FIRES IN CROPS

Timaru Herald, Volume CL, Issue 22043, 16 August 1941, Page 4

FIRES IN CROPS

Sparks From Tractor Exhausts Use Of Arrestors The danger of fires being caused by sparks from tractors engaged in cutting crops was briefly discussed at the monthly meeting of the executive of the South Canterbury Farmers’ Union yesterday. The assistant Dominion Secretary (Mr O. Thomas) forwarded a letter from the Commissioner of Transport, Mr G. L. Laurenson, together with a draft by-law proposed to be adopted 'by the Ashburton County Council compelling the use of spark guards on tractors. The suggested by-law read, inter alia: “No person shall operate at any place within the Ashburton County a tractor, burnihg crude oil, unless the exhaust stack of such tractor is fitted with a proper and sufficient spark guard or spark arrestor.” A penalty not exceeding £lO was suggested on conviction for a breach of the by-law. Mr Laurenson invited the Union’s comment on the subject. The secretary (Mr A. B. Struthers) said that it had been proved that sparks from tractors had caused frequent fires in crops in the Ashburton district, especially during nor’-westers. Mr P. R. Talbot suggested that the exhaust pipes should be elevated by means of a vertical pipe. In his opinion kerosene tractors were just as dangerous as those using crude oil. The president (Mr J. C. Hay): It has been proved in Ashburton that crop fires have been caused by red hot flakes of carbon from tractor exhausts.

Mr P. R. Talbot: Even if spark guards are used the exhaust flames will shoot through the mufflers. It was agreed to seek further information from the Ashburton Executive of the Union on the subject.