Photos from Brad Sylvester. 2 new Ram ambulances for 43 and 53, the 2 new towers, Engine 80s new rig, Engine 9S Pierce spare in for service, and the cab removed from the wrecked Truck 47 Spartan
New towers shops ID: FDE-355, FDE-356
Danny N.
Brad Sylvester photo
Brad Sylvester photo
Brad Sylvester photo
Brad Sylvester photo
Brad Sylvester photo
Brad Sylvester photo
Brad Sylvester photo
Brad Sylvester photo
Brad Sylvester photo
Brad Sylvester photo
Brad Sylvester photo
Brad Sylvester photo
Brad Sylvester photo
#1 by Rich S. on October 25, 2018 - 8:36 PM
I believe the E-One service center is doing the work on these other manufactures rigs because the city has a great working relationship with the service center and they do high quality work (Squad 7’s pierce rebuild). And the couple of pierce Aerial rebuilds. That being said pierce was approached to do the work on these rigs and they did not jive with the city regarding any of them. as for truck 47 the ties between Spartan/ERV and the city are cut. Personally as the end user if the city never bought another Pierce or Crimson/Spartan/ERV it would be to soon. So many issues with them…. we are constantly in spares because of them.
#2 by Matt on October 7, 2018 - 9:09 PM
The local Pierce Dealer, Global Equipment has a service center in Aurora in addition to locations in Washington, IL and outside Indy. It is a matter of who will do the work and is willing to wait for the city to pay them. Once the rigs are out of warranty, anyone can do the work. BTW, the Spartan cabs for the aerials are highly customized with the notch, shorter height and recessed pump can cabinets. They are not off the shelf and probably had to be built to order.
#3 by Bill Post on October 6, 2018 - 11:09 AM
Martin that’s a good point that you made about the Spartan/Erv cab replacement being done through the E/One service center in Indiana and that also goes for the Pierce engine being serviced there. Wouldn’t or shouldn’t the local service centers from Spartan/Erv and Pierce be servicing those rigs instead of the E/One service center? It isn’t that Spartan/Erv and Pierce don’t have service reps in the Chicago area. It does seem kind of odd that Chicago is having the E/One center doing repair and maintenance work for major competing brands.
#4 by Bill Post on October 6, 2018 - 3:27 AM
Thanks for the replies. It’s good to see that Truck 47 is supposed to be getting a new cab however it’s a shame that it is taking so long. When the accident occurred 2 years ago Truck 47’s rig was not more then a few years old. That accident was a shame also and I’m pretty familiar with that stretch of Ridge where it occured. Ridge Avenue is still pretty straight there so it sounds to me like the driver that was coming from the opposite direction may have crossed the line. But I wasn’t there.
The one place where you could expect an accident is when Ridge goes under the railroad viaduct at about 6100 north and then makes a sharp turn to right going north.
It’s also a shame what’s going on between Spartan/Erv and Chicago as Chicago had been purchasing Spartan, Luverne, Crimson, or ERV engines since 1992. Chicago was one of their best if not biggest customers at least for engines. It is ironic that one of Chicago’s last three Spartan ERV engines was assigned to O’Hare. It is also Chicago’s newest engine company by company number going back in service. Chicago’s newest engines though are actually from an extended contract from O’Hare.
#5 by Martin on October 5, 2018 - 6:09 PM
Issue on why it took so long may have been the fact that the dealership is an E-one. Other than that of course they all have their issues. Ones not better than another. How are these new ambulances?
#6 by Marty Coyne on October 5, 2018 - 5:16 PM
First, an E-One cab will not fit a Spartan truck. 47 will need the Spartan cab to be repaired.
The issues with fire apparatus today are largely across the board. All companies use Cummins engines (Pierce offers Detroit too but only them) and the transmissions are Allison. They don’t make their own, so engine and tranny issues are not the fault of the manufacturer usually. The other main issue is all the electronics and emissions controls. These break down frequently and are pretty much across the board to one degree or another.
Now some manufacturers have other issues (Pierce – rusting frames mains, Spartan has had issues with breaking components) these are the issues you try and pick around. I’m not aware of E-ONE having any like that.
#7 by Martin on October 5, 2018 - 3:18 PM
Once again, what brand are they putting on the truck? New Spartan cab or E-one. I wouldn’t be surprised if Chicago had issues with e-one in the near future. So far it looks like these new engines are in the shops often.
#8 by MABAS 21 on October 5, 2018 - 11:37 AM
Bill, my comment was general speculation, as I do not have any inside information. But everyone here on this blog is quite aware of the bad blood between CFD and Spartan. I was just assuming that Spartan was in no hurry to provide a replacement cab because of a lack of priority on their part.
#9 by Michael M on October 4, 2018 - 6:54 PM
I believe the engines they have purchased the city added on to the O-Hare contract and they purchased the Tower ladders through the Houston Galviston purchasing arrangement.
#10 by Michael M on October 4, 2018 - 6:52 PM
Hopefully the new contract will be signed with E-One. With all the red tape in the city who knows if and when a contract will be signed. They put out another bid for fire apparatus after no one has sent in bids earlier this year.
The city needs to realize how much red tape it puts in place for potential vendors and with a new mayor hopefully that will change.
#11 by Bill Post on October 4, 2018 - 6:25 PM
Mabas21 why is Spartan sticking it to Chicago? I know that there is apparently bad blood between Spartan Erv and Chicago but who is more to blame? Perhaps you can elaborate. I was under the impression that Chicago is having problems with Spartan’s rigs. That is why Chicago has been purchasing E/One engines and tower ladders. Once the new contract is signed Chicago will also be getting E/One aerial ladders.
Is there any more to it?
#12 by Martin on October 4, 2018 - 5:42 PM
So are they putting on a new Spartan cab or E-one?
#13 by Michael M on October 4, 2018 - 4:33 PM
My guess is Engine 80 is in for a repair?
How many Ambulances will have RAMS by the end of this year?
#14 by Chris S on October 4, 2018 - 3:52 PM
Are the Rams for A43 & 53 new or in for repair because 43 & 53 already have Rams
#15 by MABAS 21 on October 4, 2018 - 3:42 PM
Marty, the excessive delay is probably Spartan/ERV’s way of sticking it to Chicago.
#16 by Marty Coyne on October 4, 2018 - 3:37 PM
Wrecked cab from T-47. Spartan is/was supposed to deliver a new cab. Rig wrecked in 2016. They build new ones many times faster than this repair is taking.
#17 by Danny on October 4, 2018 - 11:48 AM
Last anyone heard was that a new cab was purchased
#18 by Martin on October 4, 2018 - 11:40 AM
Could someone fill me in on the cab? Are they going to repair it since its stripped down?