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Working fire in Chicago, 1-20-20

Photos from Tim Olk of a working fire in Chicago at 121 W. 113th Place on 1/20/20

Tim Olk photo

Tim Olk photo

Tim Olk photo

Tim Olk photo

Tim Olk photo

Tags: Chicago FD Engine 104, Chicago Fire Department, Tim Olk, winter fire scene photos

This entry was posted on January 24, 2020, 7:00 AM and is filed under Apparatus on-scene, Fire Scene photos. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

9 Comments

• #1 by Tim on January 30, 2020 - 1:46 PM

  

  Mike C I never said I see the longevity out of the L9. My point was they are fine for what everyone in the Chicago area is doing. Not many hills or mountains here and I do agree that the L9 defintely is not for ladder trucks.

• #2 by Mike C on January 30, 2020 - 6:58 AM

  

  Rusty – I would like some insight as well on your comment about the L9 having issues feeding an aerial.

  Tim – We all know Orland Park and Naperville don’t run 11,000 – 15,000 per year on each rig. Yes, they are both busy departments but these engines work harder to perform up to the operators expectations. At the end, they do not have the same longevity. I’ve transported rigs with mid size blocks and big blocks through the hills and mountains. There’s not question, the ISL or L9 make it through but the ISX or X go right through without issue. I don’t think the mid size block engines are bad by any means, but I don’t see the longevity out of them like you do with the big blocks. Naturally, I’ve noticed the Cummins motors to be higher maintenance than the Detroits. In the end, I think the big blocks are worth the extra money for a department like Chicago and the other higher call volume rigs. Take note that FDNY, LA, and Chicago all utilize the big blocks. Thanks for your input and insight.

• #3 by Tim on January 26, 2020 - 9:19 AM

  

  Rusty, in what kind of a scenario are you discussing when an L9 struggles to feed a tower ladder? If the engine is on a decent hydrant and the lay isn’t too long there shouldn’t be anything maxed out. I don’t know about 4 inch supply line but with 5 inch this is easy for the L9. Lots of surburban depts. run these now. Usually in the 400-425 hp range with some going to a 450 hp rating. Also, big blocks won’t fit in certain chassis.

  And as far as steep hills…..it better be geared correctly. Not designed for high call volumes? Go to Naperville or Orland. They run the wheels off their Cummins rigs. About 15,000 and 11,000 runs anually respectively. Is their reliability questioned because they’re smaller engines? Early on they were and mainly the issues were emission system related. They were chewing up turbos and cylinder heads because the emission tolerances were off. Cummins redesigned a few things and all that nonsense had settled down.

• #4 by Mike L on January 25, 2020 - 2:45 PM

  

  Thanks, Bill. I figured that was the case after I posted. Forgot the 113th & Michigan 2-11 was at the same time. Appreciate the info. Thank you!

• #5 by Mike C on January 25, 2020 - 11:52 AM

  

  I can see how smaller departments opt for the mid size engine but I’m seeing a lot of bigger towns (Elgin, Naperville, Rockford) opt for the Cummins L9 which I’m not sure I agree with. The cost impact for a big block is pretty substantial. I think it’s more than $20k extra now but the L9 isn’t designed for high idle hours, high call volume, steep inclines, and high pressure pumps. I will say the L9 is nice and smooth and surprisingly moves quite well. I personally think a big block better serves bigger departments. I saw a smaller town recently spec the mid size Cummins (L9 or ISL9) on a tandem axle chassis. That engine has to be working hard and will eventually be tired and worn out.

• #6 by Rusty on January 24, 2020 - 7:04 PM

  

  Mike C you are 100% Correct. L9 vs the big block X12 is not much of a competition at all. If you want heavy duty you go big block. It’s like buying a RAM 1500 truck w/ the little V6 or the hemi V8. The V6 gets roughly the same gas mileage as the hemi because it has to work a lot harder than the hemi V8. Watch a L9 try to feed a Tower Ladder up the rear saddle. It struggles. High RPM and pretty much maxes out the Engine. An Engine w/ a big block not much over IDLE. It’s like buying a lawnmower. If you have a small yard you can get away with a homeowners Toro from Home Depot. Multiple acres you may want a Commercial Z-Turn Heavy Duty Mower.

• #7 by Bill Post on January 24, 2020 - 3:14 PM

  

  Mike L, there was a 2-11 alarm fire going on not far away at 11034 S Michigan which happens to be in Engine 62’s still district. The fire at 121 W 113th pl was also in Engine 62’s still district. The 2-11 might have been struck out by the time of the other fire however most of the companies were still there. I’m pretty sure Engine 104 was a change of quarters company.

• #8 by Mike L on January 24, 2020 - 1:51 PM

  

  Long run for 104. They should be a 2-11 engine on this if they even go. Was there another fire going on?

• #9 by Mike C on January 24, 2020 - 7:43 AM

  

  Glad Chicago still specs rigs with the big blocks. If the politicians knew how much less the mid size (Cummins L9) was they would probably make fleet change the spec.

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