New Komatsu 895 Firefighter impresses at live demonstration
Attendees were able to watch a demonstration, then take an up-close look at the machine.
MAIN PIC: The audience at the demo included forest owners and fire department personnel. All images courtesy Komatsu Forest
Komatsu Forest recently hosted a demonstration of the new Komatsu 895 Firefighter, a forwarder equipped with the RL21 firefighting kit, developed by Rodwell Logging of Bombala, NSW. The event, held at the HVP headquarters in Rennick, Victoria, drew strong interest from across the local forestry and fire management sectors, with nearly 50 attendees present.
The demonstration began with a general introduction, followed by a key presentation from Peter Rodwell, the principal designer of the RL21. Peter provided an insightful overview of the development, design, and practical application of the RL21 system, drawing on Rodwell Logging’s firsthand experience using the equipment in wildfire response.
A standout feature of the RL21 is its quick-mount design, which allows it to be easily installed or removed from a standard Komatsu 895 forwarder. This flexibility enables the machine to be quickly converted between fire response and conventional forwarding operations.
The RL21 is equipped with a custom-designed 20,000-litre water tank integrated into the forwarder’s log bunk. A high-pressure pump powers dual water cannons mounted on either side of the headgate, capable of delivering up to 450 litres per minute with a range of up to 40m. For added safety, a 3000-litre emergency reserve tank can be activated from the cabin to douse the engine and cab, giving the operator a critical window to retreat from danger if required.
Following the presentation, the machine was started up by Steve Witherow MD of Tabeel Trading and driven along a fire break near the HVP facility, where the water cannons were demonstrated in various configurations. Afterwards, the machine was parked and its access panels opened, giving attendees the chance to inspect the inner workings and system components up close. Garry Kennedy from Kennedy Trailers was on hand to answer any queries on the RL21 water tank fabrication process.
The demonstration was well received by the diverse audience, which included forest owners and managers, fire department personnel and resource management professionals from companies such as HVP, OneFortyOne, PF Olsen, AKD, CFA Victoria and Green Triangle Fire Alliance.
Brett Jones, Managing Director of Komatsu Forest, took a keen interest in the RL21’s development, visiting Rodwell’s to inspect the prototype and finalised a marketing agreement with Rodwell Logging in late 2024. Since then, momentum has accelerated. Komatsu Forest delivered its first RL21 Fire Tanker in Dec 2024 and a second unit on a Komatsu 895.3 Speed Shift was delivered in June this year. Komatsu Forest currently have a third RL21 in stock with two more units in production for future sales.
Jones said, “The RL21 Fire Tanker will be a game changer in Australia for fire prevention and fire management. The key is the machine’s versatility to access a fire at ground level, which has not been possible with conventional road vehicles.”
Rodwell Logging’s innovation highlights the vital role of local expertise in addressing complex environmental challenges. Their commitment to community safety, practical engineering, and resilience sets a benchmark for bushfire preparedness in Australia.
