Explosion while salvaging farm equipment

WantACaseLASomeday · Mar 27, 2010

The local (Wichita) daily disappointment newspaper says there was an explosion near Conway Springs, KS Friday monrning that killed a man and seriously injured another "while salvaging farm equipment." No names given.

I sometimes see ads in the photo classified on this site for tractors for sale from down that direction and just hope no one who advertises or posts here was hurt or worse.

Am praying for the families and injured man whether they use this site or not. Salvaging farm equipment ought not be a deadly thing to do but everyone needs to be careful no matter what.

railhead · Mar 27, 2010

please send me an email.

Gary in da UP · Mar 27, 2010

I seem to remember a warning, I think it was in Farm Show magazine from maybe 15 or 20 years ago of toolbars ruptureing from heat from cutting , welding, or drilling on them. This was at a time when some farmers were trying to build larger equipment rather than buying it. At the time some toolbars were filled with ballast, usually scrap peices left over from the manufacureing process, punch blanks and such. It was suspect that moisture and corrosion inside the toolbars was partly to blame for the explosions. Do's any one else recall this?

paul · Mar 27, 2010

Yup, I remember those articles.

Another possibility is he layed the acetylene tank on it's side - makes them unstable. Or any number of hazards with cutting into old stuff with fuels & the cutting torch setup....

--->Paul

YTSupport · Mar 27, 2010

Kim and I received a message concerning the victim in this accident. The names do appear to have been withheld and we will honor that, but he was a regular part of the YT community.

The link to the news report from the KAKE news was provided to us by a close friend of the victim. It is at http://www.kake.com.

It is a tragic loss.

Pat-CT · Mar 27, 2010

The poor guy, What a way to go. I think that is the most awful way to die, in the workplace or doing something you love

Ultradog MN · Mar 27, 2010

Here
video

Stuart · Mar 27, 2010

The reason that some sealed toolbars explode is because there is oil left in there from manufacturing and if oil sits long enough it gives off hydrogen. Every piece of new steel is coated with oil and it doesnt get cleaned out of the inside of the tube, then it gets sealed up completely and gives off hydrogen very slowly. So basically your talking about torching or creating a spark in a heavy wall box tubing that is filled with hydrogen.

Gary in da UP · Mar 27, 2010

Thanks for that Stuart , I didn't/ couldn't remember the paticular reaction involved. But that would be simalar to what happened to these guys with gasoline, if in fact that is what happened.

locojim · Mar 27, 2010

I've been in the salvage business a long time.
Never torch anything with a gas tank still attached..
Thats my rule.

redtom · Mar 27, 2010

Where I work they were excavating/demo'ing around our building and there were those 4-6 in upright pipes you put in to stop cars from bumping the bldg. Before torching off those pipes they were required to cut a vee in them with a portoband saw so any trapped fumes could escape.

barn E · Mar 27, 2010

Welding supply told me to use propane and oxy for cutting. I always have. Supposed to be safer.

railhead · Mar 27, 2010

yeah you can take propane and oxy and cut into anything volatile, it won't explode.

You are dangerous. This has to be a joke right? Are you serious???????????????

fixerupper · Mar 27, 2010

Using propane insted of acetelene is supposed to be safer to use because of the volatility of acet. But yes, introducing any flame to flammables will cause ignition and any extreme heat will cause rapid expansion, no matter what fuel is used to make the heat.

Anonymous-0 · Mar 27, 2010

5000 degrees and pure oxygen to boot? It doesn't make any difference what fuel it is, especially when a gas tank is involved. Used properly actylene is perfectly safe. Propane is as safer in that it won't burn back in the hoses like acetylene can. Check valves and/or flashblack arrestors will prevent it though. Dave

Stuart · Mar 27, 2010

I think they just plain hit the fuel line or something like that

locojim · Mar 27, 2010

If you hit the line with gas it will burn as will a tank full of gas..An empty tank with fumes will explode.

JMOR · Mar 27, 2010

Unfortunately it looks like they had the worst of both worlds, a partially filled tank with enough vapor to explode and enough liquid to set surroundings on fire.

Mark - IN. · Mar 28, 2010

When I was a kid, we had a neighbor that was in his barn cutting or welding on his propane Case when it went off. Days or so later his widow was out mowing and found either one of his fingers or toes in the grass.

Accidents happen, so ya just gotta be careful. Sorry to hear about this fella.

Mark

showcrop · Mar 28, 2010

Railhead, what in Fixerupper's post says anything about going near anything volatile with any torch??????????????????????

36 Coupe · Mar 28, 2010

I remember the article in farm show well.I was cautioned not to weld or cut on any closed container or boxed in area.That was in the 50s.

Ks_farmer · Mar 28, 2010

We the names have been released and It was who I thouhgt it might be. I hauled equipment for him several times over the years Very bad deal.

Ks_farmer · Mar 28, 2010

Well the names have been released and It was who I thouhgt it might be. I hauled equipment for him several times over the years Very bad deal.

railhead · Mar 28, 2010

I didnt reply to fxrupr's post but another one saying propane was safer.

4500 degrees is 4500 degrees regardless of the gas source.

Explosion while salvaging farm equipment

Member

Member

Member

Well-known Member

Administrator

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Member

Well-known Member

Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

New User

New User

Member