Combine fire where the header is disconnected to save the john deere from burning up. Everyone in this video has firefighting experience, do not attempt.
Some guys in our area (North Central Montana) have started hanging a 200-400 gallon water tank under the right front corner of their grain cart, with a hose reel and a hydraulic powered water pump. It's always in the field, always has an operator, and is one of the fastest things in the field. Everyone has water trucks, but they are usually unmanned and sitting at the end of the field, so take longer to get to the fire.
We had a problem with Fire in Australia, Queensland and NSW during the Harvest and it was imperative to make sure that the header and the combine were kept clean and clear at all times. The idea of a water tank attatched to the Combine is a great one, one that we should consider.
I'm glad you guys are all OK. Thank you for showing us city people a side of farming that is rarely seem. Your reflexes are fantastic. I don't think I would have had the presence of mind to grab a camera and start recording once that header started burning!
Well played. I've been through only a couple of those and watching your video brought back the sheer terror of the event even after 40 years!. So glad it turned out as well as it did.
Great job saving the 780. That took some quick thinking unders crazy stress. And to those saying that he should put down the camera, first you don't know what happened before the camera was turned on and the head was a total loss before then. Second, if he had put the camera down what would you suggest he do?
If you do have water extinguishers, put dish soap in them. It helps foam up and put out much more than the water alone. Regardless, a fire like this is very difficult to contain, and can move quickly with high temperatures and wind. Fast thinking all around resulted in a lot of money saved. Damn good thing a tractor and disc was handy to put out the field (Per the comments below), people have used plows to save buildings and farmsteads many times in the past.