Versatility with Ponsse’s firefighting equipment

Acquiring purpose-built equipment in forestry requires a significant financial investment. Therefore, it is important that the equipment acquired is used optimally. One way to optimise usage is through designing equipment that is versatile to perform multiple activities, as and when required. The Ponsse firefighting equipment fit this purpose because it can be used successfully in different activities such as wildfire fighting, extinguishing fires from silviculture slash burning operations or it can be converted into a conventional forwarder for timber hauling purposes.

Ponsse has designed and manufactured a forwarder-mounted fire suppression device that utilizes the excellent terrain travel ability and powerful hydraulics of a PONSSE forwarder. The design has been done in close co-operation with a local department of emergency services. The idea is to use a very capable forwarder to fight the challenging forest fires in difficult terrain where other normal firefighting equipment cannot reach.

The machine has a tank capacity of 10 000 litres(2640 Gal.). The tank is built with lightweight material so that it is possible to lift it into the load space with the loader Crane of the forwarder. The tank is made out of aluminium for large capacity, light weight and durability. There are reinforcement / baffle plates inside the tank to support the structure and prevent water from moving around when driving on uneven terrain. The aluminium structure is designed to withstand the different chemicals mixed in the water for fire extinguishing purposes. The water refill hose leads into an opening in the right side of the tank top which has a steel mesh for screening out any trash and keeping the water that enters the tank clean. The powerful water canon is fed by a powerful Reini centrifugal spray pump with a maximum flow of 950L/min and a maximum pressure of 14bar. The spray pump is corrosion resistant and can withstand corrosion even when using sea water. Guiding the cannon’s direction, spray height and the spray nozzle is adjusted hydraulically by the handheld remote control. The pump is powered by the base machine’s working hydraulics and the filling pump has a lifting bar so the loader grapple can lift and lower it into the water. The refill pump is also insensitive to impurities so that mud, sand or other matters will not damage the pump internals.

A Water reservoir and pump unit are lifted on the load space with the forwarder’s own loader and fastened securely. Electric and hydraulic quick couplings are connected, and the machine is ready to work. A firefighter can use the equipment with a remote control while the forwarder operator focuses only on driving the machine and communicating with the fire staff via a radiophone. The equipment allows for the simultaneous use of a water cannon and a free handheld firefighting hose. The equipment is connected to the base machine with electric and hydraulic connectors, this can be done in 15 minutes. The spray cannon can spray up to 47 metres depending on the nozzle setting of the spray cannon. Filling the water reservoir takes approximately 7 minutes with a flow rate of 3000L/min for refilling. It can replenish itself from a pond, river, tanker or another fire truck.

Ponsse has an option to order new Forwarders as FireFighting, alternatively an installation kit can also be acquired for existing machines through Ponsse spare parts.

1.Dimensions: length 5150 mm, width 2250mm, height 2200 mm (203 x 89 x 87inches)

2.Weight appr. 1500 kg (incl. all components) (3300 pounds)

3.Tank volume 10000litres (2640 Gal.)

4.Transport rack weight appr. 1100 kg (2425pounds)

5. Spray Distance: Up to 47 metres

For more information visit Ponsse