The Piedmont Regional Fire Department in Italy is set to have a new valuable ally to help fire crews. Marco Traversa from Traversa Mario SNC and Federico Gruppioni, FAE Product Manager, explain the capabilities of the new RCU-75 tracked carrier.
FAE’s RCU-75 tracked carrier has been used by the Regional Fire Department of Piedmont, a region in Italy, to help fight fires and operate safely in emergencies.
Marco Traversa, from Traversa Mario SNC, a long-time partner of FAE, says that Piedmont’s regional fire department had some very specific criteria when it came to equipment.
“They wanted a very reliable machine for intensive use. The territory that the machine will be working on has dense vegetation, which is very dry and extremely flammable due to the drought that has hit northern Italy in recent years,” he says.
“Working in hard-to-reach areas or on steeply sloping terrain requires special equipment that ensures user safety and operating efficiency.”
Traversa says the remote-controlled RCU-75 is a perfect fit for the job.
“Designed for maintaining vegetation in forested and roadside areas, the multipurpose machine can be used on hillsides and in forests to create fire breaks, clear disused industrial sites that pose fire risks, and for emergency intervention,” he says.
“The RCU-75 is the ideal choice for a fire station having to deal with this type of situation on a daily basis.”
Federico Gruppioni, FAE Product Manager, says the RCU-75 is remote controlled and has the options of interchangeable heads that can quickly and efficiently perform specialised tasks.
“This RCU-75 is equipped with the FAE BL2/RCU head and a forestry mulcher with a Bite Limiter rotor. However, the fire department also requested a snow blower attachment along with a winch – all vital in rescue operations and for securing precariously balanced vehicles or objects,” he says.
Gruppioni has been amongst the action, delivering and commissioning the machine and providing training sessions. He says FAE is excited about the machine being used by the fire department.
“FAE has been selling machinery for more than 20 years, we pride ourselves on professional relationships based on mutual trust and a shared passion for quality,” he says.
“That’s why we were totally committed and excited about this important sale, knowing we could offer a superior product. The customer’s specification called for FAE branded professional wood shredders, a snow blower and a forestry winch for use in securing vehicles and other objects – and that’s exactly what this machine offers.”
The RCU-75 and set of heads were delivered to the Piedmont Regional Fire Department in February 2023.
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FAE Service deployed the machine and trained the firefighters on how to use it in a series of practical tests on trees and vegetation. The winch was tested by towing large objects, such as a fire department tanker, with great success and, following this, the snow blower was also successfully commissioned.
Gruppioni says the tracked carrier is compact, powerful and remote controlled – perfect for use in tough conditions.
“Powered by a 74 horsepower Kohler motor, it can shred timber and branches up to 15 centimetres in diameter and is fitted with a BL2/RCU head with a fixed-tooth rotor plus bite limiter technology,” he says.
“All for high output, even with low horsepower, thanks to the low power absorption.”
A key aspect of this model is its ability to work on steep slopes up to 55 degrees. The heavy-duty, steel-tracked undercarriage features a hydraulic variable track system with independent undercarriage frames, meaning it has maximum stability on rough ground.
The rubber belts are paired with a triple-flange oscillating roller system on the undercarriage, while the hydrostatic triple transmission optimises traction and attachment management.
The integrated technological system is also a highlight of the RCU-75 tracked carrier. Electronically controlled piston pumps, combined with a dedicated electronic control unit, add up to high performance.
Gruppioni says the specifics of the tracked carrier is what makes it the best machine for the job.
“The RCU-75 is guided by a remote control, with a large 3.5 inch display for superior management of all the machine and head functions, not to mention customizable function keys,” he says.
“A 2.4 Gigahertz transmission frequency ensures reliable communication. Optimally laid out and comprehensive controls, together with a balanced shoulder strap, make the FAE remote control unit ergonomic and easy to use.
“The result is high performance, long-term reliability, and simple, intuitive operation.”
Gruppioni says FAE is hopeful that the new RCU-75 will assist the Fire Department in many years to come.
This article was originally published in the June edition of our magazine. To read the magazine, click here.