Tractor fire

[RhysT]

We had the horrible experience of one of our tractors decided to self ignite in the middle of the night. Tractor and about 40 bales of haylage are gone but luckily it was parked near by the sheds but not in one.
Is it possible to put isolators on them to limit the fire risk as we don't have a proper machinery shed but would always prefer to keep them in.

 

[Pilgrimmick]

Not good! At least no one was hurt, small mercies.
Fitting an isolator is an easy job, well within most people's ability.

 

[RhysT]

Ye we've been so lucky we almost always park the tractors in the barns. Just by chance yesterday that I didn't!

 

[Mursal]

Sorry to hear that .............
Yes, isolator on the battery terminal usually the negative one as its easier.
Usually the higher the amperage the better the contact area and lasts longer, but not always.
You will need 400 to 600 AMP or even higher (so it wont give trouble) if available. Don't fit cheap, or they'll give trouble ......
Click for suggestions

But we would cut the negative earth/ground strap instead ........
...............

 

[RhysT]

Thanks a lot. Gonna get on it.

 

[Rust]

Massey isolator are 80 notes [emoji52]

 

[bodo]

Sorry to hear that .............
Yes, isolator on the battery terminal usually the negative one as its easier.
Usually the higher the amperage the better the contact area and lasts longer, but not always.
You will need 400 to 600 AMP or even higher (so it wont give trouble) if available. Don't fit cheap, or they'll give trouble ......
Click for suggestions

But we would cut the negative earth/ground strap instead ........
...............

I have a tractor that I need to fit an isolator to as it drains the battery. I had assumed that it would need to be fitted to the positive, but will it do the same job if fitted to the negative?

It will be a lot easier fitting it to the negative

 

[GreaseMonkey]

Sorry to hear that .............
Yes, isolator on the battery terminal usually the negative one as its easier.
Usually the higher the amperage the better the contact area and lasts longer, but not always.
You will need 400 to 600 AMP or even higher (so it wont give trouble) if available. Don't fit cheap, or they'll give trouble ......
Click for suggestions

But we would cut the negative earth/ground strap instead ........
...............

I always go as close to the battery on the positive cable, but that's just my way of thinking.

 

[Mur Huwcun]

It will work exactly the same and much safer on the negative side. All it does is breaks the circuit.

 

[bodo]

Thanks for that, I shall fit it to the negative.

I had been struggling to work out how to fit it to the positive without running the risk of something shorting against it

 

[Pennine Ploughing]

remember if you fit an isolator, you will loss the radio memory and have to put the code in everytime you turn it off

 

[Hesston4860s]

remember if you fit an isolator, you will loss the radio memory and have to put the code in everytime you turn it off

Not if you fit a small fuse across the battery isolator terminals.

 

[bodo]

Good point about the radio, but it is an aging MF390 so the radio is intermittent at best and has to go some to be heard above all the noise [emoji1]

 

[Mursal]

but will it do the same job if fitted to the negative?

It will be a lot easier fitting it to the negative

.......................

 

[Pennine Ploughing]

Not if you fit a small fuse across the battery isolator terminals.

ok if isolator is on live side of battery, no good if on the earth

 

[Hesston4860s]

ok if isolator is on live side of battery, no good if on the earth

Works on my 4755 !.

 

[Mursal]

Yes but the fuse will never blow ............

 

[Mursal]

But now that I think about it, if its the only earth the short has (isolator open/turned off), it will have to blow if over loaded?
Does that make sense?

 

[Pennine Ploughing]

Works on my 4755 !.

more likely to have a fire if you ask me, the radio may well be earthed through the arial and if something is drawing a lot of power the only earth is the radio, so more likely to go up in smoke

 

[Mursal]

Good idea, @Hesston4860s ..........