Kesla Oyj is launching a new multi-purpose forest trailer at FinnMetko 2024 suitable for forest fire operations, municipal and industrial wet works and for traditional wood transport.
Tractor contractor's business rarely comes from a single source and the jobs depend on the season. Kesla’s new solution opens new opportunities in tractor contracting as the HydraX trailer adapts to the seasonal work needs. Main applications are wildland fire operations and wet works in built surroundings; the higher up and further the water needs are the better the HydraX is suited to the job.
KESLA HydraX™ + PPO® ForExt = forest fire stop
Traditionally the forest fires have been extinguished using water but due to climate change fires are getting extreme and plain water is not always enough to stop the fire. Furthermore, in wildland fires the rural conditions complicate the firefighting as the fires are typically located off-road. Creating a firestop is a new method for fighting wildland fires; the burning hot fire is not fought with water, but instead a fire-extinguishing agent is used to create a so called firestop to a pre-designed location where fire is stopped from spreading.
Finnish companies PPO-Elektroniikka and Kiilto Oy have combined their expertise and developed a forest fire-extiguishing agent ForExt for which KESLA HydraX™ is especially designed for. Powerful jet stream can wet the ground in over 50m reach or trees even 30-40m high. In addition, a grapple can be used to open fire nests and simultaneously shoot fire-extinguishing agent to a minor fire. An environmentally friendly 1:100 water-ForExt admixture forms a kind of a film on top of the biomass which then prevents ignition and re-ignition. ForExt storage and dosing are integrated to the HydraX systems which automatically forms the correct mix-ratio.
Wildland fire fighting is always a game of logistics against time and everchanging conditions. The HydraX uses natural water sources, and no time is wasted in water logistics. The unit can operate in water supply logistics feeding the fire brigade’s tank trucks or in a small forest fire the unit can be driven to the middle of the forest and be used as effective front-line fire fighting unit carrying over 10 000l of water to a difficult off-road location. In large scale logging sites or plantations, the HydraX can operate as a first-hand fire extinguishing unit, and it allows also the daily machinery washing works on-site to minimize fire risks.
Same unit, one operator, also for industrial and municipal wet works
Outside the forest in built surroundings the HydraX is an efficient solution for any mobile wet works e.g. infrastructure washing, dust control, wetting works and fire security. Applications can range from washing road signs, bridge railings, tunnels, industrial yards to washing large storage halls inside out. In forest industry the unit can be used to wet the round wood piles or woodchip stockpiles during hot summer season, or it can act as mobile fire security unit securing industrial hot works. In built surroundings the water filling can be done for example at a port, from a rain water reservoir or from a pressurized fire post.
Two versions
The HydraX is available in two specifications. Basic version requires manual moving of suction head and suction hoses and is equipped with a 50m hose reel with an ergonomic manual nozzle. Fully equipped HydraX comes with a drawbar mounted Kesla 325T loader with a nozzle on the boom, suction head and hoses are moved using the loader and most importantly rear part of the unit is equipped with a powerful cabin controlled water monitor and hydraulically adjustable nozzle for shooting the water or water and ForExt admixture to maximum reach.
Hydrax performance in a nutshell:
- MR30KMH EU-wide on-road approval; for forest 2WD hydraulic drive assistance
- uses water from nature; filling time for a 10 500l main tank is ca. 6min
- 200l tank for ForExt fire-extinguishing agent; filling safely from the ground level
- three powerful water nozzles:
- at rear: fog or jet stream, 1100 l/min, up to 54m reach or 45m height
- at loader; fog or jet stream, 150-300 l/min, up to 30m reach
- at hose reel: 50m hose + handheld nozzle, fog or jet stream, 150-300 l/min, up to 25m reach
- transforms flexibly between wood transportation and HydraX use
Kesla personnel will be presenting the HydraX throughout FinnMetko at stand 30/36. On Friday 30.8, the ForExt forest fire-extinguishing agent experts from PPO-Elektroniikka Oy will also be present at the stand.
More information:
Kesla Oyj
Tapio Pirinen
Business Development Manager
Tel. +358 40 583 8089 | tapio.pirinen[at]kesla.com
Aappo Hyttinen
Product Manager
Tel. +35840 170 6464 | aappo.hyttinen[at]kesla.com
Kesla – Your Responsible Partner
Kesla is a responsible partner that develops machinery, technology and services for the sustainable success of our customers in the forest and beyond. Kesla has three core areas of operation: tractor equipment, harvesting machinery, and vehicle-mounted and industrial cranes. The Group’s net sales in 2023 amounted to EUR 55.4 million, of which 59% was attributable to export operations. Established in 1960, Kesla has production facilities in Joensuu, Kesälahti and Ilomantsi as well as a sales office in Appenweier, Germany. Kesla currently employs around 260 people. Kesla’s A series shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd.
