thanks Karl
thanks Karl
Tags: Smeal buys LTI and Snorkel, Smeal Fire Apparatus
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#1 by David on June 27, 2014 - 4:37 AM
Mitch thanks for the info. Well it’s a five year contract so I really hope that they’ll show something up before the deadline. I think it’s in their own interest to put the new platform out asap so they would be able to market it, same with the Smeal Snorkel.
#2 by Mitch Hartman on June 26, 2014 - 7:44 PM
David on how far Rosenbauer is on the new Squads, as of April they were not even started!
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#3 by danny on June 11, 2014 - 3:50 PM
rosenbauer could very well just scrap the who development and go with smeal booms under the snorkel name ,,, i mean if were going on fantasy
#4 by Bill Post on June 11, 2014 - 3:43 PM
Gnarl toad, I realize that you are talking about a “baseless rumor” that has not been substantiated which in reality would be meaningless.
This so far appears to be a nice fantasy.
On what grounds would Chicago be able to break the contract with Rosenbauer (assuming that any of this story were true)? I think that if this were a true story then Rosenbauer would have to be the one to break the contract.
Unless this story was to be substantiated then it is more plausible that Rosenbauer would complete the order as David mentions it probably would take some time for Smeal to get a new “Snorkel” assembly line up and running.
As of now bar further developments it is most likely that Rosenbauer will be building the Snorkel Squads. Had this happened about a year or two earlier then the contract would probably have to gone to Smeal and possibly Spartan ERV however this is all meaning less speculation unless it gets substantiated now or in the future.
#5 by Gnarldtoad on June 11, 2014 - 3:01 PM
OK, I will get the baseless rumor mill going. So when Chicago stops Rosenbauer from building the squads and goes to Smeal to have them built on Spartan chassis that will be great. Even better once a relationship is established between Smeal and the CFD it will open the door for one of their 125′ ladders to show up for AT1. Getting CFD back into the tall ladder world. I say this in confidence that “I heard it from some Guy at Fleet!”
#6 by Crabby Milton on June 11, 2014 - 6:16 AM
I’m wondering who if anyone will buy the fragments of AMERICAN LaFRANCE? The AERIALSCOPE is long part of SEAGRAVE as that was a smart move after MACK got out of the business. I guess it’s a matter of perspective on who builds the best or worse. I’m a Wisconsin boy so I’m partial to PIERCE with SEAGRAVE being a distant second or third. ROSENBAUER is serious about being a single source builder since they build that COMMANDER chassis(love that F 150 front end 🙂 ). SUTPHEN has been around forever and while they are small, they are obviously doing somthing right and I never hear too many negative things about them. The SPARTAN empire seems to be one of the big three and I hear mixed mostly good things with them.
#7 by David on June 11, 2014 - 5:11 AM
I think it’ll take Smeal some time until they will be able to put out the updated (original) Snorkel, so probably after some year and a half of development there’s quite a chance that the Squads will be finished with the Rosenbauer’s own boom.
Would be interesting to see how far did Rosenbauer get with their version of the snorkel, but they don’t seem to share much info about the rigs.
#8 by 0.03 on June 10, 2014 - 10:09 PM
Sorry I also forgot to answer the first question. Personally I like some o the smaller builders HME, toyne, Marion, custom fire. As for major builder e-one has always seemed to build decent equipment at a fairly reasonable price.
#9 by 0.03 on June 10, 2014 - 10:07 PM
I just see what pierce is charging for cookie cutter apparatus and issues people have with them and think people can do better. Pierce was at one time a great builder but got to big and seems like they’re all about money not building a good product….as my name says it’s just my 0.03
#10 by Bill Post on June 10, 2014 - 9:59 PM
0.03 ,What current manufacturer (in your opinion) makes the best apparatus or do you think that they all are mediocre?
Seagrave in many peoples opinion was at one time considered to be the best,however they have since practically priced themselves out of the market.
KME ( keep mechanics employed) was considered to be amongst the cheapest and shoddiest, however as of now even New York City is ordering their engines as well as Los Angeles City
#11 by 0.03 on June 10, 2014 - 6:22 PM
That’s great news. If I remember right. LTI built ladders for pierce and Smeal before they “designed” their own. Atleast with Smeal buying this you will be able to get a snorkel or telesquirt on pretty much any chassis. Best part is pierce , which sucks because they’re overpriced and quality that’s lack luster, didn’t get them. I could see pierce ruining them like every other company they have bought before.
#12 by Mike on June 10, 2014 - 4:42 PM
It surprises me that Smeal is making this purchase with the wide variety of aerials they already had to offer. I was hoping to see Seagrave purchase LTI with their limited aerial selection.
#13 by Brian on June 10, 2014 - 4:27 PM
This could be a game changer for Snorkel users
#14 by Josh on June 10, 2014 - 4:18 PM
We will have to wait and see! Also I can see Bedford Park and other area departments that used to have snorkels, look into getting new ones…Very Cool
#15 by Bill Post on June 10, 2014 - 2:33 PM
Now this is good news. Maybe Smeal and Rosenbauer can make a deal where the “Snorkel” could be mounted on a Rosenbauer Chassis for the Chicago order instead of having Rosenbauer trying to “reinvent the Snorkel”.
#16 by Michael M on June 10, 2014 - 2:06 PM
That’s Great news! Will it make a difference in regards to the new Squads Chicago is building? Will they now have an easier time building the Snorkel?
#17 by Ted Martin on June 10, 2014 - 2:05 PM
WOW!!! maybe Chicago will throwout their deal with the cheap, ” we will do anything to get your business, and not stand behind our work” firm Rosenbauer and have the snorkel squads built by a apparatus manufactured that is a more reputable builder