[AT] Rain (and mold vs burn)

[Steve W.]

Hay barn fires start because of bacteria growing in the damp hay while
it tries to dry. The heat from the bacteria cause the hay to dry and
smolder for a long time. This causes the heat to build until the hay
combusts. The main culprit is packing the mow instead of leaving some
room for air to circulate between the bales. The heat generated would
have room to escape instead of feed itself. It is normal for hay to get
warm as it cures.

If you put really wet hay in the mow it will just rot since the bacteria
haven't started to work yet, they need to get a bit dry first.
In this area we have been real lucky in that many farms have started
using the large round bales and storing most of them outside. Of course
then we get grass fires when they burn off the old hay so it's kind of a
toss up. Although chasing those flames in the grass is a PITA. With a
barn fire it's just protect any close structures and let it burn out.
You can try putting water or foam on it but it usually does little or
nothing  and leaves a BIG mess. Amazingly the insurance companies are
figuring out that it costs MUCH more to demolish and rebuild half a
burnt out structure than to let it burn out and then clean it up.

Steve Williams


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "charlie hill" <chill8 at cox.net>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group"
<at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2005 9:32 PM
Subject: Re: [AT] Rain (and mold vs burn)


> Carl,
>
> One of my future projects is to make a B out of 2 junkers.  One of the
> junkers was the victim of a hay barn fire.  I don't know if it was
rained on
> or not.  Next time I see the guys that owned the barn I'll try to
remember
> to ask them.  It's been a few years.  I don't know if they will
remember.
> Personally it doesn't make sence to me.  Wet is wet and hot is hot.
>
> Charlie
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "carl gogol" <cgogol at twcny.rr.com>
> To: "Antique tractor email discussion group"
<at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2005 7:50 PM
> Subject: Re: [AT] Rain (and mold vs burn)
>
>
> > Farmer --
> > Interesting comments about wet hay and mold.  When I was growing up
in
> > central NY, the operative discussions down at the feed store about
putting
> > up damp hay was that it would mold, but not burn.  Hay that had been
> > rained on and then stored damp  would burn in the barn.
> >
> > I wonder if anyone else has heard of or believes this line of
reasoning
> > (or old wives tale).  I certainly have no experimental evidence
either way
> > but wonder if anyone has seen such a study done or is just another
piece
> > of country lore?
> > Carl Gogol
> > Manlius, NY
> > (2) AC D-14, AC 914H
> > Simplicity 3112 & 7116
> > Kubota F-2400
> > ----- Original Message ----- 
> > From: "Indiana Robinson" <robinson at svs.net>
> > . I'm
> >> surprised he hasn't lost a barn. I noticed that this year he plowed
up
> >> his
> >> alfalfa fields and is not growing any. Sorry but I would rather
just bale
> >> a
> >>
> >
> >
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