Ponsse Oyj Releases Firefighting Equipment To Be Installed In The Load Spaces Of Forwarders For Extinguishing Wildfires

Ponsse (Ponsse Oyj) has announced the release of firefighting equipment to be installed in the load spaces of forwarders for extinguishing wildfires efficiently.

“Forest machine is the most natural and effective way to access a forest fire area. Operations in difficult terrain come as second nature to them, and they have more than enough capacity in their hydraulic system for demanding conditions,” said Juha Haverinen, Ponsse's Product Manager of forwarders.

Firefighting equipment 

Juha adds, “When the rescue authorities asked us if we were willing to develop this product together, we were ready right from the beginning, because rescue professionals and our customers had a clear demand for firefighting equipment.”

The firefighting equipment is available for PONSSE Buffalo and PONSSE Elephant forwarders. The minimum loader requirement is PONSSE K90+.

Extinguishing forest wildfires

The firefighting equipment is delivered to the fire location as a single package

The firefighting equipment is delivered to the fire location as a single package and after it has been connected to forest machine hydraulics, the equipment is ready to operate.

The 10 cubic meters water tank of the firefighting equipment can be filled with its own pump, from a natural water source or the tank of a fire truck. The water cannon feature a range of 47 meters and a turning radius of 360 degrees.

Effective firefighting system          

• An economical solution - The forwarder can be engaged in productive forest operations when the firefighting equipment is not needed.
• The water tank withstands the use of various chemicals mixed with water, as well as seawater. It is also light enough to be lifted into the machine load space.
• The powerful pump can fill the water tank from a natural water source or the tank of a fire truck.
• The wireless remote controller can adjust the water spray direction vertically and horizontally, as well as the spray pattern.

Equipment handled by rescue personnel

The local rescue department is responsible for planning firefighting activities. A properly trained rescue employee is responsible for the safety of firefighting. Rescue personnel operate the firefighting equipment and guide the forest machine operator's actions when putting out fires.