Posts Tagged 1970 Ward LaFrance Grove ladder for Chicago

Chicago FD History – Ward LaFrance

Images and information from Dave Fornell about some of Chicago’s Ward LaFrance apparatus:

I was going through my files and came across some photos of what I’ve always considered as one of my most favorite Chicago pumpers; the seven 1970, Ward LaFrance 2,000-GPM engines.  It is interesting to note that the rigs had Cummins NTF high-torque, 365-HP engines that were needed to power the two-stage Hale Q pumps.  The five trucks delivered the same year had less expensive Detroit 350-HP powerplants.

After the great snow in 1967, rigs were specified with rear-mounted, 20,000-lb hydraulic winches.  Both the engines and trucks sported these.  Ward LaFrance, a manufacturer whose performance can be described as somewhat spotty, did a great job on these rigs.  I was impressed by the brushed stainless steel pump layout and extremely expensive, but highly accurate, Crosby black face gauges that were provided on the panel.  Never seen these used before or since.

The rigs had relatively short wheelbases, but extended bodies behind the rear axle.  This body style was also used on Ford chassis pumpers purchased later.

The engines were joined by five trucks mounting 100′ Grove ladders.  With today’s NFPA ratings, the ladders, based on Grove 18-ton cranes, would be classified as heavy-duty, with 500-lb tip loads.  All of Chicago’s other ladders (ALF, Seagrave, Pirsch) purchased around that time would be medium-duty with 250-lb. tip load ratings.

The Grove ladders were massive and heavy–too heavy to be supported properly by a single axle. The rigs proved troublesome during their service lives with continuous brake and axle failures.  The fact that they also had a 300-gallon booster tank, pump, and twin reels didn’t help either.  On the other hand, take a look at the ground ladder compliment; 2 ea. 30′, 2 ea. 40′, a 50′, and 20′ carried under the turntable.  Three roof ladders were carried each side.

I remember climbing the main of one of these rigs at a fire where the operator positioned the tip about 12″ above the parapet, just like they did with the old wooden ladders that would then drift down as you climbed them. The Grove was rigid, and even with our entire engine stretching a line to the roof for point of vantage operation, that tip never dropped an inch nor did the ladder bounce as all the others did.

Circumstances caused me to come into possession of the original factory delivery photo negatives, which are reproduced here. I’ve also included photos I shot of the engines undergoing acceptance testing near McCormick Place, The rear views show the winch installation. Also note that the two rear discharges had 3-1/2″ boat hose threads (the rigs carried a 700′ bed of it).

When I was fanning on the West Side, Division 2 Chief Dan Lynch would always special call Engine 113 to drop the 3-1/2″ into a Snorkel when he had a still and box.

Two photos show the Grove ladder in operation.  The first is at the Bedford Hotel fire on the near West Side early in the 70s.  If my foggy recollection is correct, there were two extra alarms working in the city at the time when the Bedford fire hit, and no Snorkels were available.  2nd Deputy Bill Foley, who normally was in charge of the shops, took command.  That is the first time that I had ever seen two ladder pipes and no Snorkels working at an extra alarm fire in Chicago.

The second was shot at an extra alarm on the South Side, but its location is lost to history.  Another negative scanned at the same time shows Engine 63 operating, so maybe someone can identify the company.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas.

ACD

 

Chicago Ward LaFrance fire truck

Dave Fornell collection

Chicago Ward LaFrance fire engine

Dave Fornell collection

Chicago Ward LaFrance fire engine

Dave Fornell collection

Chicago Ward LaFrance fire engine

Dave Fornell collection

Ward LaFrance fire engine

Bill Friedrich collection

Ward LaFrance fire engines delivered to Chicago

Bill Friedrich collection

Ward LaFrance Grove ladder truck

Bill Friedrich collection

Historic Chicago fire scene at the Bedford Hotel

Dave Fornell collection

Classic Chicago fire scene with Grove aerial ladde

Dave Fornell collection

More on the CFD Ward LaFrance apparatus is HERE and by entering Ward LaFrance in the search field

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Chicago Fire Department: Truck Companies over the years. Part 1

This from Martin Nowak:

I’ve talked with Squad546, who has allowed me to submit these pictures. I’ll have several posts within the next few months. For now I’d like to show some CFD truck companies over the years.

Former Tower Ladder 5 – 1988 Federal/E-One 95′
Former Tower Ladder 14 -1996 HME/LTI 102′
Former Truck (Aerial Tower) 1 – 1988 Federal/E-One 135′
Former Truck 2 – 1988 Federal/E-One 110′
Former Truck 33 – 1993 Seagrave 100′
Former Truck 34 – 1970 Ward LaFrance Grove 100′
Former Truck 62, then Truck 8 after the 1994 rehab. Pictured as a spare. 1978 Seagrave 100′
Chicago FD E-ONE tower ladder

Former Tower Ladder 5 – 1988 Federal/E-One 95′. Squad546 photo

Chicago FD Tower Ladder 14 HME LTI

Former Tower Ladder 14 -1996 HME/LTI 102′. Squad546 photo

Chicago Fire Department 135' aerial ladder Truck 1

Former Truck (Aerial Tower) 1 – 1988 Federal/E-One 135′. Squad546 photo

Chicago Fire Department 100' aerial ladder Truck 2 E-ONE

Former Truck 2 – 1988 Federal/E-One 110′. Squad546 photo

Chicago FD ladder truck Seagrave

Former Truck 33 – 1993 Seagrave 100′. Squad546 photo

Chicago Fire Department Ward LaFrance Grove ladder truck

Former Truck 34 – 1970 Ward LaFrance Grove 100′. Squad 546 photo

 

Chicago FD Seagrave ladder truck

Former Truck 62, then Truck 8 after the 1994 rehab. Pictured as a spare. 1978 Seagrave 100′. Squad546 photo

 

 

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CFD Apparatus History – Ward LaFrance

To supplement our multi-part series on the Ward LaFrance apparatus used by the CFD, Bill Friedrich has submitted copies of the 1970 Ward LaFrance sell sheets/brochures featuring these units. Previous posts can be found HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Ward LaFrance 1970 brochure with Chicago engines

This Ward LaFrance brochure features a shot of all seven Ward LaFrance 2,000-GPM engines for Chicago in 1970. Bill Friedrich collection

Ward LaFrance 1970 brochure with Chicago engines

All sides of a 1970 Ward LaFrance 2,000-GPM engine for Chicago with complete specifications. Bill Friedrich collection

Ward LaFrance 1970 brochure with Chicago ladder trucks

Both sides of a 1970 Ward LaFrance/Grove 100' ladder truck. These had 300-gallon booster tanks, Hale 2CBP booster pumps, Grove 4S-100 ladders, and "many other items of special equipment.". Bill Friedrich collection

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