Steve Redick was with friends who stopped by Wirfs Industries in McHenry this week and photographed two interesting units that were in for service.
The South Elgin & Countryside FPD took delivery in 2009 of a 100′ mid-mount tower ladder by Crimson on a Spartan chassis with a Gladiator Classic cab.
2009 Spartan Gladiator Classic/Crimson 100′ mid-mount tower ladder for the South Elgin & Countryside FPD. Steve Redick photo
Crimson law tag
Spartan chassis law tag.
Clarendon Hills FD Squad 316 is a bit different with a very short wheelbase on a Dash chassis with a stubby (otherwise known as ER) cab.
Clarendon Hills FD Squad 316, a 1994 Pierce Dash ER HDR. Steve Redick photo
Clarendon Hills law tag
#1 by DMc77 on August 12, 2013 - 12:04 AM
I know it doesn’t appear to, but does the SELG platform have a pump/tank?
#2 by matt on August 11, 2013 - 8:10 PM
it works for fdny because of the types of buildings and construction and close proximity their exposures are. however just think if you have to back up and work off the rear for a point of vantage or imminent collapse you lose approx 15 ft of working space because it is a midmount which at times can be quite vital
#3 by Jim on August 10, 2013 - 9:33 PM
I would bet the ride is much better than a rear mount. I would think spotting would be easier since the turntable is right behind the cab. The bucket gets to the ground in a shorter distance. I think you could look to the FDNY. I believe all their buckets are mid mount.
#4 by Dan on August 10, 2013 - 6:42 PM
Are there advantages to the midmount ladder? It seems so ungainly. I can see the height restriction, but what else is there?
#5 by Dan on August 10, 2013 - 1:55 PM
Lake Forest has a stubby looking squad too. I think it is a bit longer wheelbased, but the cab is shorter.
That South Elgin truck is fun to see, the rear portion hangs very far over the rear axles!