APPARATUS INNOVATIONS/DELIVERIES
by John Malecky
Upper Pottsgrove, PA, which borders Pottstown, has added an FMC Roughneck pumper to its roster. The unit, mounted on a Ford Model C, six-man tilt cab chassis, features a Detroit diesel engine and Allison automatic transmission, it is red with a white roof. The pump is an FMC 1,000 gpm and the water tank holds 1,000 gallons. Hose carried consists of 1,000 feet of 3-inch, 500 feet of 1 1/2-inch and two 200-foot, 1 1/2-inch preconnects in a tray forward of the pump panel. Each preconnect lies halfway into the tray allowing one attack line to face out from the right and left sides of the truck. It also carries a 5 kw generator and two telescoping floodlights.
The pumper was originally purchased to replace a 1959 International/Harwick 500 gpm unit. However, it was decided to keep the older pumper and utilize the new one as a multipurpose tanker-pumper since there are only three hydrants in the jurisdiction which come off a Pottstown main. The larger pump and tank allow for city/rural capability.
Circle no. 45 on Reader Service Card
by John Malecky
in service at the Fort Washington Fire Co. No. 1 of Upper Dublin Township, PA, is a Mack CF686 1,250 gpm pumper. This unit has a Maxidyne diesel engine, Allison automatic transmission and Waterous pump. The color is lime yellow with a white roof.
Features on this unit include an air operated front suction valve, two auxiliary 3-inch suctions, one 5-inch discharge, five 3-inch discharges and two 1 ’4-inch preconnects with 200 feet of hose each. The hose bed carries 1,900 feet of 5-inch hose and 1,000 feet of 3-inch hose. Mounted on the left side is flexible hard suction hose.
At the rear of the pumper is carried a Humat valve and provision is made for assembly of a hose table consisting of a shaft and a plate which is inserted under the rear step and makes repacking of the large diameter hose easy when there is no electric reel. Hose fittings are stored on three slide out trays in a tool compartment next to the pump instrument panel. These trays are the product of the fire company.
The pumper usually runs as a “Hydrant Truck” and pumps water to a companion piece at the fire. However, the unit is set up so that it can use a “Hydrant to Fire” lay and feed itself if necessary.
The pumper was purchased with particular attention to an industrial park nearby which the fire company protects.
Circle no. 42 on Reader Service Card
