pickups and one auto. The pickups had extinguishers mounted in the cab - above and behind the rear seats ---- the auto had the extinguisher under the drivers seat. All three were engine fires - in all three incidents the passengers made it out safely. In all three - the extinguisher was forgotten as the passengers exited the vehicles. In all three - there was ABSOLUTELY NO CHANCE to re-enter the vehicle and retrieve the extinguisher.

Makes no matter what type, size or where the extinguisher is - if its not in your hand as you exit the burning vehicle --- chances are about 100% that it never will be.

 

[Redlands Okie]

I will gladly take the option for a slim chance of a fire extinguisher being of use versus the the choice of NO chance without one

 

[oosik]

NO,no - Redlands Okie - - you miss my point. An A,B,C extinguisher can be put to good use on an engine fire. Just give SERIOUS thought on where to hang it. Does nobody any good if it can't be gotten to..........

 

[Redlands Okie]

NO,no - Redlands Okie - - you miss my point. An A,B,C extinguisher can be put to good use on an engine fire. Just give SERIOUS thought on where to hang it. Does nobody any good if it can't be gotten to..........

Mainly replying to Ray66v post. Sorry for any confusion. Your post cover several good points.

 

[ray66v]

I will gladly take the option for a slim chance of a fire extinguisher being of use versus the the choice of NO chance without one

That's your prerogative.

Just want people to be realistic, in their expectations.

I have had the opportunity to find out first hand, how little you can do against a hot fire like an engine fire, with even a 10lb extinguisher. The heat just keeps reigniting it, as fast as you put it out.

 

[mcfarmall]

I found some really nice stainless steel quick release band style mounting brackets on the internet for less than $10 shipping included. You can mount them to the ROPS with a couple of Click-Bond fasteners that do not require drilling. If you decide to drill some holes in the ROPS prepare yourself to be crucified by the Safety Lawsuit Nazis.

 

[Redlands Okie]

That's your prerogative.

Just want people to be realistic, in their expectations.

I have had the opportunity to find out first hand, how little you can do against a hot fire like an engine fire, with even a 10lb extinguisher. The heat just keeps reigniting it, as fast as you put it out.

I think your correct on a continues petroleum based fire.

However there are many other situations that can cause a flame that the extinguisher can help with.
Once the fire and resulting collateral issues are taken care of and one sets down and does the “should have, could have” thought process, having a extinguisher available will help a lot. Not to mention any legal issues coming up and being held accountable for being totally unprepared.

 

[webcrest]

Dry chemical powder extinguisher will be best option because its extinguishes most classes of fire which include wood,paper,liquid,electrical etc

 

[RjCorazza]

I keep mine beside the seat, tucked inside a small section of 5” fire hose.
ABC is the best all-around type for auto / tractor use. As mentioned by a previous poster, extinguishing a hot engine fire is likely to be difficult with any dry chem. Water is king on 99.9% of fires, and NOT just class “A” fires.
Also I didn’t see anyone mention the corrosive qualities of dry chem extinguishers. Burn it down to the axles or destroy the wiring and electronics... your choice. Get the fire out when small and a dry chem is an excellent option.

 

[RalphVa]

I have mine mounted inside one of those paperwork containers that Frontier gives us with every implement. The cut down container is bolted to the front of my right fender on the 2025R.

Ralph

 

[Industrial Toys]

I'm concerned that if you do need an extinguisher, a very small one might not be big enough. A welding operation recently caught a tractor on fire, then burned through the plastic gravity fed fuel line.

Or an electrical fire where there is a lot of stored energy in the battery until it is expended or a conductor burns through. That can take time.

Often extinguishers are deployed in the wrong spot or can't access the fire proper.