Front-mounted Mektron Fire Shield tackles harvest blazes

Having struggled to put out a baler fire using conventional extinguishers, contractor and machinery dealer PJM Agri decided to up the ante. The result is the Mektron Fire Shield: a front-mounted 700-litre water bowser with a petrol-driven pump, hose reel and lance.

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This combination gives 20 minutes of continuous water flow to dampen down flames and tackle any areas that reignite. Power for the 40-litre/min pump is provided by a Honda GX270 petrol engine and, with 25m of hose on board, it should be able to reach most rear-mounted implements.

Water is delivered via a dedicated fire-fighting lance that has a lever to adjust the flow. One setting generates a fine mist, while the other sends out a 20m jet. To make the outfit more than just an insurance policy when baling, the firm, which is based on the Norfolk/Suffolk border, offers a detachable swath roller.

Additional features include LED lights, a side storage locker and slots for pallet tines so that it can also be carried around on a tractor loader or telehandler. As the unit is 2m long, there is the option of adding a camera kit to improve visibility when pulling out of gateways onto the road. List price is £5,000, or £6,000 with a swath roller.