Small Crawler Tractor for Wildland Fire Suppression and Management

This Phase 2 project will develop and demonstrate two Small Crawler Tractor (SCT2) prototypes for wildland fire suppression and management activities. Phase 1 successfully demonstrated the feasibility of using the Phase 1 unit (SCT1) for these applications. The SCT2 will have more power, weight, traction and rollover stability to meet requirements identified in Phase 1. However, it will be small and light enough to cause minimal environmental impact, and for easy transport on highways and typical forest roads by light truck and trailers, and by helicopter airlift to remote fire areas. SCT2 attachments will be improved and expanded from those developed in Phase 1. The remote controlled SCT2 will allow the number of hand crew firefighters to be reduced, and will perform functions in hazardous conditions (e.g., steep slopes) by a remote operator. Hence, firefighter safety will be dramatically improved. In addition, the SCT2 capabilities will reduce costs and minimize environmental impacts . Phase 2 demonstrations will be performed on sites selected by USDA Forest Service Missoula (MT) Technology Development Center, a CRADA partner on the project. Additional demonstrations will be performed at sites selected by private sector partners.