Brush Trucks Have Engine for Pump, Panel Behind Cab, 1000-Gallon Tank
Two brush fire trucks designed for rough terrain were recently delivered to the San Diego, Calif., Fire Department. Built by Clark Fire Apparatus of Albuquerque, N.M., the units feature pump-and-roll operation, a 1000-gallon tank, and pump controls located on a top-mounted panel immediately behind the cab.
Fire fighting capability is provided by a Hale pump rated at 100 gpm at 350 psi and 420 gpm at 80 psi. The pump is driven by a John Deere four-cylinder diesel engine to provide operation independent of the vehicle motor. The pump engine has an electric start that is controlled both from the cab and the pump panel, and it receives its fuel supply from the vehicle fuel tank.
Pump panel behind cab
The most unusual feature of the units is the location of the pump panel directly behind the cab, situated to be easily accessible from the two forwardfacing jump seats that are fire fighting positions during pump-and-roll operations. The panel location also gives all-around visibility for surveying the fire scene or maintaining control when several lines are in use during stationary operations. The small diesel engine and pump are below the pump panel, which has removable covers on all sides except that adjacent to the cab.
Booster reels with 200 feet of 1 -inch hose are on each side of the tracks below the jump seats. For pump-and-roll use, the few feet of hose needed is pulled upward from the reels and operated by two fire fighters strapped in the seats.
There also are two cross lay beds for preconnected 1i-inch hose. These are presently being used with lines approximately 25 feet long to allow pump-and-roll operation while fire lighters walk alongside the truck.
Other hose gate locations
Other 1 ⅞ -inch discharges are on each side of the trucks and at the rear, and a 2’2-inch discharge is above the extended front pumper. This discharge is presently used with a gated wye to provide two outlets for 1-inch forestry hose, some 200 feet of which are carried in the hose bed atop the tank. Space for an additional 1000 feet of 1 ¼ -inch hose is provided in the hose bed. There is a 22-inch pump intake on each side of the truck.
The three-man cabs have a roll bar of 2-inch metal tubing behind the cab.
Ford Model LN-9000 Louisville chassis with a 162-inch wheelbase were selected for the rigs, which are powered by Detroit Diesel 8V-71T engines. A Spicer six-speed transmission drives a two-speed rear axle equipped with nospin-type differential. Minimum ground clearance is 14 inches.
