Grain Dust Explosions Are Constant NEWARK, Del. - Mill managers and grain elevator operators are keenly interested in dust control and fire prevention. The occasional explosion that completely destroys a facility and kills or injures several employees is a vivid reminder that dust is highly volatile and that an ex plosion can occur in any facility if proper precautions are not taken. According to University of Delaware extension safety specialist Ron Jester, the rash of dust explosions a few years ago and OSHA’s subsequent active participation in inspections and rule making have made elevator operators more aware of potential hazards. Farmers with milling and grain storage operations also have cause for concern. Since dust, oxygen and a spark in a confined space must all be present to create an explosion, prevention involves removing one of these elements. The best way to reduce the hazard is to eliminate either the dust or the source of Crop Residue: More Than 6 Trash 9 HARRISBURG - Crop residue is more than dead plant material, which some farmers call trash. It is the key ingredient of a con servation tillage program, says John Spitzer, agronomist for the USDA Soil Conservation Service. Crop residue has saved millions of tons of topsoil on the nation’s farmlands. The dead plant materials protect the soil from the impact of the rain drop and hold the soil in place so it will not run off. “Each bushel of com results in 56 pounds of residue, said Spitzer. “That means a 100 bushel-per-acre com crop produces 5,600 pounds of residue per acre. If the residue is distributed over the field surface through the planting of next year’s crop, soil erosion is reduced by up to 90 percent. Unfortunately, many farmers remove or plow under the plant residue, leaving the soil bare and subject to excessive soil loss. Crop residue management is one of the most cost effective ways of lowering soil loss, adds Spitzer. Conservation tillage and residue management offers other savings. Fuel, time and dollars are other pluses. Conservation tillage saves fuel because there are fewer trips over the field, horsepower requirements are lower and less equipment is needed for planting. Conserving soil, water, fuel and L.F, JJ! u^ bythe i lZnu huer '*<* ? _ I Km] (iMlmiMn 7 ot U.S. S«• Butter, Berg, Farmway, •sSrtoSlKr““ ( aK» Flberdome, Junesway «EmUtntpartt/NrvtctMpport * •H'vb.*’ n Belarus s? 00 * Rrlanio Warrant) Inrludrd InPrli» buy from m*Mcmfmcro&m ROVENDALE SUPPLY Exit 31. Rt. 1-80 to 180 (Old Rt 147) to WaUontown Exit (You are there!) Ph. 717-BSMUI or 742-781 Ton Free PA 1-888-232-DALE M-F: M; Sat. W ignition, the specialist says. He suggests farmers and others with grain storage facilities follow these guidelines to minimize the chance of a grain dust explosion: • Maintain a good housekeeping program. Prevent dust buildup on equipment, pipes, floors and around grinders. • Be sure dust-tight equipment is really dust tight. Keep spouts and positive-pressure air ducts in good repair to prevent the escape of dust. Promptly fix leaks in grind ing equipment and fans. • Use a dust-control system to help reduce pressure buildup in side equipment and to keep dust from being forced into the mill. • Prevent ignition by removing foreign materials from incoming ingredients. Magnets are com monly installed in spouts leading to processing or grinding equipment. • Lubricate bearings according to manufacturers’ recom mendations to prevent overheating. • Align belt drives properly. Misalignment can create friction time is a great idea for farmers, but many want to know how conservation tillage affects crop yields and damage from weeds, insects, and disease. Compared to plowing, yields with conservation tillage generally are the same or higher. “Yields with conservation tillage are considerably higher on dry years, thanks to the water saving features of the program,” commented Spitzer. Herbicides are available if needed that will control most problem weeds. Field experience has indicated no significant in crease in damage from insects and diseases under conservation tillage. Like any successful farm ing program, proper timing in field operations, careful adjustment and maintenance of equipment and a good weed and disease control program are very important, important. If conservation tillage is a possibility for your farm operation, contact your local conservation district or Soil Conservation Service office. They can help you plan a conservation tillage system that is right for your farm. Some districts have tillage equipment available on a rental basis for those who want to try a tillage method. REBATE AS 400 430 900 . . 906 130 900 4WD 563 4WD Cab. 611 100 «4WDCab. 9»4WDCab «3S4WDCab. . . KPH-1.l Rotary Mower and sufficient heat to generate a fire. • Check tension on bucket elevators. Inspect them periodically to ensure proper operation. • Enforce the no-smoking rule in mill and grain facilities. • Install dust-tight lights and explosion-proof, plug-in recep tacles. • Practice welding safety in the mill. This includes shutting down machinery, cleaning work areas, covering combustible materials with flame-proof tarpaulins and having a fire extinguisher handy. • Be sure wiring conforms to the National Electrical Code. • Reduce buildup of static electricity by making positive metal connections between pieces of equipment and the ground. “It isn’t easy to plan, supervise and conduct fire prevention « m .57 .. 00.000 I? . ni,M« 70 >110.771 p] 70 OM.NO MUS to iu.oh Freight 70 01M00 4 70 UM7O _ , oo . oujoi Dealer » g!« PreP oo 010*0 iju .oo tuyoo L e aa ioo $lO,lOO Trade-In 100 . ~000*0 Lancaster Farming, Saturday, September 20,1956-A3S Surduc 715 j 82% Efficient. I Get more heat { from your coal. • 60,000 BTU Output • Wood & Coal Combination » Up to 24 Hour Bum Time • Convection & Radiant Heat rmr GREENWOOD COAL Available Now) "l Oat Tha fall Ruth" BOWMAN'S STOVE SHOP RO3. EphrtU. PA 17522 One Mile East of Ephrata On Rt. 322 Just Off Rt. 222 Tut I Wtd 10 6 Thur & Fn 10-8, Sat 10-4, Closed Mondays (717) 733-4973 Threat programs and practices,” Jester says. “In fact, some managers and employees may actually have a negative attitude about fire prevention. They feel that because they’ve never had an explosion in their plant, they neVer will.” But nothing could be further from the truth, the safety specialist warns. Unless proper precautions are taken, there is an ever-increasing danger of ex plosion or fire. For more information or to schedule a new extension safety program involving a grain dust explosion demonstration and a presentation on safe bin and tank entry, feed mill and grain industry personnel and farmers are en couraged to contact Ron Jester at (302) 856-7303. 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By Appointment PENNFIELD HORSE FEEDS SAVE FEED SSS —— i pcnnlWd 9 Dutch Country £ HORH I nu I vn w Mitt 1 I »»wn>Ja«e uom <LAI4 "T 50 lb Bog Bulk $137“ Per/Ton #Bll DUTCH COUNTRY HORSE FEED A 10% protein textured feed made with steam crimped oats, flaked corn, and a nu tritionally balanced vitamin and mineral pellet. It is a high energy feed formulated for the needs of the mature horse. Whether your horse is a pleasure or working horse, this high quality sweet feed will fulfill all the nutritional require ments. 1I I i J { pcnnMd § I SWIIT > | OATS 3 ' Not Wt. 40 Lbs 1 €OO9 yj 40 Lb Bag Available in 40 lb bags only NEW #BOB SWEET STEAM CRIMPED OATS This new Pennfleld product combines steam crimped oats and sweet cane molasses to give you a nutritious high ly platable, lower energy treat for your horses. Bag feed deliveries must be 1000 pounds minimum per delivery Prices are effective Sept 22, 1986 and subiect to change with gram markets Price includes 2Vi% cash dis count due 15th following month IHUtt IIffMIIIME Ifii Mg Warn '
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