We did have to shut down one combine for overheating. I don't mean engine overheating, but smoke coming from somewhere else. It's hot, things are overheating, and there is straw and grain dust everywhere. It is a fire waiting to happen. Our fire department has responded to one combine fire in Stephen this year. Fortunately no one was hurt.
We were harvesting the field right by the house. Conner asked to drive his little 90CC 4 wheeler out to ride in the combine, and make laps around the house. He was so excited to have an open field to drive in instead of the same old tracks he made during the summer.
I hadn't seen Conner drive by the house for awhile so I called Brian and he said "Yeah, let me see, HE'S ON FIRE." Click.
I grabbed 5YO Holly and we took off an another 4 wheeler. When I got to the field, I see the grain cart tractor driving way too fast, and realize Grandpa John is racing to Conner. There was an emergency.
I reach Conner, and he's running in circles screaming "Don't be mad, don't be mad." He was physically fine, but in panic mode. The 4 wheeler was on fire and the stubble around the 4 wheeler was black. All the fire extinguishers in combines worked, and a disaster was averted. Our guardian angel earned her wings that day. It was hot and windy, and we were so fortunate no one was injured, and the fire did not spread throughout the field.
I wasn't mad at Conner until I found out about his helmet. As he was jumping off his 4 wheeler, he took off his helmet and set it on the seat! So we had a melted 4 wheeler, and a melted helmet. I still tease him about that. Go ahead and throw $100 into a fire.
I do park my car outside after returning from the wheat field. I don't want it in the garage with an underbody full of hot straw. Better safe than sorry. Safe harvest!