Agriculture
In addition to the fuels and lubricants required to operate agriculture machines, combustible straw, dust, grains, and the chaff that builds up during the harvesting process are a fire risk.
Besides the common causes of fires on other pieces of heavy equipment, agricultural machines need to deal with rodents, birds, bees, and other small animals which may chew on the electrical insulation. These animals commonly nest in the engine compartment or exhaust areas to keep warm, however the heat these components generate can cause the nests to ignite during normal operation.
Aside from the increased risks, a fire on an agricultural machine is often exacerbated by the time it takes rural fire departments to reach the remote locations in which they operate.
Proper preventative maintenance and operator education on the proper use of fire suppression systems are essential in reducing damage to the heavy equipment used in the agriculture industry.