[CoriolisSTORM]

Shortened version: Fire, and lots of it. In fact about 8 acres worth, all from one vehicle.
Long drawn out full story: Okay, so my dad was out cutting grass with our tractor today since its like a 30+ acre field that we live in. (They dont like me to use the tractor, so I dont.) Anyway, something on top of the engine catches on fire! Guess what's right on top of the engine on these really badly designed things? The gas tank of all things! Luckily, it of all things did not blow up. However, the fire on the engine spread to the rest of the thing (and by this time my dad is off of it), and it proceeds to take out all the grease in the grease fittings and the like, which lead it to the tires! So now, the tires are getting really hot, and finally they blow up! Now, we are in really bad drought conditions here now, and haven't seen over an inch of rain in 2 months. So, when those tires blow, they add a ton of air to an already bad raging fire. So now, it just literally explodes thanks to the tires! And then it begins to go after all of the grass and the bush hog and everything else. So, (by this time I'm down there, I get there in time to see the tires blow up and kick things up a notch), now not only do we have a burning tractor, we also have an out of control fire in 4-6 foot tall grass. So, we grab shovels, rakes, and start hauling buckets of water back from the house in a pickup to get it out. It is a very one sided fight with us on the losing end. Luckily, 2 sides of the fire were contained by a dirt road and a paved road, but the one part we had to concentrate on, 4 people and their neighbors (who were a great, wonderful help) can't keep it back.
So, we called the fire department when it all began, but since its volunteer, they can't get ahold of ANYBODY. So, it takes them about 45 minutes to get out here. By now, the third side of the fire was put out by our neighbors, and we were all working on the last side of it. Sadly a wind starts and pushes it in our direction and we have to get out of there. So, now it gets into the woods... I will admit at this point I gave up, dropped my shovel and walked the 1/4 mile back to the house and lost my lunch. Its 100 degrees outside, so you can imagine what a big fire is like on a day like that. So, it gets in the woods, and at that point finally (after about 45-70 minutes), the fire department shows up. SO, they begin to work, and finally get it out for the most part, while we are in the trees beating the rest of it outwith shovels and the like. So, finally its out. The cost? a few shovels, a few burns here and there, heat exhaustion for all involved, and a POS tractor.

[CoriolisSTORM]

Oh yeah, before I forget, the engine itself is still good, and I am thinking about making it into a buggy or something. Also, it did not happen for lack of maintenance either, as we kept it in good shape and cleaned up too. Finally, I am grateful for the neighbors help, otherwise we would still be out there with it. This happened Saturday, I will return with pics in a moment.

[MuddyV8YJ]

damn man, you guys were lucky.

i'm a vol. fireman and we're on the scene within 4 minutes...even remote back country. my jeep does her share of pulling the "lesser" vehicles through the tough spots to keep that response time down.

[SimonTuffGuy]

The fire department in my town, as well as most of the surrounding towns are volunteer and they are always quick to respond.

Glad you got it under control and nothing TOO horrible happened.

[Nuthin]

Originally Posted by SimonTuffGuy

The fire department in my town, as well as most of the surrounding towns are volunteer and they are always quick to respond.

Glad you got it under control and nothing TOO horrible happened.

Awesome job the volunteers do but yeah, sometimes, there isn't a full crew available. Glad no one was hurt.

[rowdy1]

Here in my little of the county,we have full time firefighters and many volunteers. They are always very quick to respond. Glad no one got hurt man!

[The Wreck]

Pretty much all tractors have the fuel tank on the top, Deere, Allis-Chalmers, Ford etc.

[Matt Gertsch]

Glad to hear that no one was seriously hurt, and no structures were lost. I know around here, fires get ugly really fast this time of year.

[AMK]

Good to hear nobody was hurt. What was it that caught on fire in the first place?

[XJ99]

Reminds me of Flaming Fords

My Dad took the insurance off of his AeroStar, and sure enough 2 weeks later
it went up in flames. It was do to the ignition switch recall. Just glad it didn't
burn his house down.


http://flamingfords.info/affohome.html

[CoriolisSTORM]

Originally Posted by kapplera

Good to hear nobody was hurt. What was it that caught on fire in the first place?

No clue really, we kinda figure maybe there was a fuel leak or something. Also, the thing has the exhaust manifold right next to the tank too, so we figure that might have had something to do with it, or maybe something built a nest under there and we couldn't see it. (Normally we try to keep the critters cleaned out.) Dunno. Pics tomorrow, when its daylight. I'm not sure though if a 45 HP 4 cylinder would be good for a buggy project or not... Sounds fitting to be like a modern MB to me
On a more serious note though, I think I will join the volunteer group here to help them out now that I see how short handed they are. I've been contemplating it for a while now, so now it is a definite yes!

[xxxflhrci]

What model Ford? We have a '73 7000 and a '81 4600. Both have been bullet proof. The 4600 has over 10k hours and is still going.

[arbby]

Where I live, it takes 13 min's to get the firedept. Other areas of the city are 8 mins. We have been trying to get a new one in but nooo city councel has to build a YMCA center and public pool....I wonder If i would empty the pool to put out a fire around here...?

Glad to hear no one was hurt.

[TheRifleman]

Found On Road Decintegrated.

[POLBOSS]

I would throw a BBQ to thank the neighbors and the Fire Dpt.