High temperatures, dust and long working days can increase the risk of machinery overheating, breaking down and going on fire.

Met Éireann has issued an additional Status Yellow weather warning for high temperatures across most of the country in the coming days.

The warning will apply to Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath, Cavan, Donegal, Munster and Connacht.

The national forecaster said the alert will be valid from 12:00p.m tomorrow (Wednesday, July 15) until 6:00a.m on Friday (July 17).

These high temperatures bring additional pressures for farmers and contractors but there are a number of steps machinery operators can potentially take to combat these.

This includes keeping an eye on engine temperature and also ensuring a thorough and appropriate service has taken place.

Be proactive

In addition to a scheduled service farmers and contractors should also be proactive to prevent problems developing.

For example when applying grease to a machine, operators should first ensure that grease nipples are clean of dirt and debris to prevent it from gaining access to the bearing when pumping grease.

Following this they should sufficiently grease the machine and clean any excess off the nipple. This will prevent dust and dirt from sticking to it.

Cleaning down machinery is also a must before putting machines at work on hot summer days.

During silage season, significant attention to detail and care is required when cleaning balers.

Due to warm dry conditions and the open environment a baler operates in there can be a higher risk of a potential fire even with a few small clusters of grass.

Operators should be careful to make sure there is no silage trapped anywhere in the baler - whether it be in between knives or off to the side of the balers chamber.

It is useful to remember that compressed air can be a big help when trying to clean dust and dirt off machines while servicing them.

Risk

Another potential risk is in relation to tractors, as radiators, intercoolers and air conditioning condensers can gather dust and debris.

If cooling systems lose their ability to remove heat effectively, engine temperatures can rise, which in turn will cause significant damage and increase fire risk.

Preventative maintenance

Agricultural operators should always be on top of their preventative maintenance.

Operators spend significantly more time in their machinery during summer months, and components are more likely to break under the stress of increased hours and higher temperatures.

Combined with frequent services and clean-downs, preventative maintenance can significantly reduce downtime with machinery.

If you are aware of a part that comes under increased pressure during the summer heat, frequently checking it and replacing it early could prevent costly repair bills.

During Tractor Safety Week earlier this year, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon highlighted the need for good safety practices before operators use agricultural machinery.

He said: "It is vital that tractors and machinery are checked each morning before work begins.

"By identifying and addressing any wear and tear or damage, a farmer could prevent a serious incident".