Source: TNC2 INDUSTRIES, INC. submitted to NRP
SMALL CRAWLER TRACTOR FOR WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
SMALL BUSINESS GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0196182
Grant No.
2003-33610-13067
Cumulative Award Amt.
$75,000.00
Proposal No.
2003-00035
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
May 15, 2003
Project End Date
Nov 14, 2003
Grant Year
2003
Program Code
[8.1]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
TNC2 INDUSTRIES, INC.
(N/A)
WEIPPE,ID 83553
Performing Department
(N/A)
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.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1225310202040%
1225310303010%
4025310202040%
4025310303010%
Knowledge Area
122 - Management and Control of Forest and Range Fires; 402 - Engineering Systems and Equipment;

Subject Of Investigation
5310 - Machinery and equipment;

Field Of Science
2020 - Engineering; 3030 - Information and communication;
Goals / 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.
Project Methods
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.