This from Larry Shapiro:
I visited the Spartan ERV aerial plant in Ephrata, PA on Monday. The new quint for Huntley was out back having the stress test performed on the aerial ladder. Here are several photos. The unit will be shipped to South Dakota any day now (if it hasn’t already left) to have the pump module and body mounted for completion. It is a 103′ rear mount in a Spartan Gladiator chassis with the Evolution facia.
Huntley’s new Spartan ERV quint. The subassembly and ladder have been mounted to the chassis. Larry Shapiro photo
Huntley’s new ladder undergoing stress testing. Larry Shapiro photo
New ladder for Huntley FPD ready for installation of the pump and body. Larry Shapiro photo
Previous production photos were posted HERE.
#1 by rich on May 27, 2013 - 8:19 PM
Drew outstanding and true remarks on ladders.I think all fire departments should have 100 feet ladders, towers, snorkels.When buying trucks!
#2 by DMc77 on May 26, 2013 - 10:03 PM
The Evolution fascia has got to be one of the ugliest front ends for a fire apparatus ever made.
#3 by Dan on May 26, 2013 - 10:01 PM
Living in Huntley, I had the same thought. Why such a tall ladder? Now, thanks to the explanation provided by Drew, I learned something. That’s why I like this site. Always something to learn.
#4 by Drew Smith on May 26, 2013 - 9:08 PM
To finish up my previous comment, any H-style stabilizer uses a jack spread of 16-19 feet (except one 75-ft aluminum ladder). This requires the chassis to be set back 9-10 feet from the curb. Deduct the 8 feet of reach gained by the chassis when reaching vertical and now try to reach horizontal. That turns the 75-footer into a 60 footer and the 100-footer into an 84 footer. As the ladder goes up from horizontal to be at a 30- or 45-degree angle the reach is even less.
#5 by Drew Smith on May 26, 2013 - 9:01 PM
The typical aerial with H-style stabilizers is only a “100 footer” when raised to a 75-degree angle. Rarely is such an angle used even in urban areas. The first eight feet of elevation comes from the chassis (tires to turn table) then the ladder takes over.
For most suburban departments the front wall of a structure is set back 50-feet from the curb. In these arrangements the 75-ft aerial will usually reach the eve but not the ridge. A strip mall with a typical front parapet and a zero-foot setback will require a collapse zone of give or take 50 feet dictating a similar issue if a 75-ft aerial is used. So before anyone thinks you need a high-rise, a needs assessment by the responsible party should be used to determine the appropriate aerial length. If one feels only high-rises need aerials, I would then ask how tall is a structure before you call it a high-rise. Based on my statements above, a four-story building at 12-15 feet per floor would exceed 50 feet again making the 75-ft aerial limited. Finally, the longer the ladder the more horizontal sweep available particularly when operating in the victim removal mode.
#6 by John on May 26, 2013 - 8:18 PM
103′ stick for all their high rises…?
#7 by Tyler T on May 26, 2013 - 11:55 AM
Looking good, Cant wait to see it