SBIR-STTR Award

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Remote control operational capability would be highly useful in hazardous operations, such as chemical spill cleanup situations. The Phase 1 work will demonstrate the utility of the small crawler tractor (SCT) for wildfire management and control operations, and lead to a design aimed specifically at wildfire management and control applications. The SCT offers high potential for other forest applications as well, such as campsite and hiking trail development and maintenance. The range of attachments that will be available will extend the SCT utility range to many other agricultural and non-agricultural applications. Objectives: The proposed SBIR Phase 1 project will demonstrate the feasibility of using Small Crawler Tractors (SCT) for wildfire management and control. Design improvements specifically for wildfire management and control applications will be researched and developed in Phase 1 for implementation in a Phase 2 prototype. Approach: The SCT's small size, weight (3500 lbs), agility and other design features will enable it to perform critical wildfire tasks effectively and efficiently. These include hazardous fuel removal, wildfire fighting operations, and restoration of regions damaged by firefighting operations. Many tasks now performed manually will be accomplished with the SCT while dramatically reducing life-threatening risks to firefighters. One application is building firelines where each machine will replace many firefighters. The system's low weight enables airlifting SCTs to remote locations for firefighting action inaccessible by ground equipment. The machine's low cost and potential for remote control operation offers the capability for deployment in high-risk scenarios without placing firefighters in harms way. The SCT's light ground pressure will be beneficial for operations in the vicinity of riparian or other sensitive areas. An existing SCT prototype designed for general applications will be used in Phase 1 feasibility tests with the support of the USFS through a CRADA. Non-technical summary: Remote control operational capability would be highly useful in hazardous operations, such as chemical spill cleanup situations. The Phase 1 work will demonstrate the utility of the small crawler tractor (SCT) for wildfire management and control operations, and lead to a design aimed specifically at wildfire management and control applications. The SCT offers high potential for other forest applications as well, such as campsite and hiking trail development and maintenance. The range of attachments that will be available will extend the SCT utility range to many other agricultural and non-agricultural applications.

Keywords:
forest; wildfire; fuel; removal; fireline; restoration; tractor; crawler

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.