This from Danny Nelms:
I stumbled across Hoffman Estates’ 1999 Pierce tower ladder for sale on Facebook Marketplace in Marengo, Ohio
FULLY FUNCTIONAL 99 Pierce Dash ladder truck with bucket, monitor and fog assembly. Truck was recently taken out of service. Low miles/hours and extremely well maintained. -Series 60 Detroit Diesel 500hp -1500gpm Waterous pump with waterways and 400gal poly tank -10kw Martin Marine generator w/240v electric cord reel and box. -13,900 miles -2300 hours -Dual compression brake and transmission retarder -Full LED lights -Q2 siren with internal siren brake and squeal/chirp box -Dual cab AC units Way, way WAY too much to list or picture for this vehicle, but it is an excellent condition and has been well taken care of. Every system functions properly, and extras as well. YES, this is a REAL fire truck, WE own it, and YES you can come see it, climb on it, HUG it(I do) or whatever you want. Serious inquiries can request more pictures or schedule a time to come inspect “Large Marge,” as we have named her, at their convenience. We are located in Marengo Ohio approximately 4 MI off of 71.
#1 by Matt C on April 23, 2021 - 1:23 PM
More like 113,900 miles, maybe 13,900 on the new engine. As for the Pierce haters, I drove it for 11 years and loved it.
#2 by Danny on April 21, 2021 - 10:24 PM
i reached out to the seller….according to them they have put the ladder up and rotated it and it has no known issues to them
#3 by Bulldog on April 21, 2021 - 5:38 PM
My department had a demo on a Pierce Ascendant a few months ago. I personally climbed the ladder and I have to admit it was the most unstable ladder I’ve ever climbed. The ladder was twisting and bouncing all over the place. I’m not entirely in tune on the problems mentioned below but after climbing the Ascendant, I’m a bit perplexed to why they sell like hot cakes.
#4 by michael m on April 20, 2021 - 8:01 PM
The 2020 Pierce ladder for Rockford Ladder 5 has Pierce number 34,986. It is on a Velocity Chassis just like the previous 2012 ladders and the 2016 ladder.
#5 by michael m on April 20, 2021 - 7:57 PM
That makes sense about Rockford having issues with the Ascendant aerials. Last fall I saw Rockford took delivery of a non ascendant aerial ladder for ladder 5. I guessed there were issues with the ascendant’s since thy purchased another aerial within two years.
#6 by Mike C on April 20, 2021 - 6:20 AM
No kidding! I’m waiting for the experts to chime in on here and say “Then why is Pierce the biggest apparatus building in the world?” Is Walmart the best since they’re one of the biggest retailers in the world?
I can’t think of one thing Pierce does that really WOWS me. The TAK4 has had numerous recalls, and the Ascendant has already had a very major recall among many major problems. I heard Rockford has had substantial issues with their Ascendant aerials so much to the point that they probably won’t buy anymore. Carpentersville has had sensor issues with their Ascendant. Indianapolis has had major issues so much that the rig was sent back to Pierce. It’s getting to be a joke at the low quality Pierce produces. I used to think Pierce was halfway decent. I’m at the point where I seriously think they’re probably one of the worst apparatus builders on the market.
#7 by Mike on April 19, 2021 - 6:29 PM
Mike C. I’m surprised there aren’t any more lawsuits against pierce regarding frames and torqueboxes rotting out. Just absolute garbage products
#8 by Mike C on April 19, 2021 - 10:17 AM
Before reading any of the comments in this thread, I was thinking that the aerial should be closely inspected. Carpentersville, Hoffman Estates, and Lockport all had the same rear mount tower by Pierce and all 3 of them have had catastrophic failure. What blows my mind is that Carpentersville and Hoffman Estates both continued to buy Pierce after the fact too! Just like many of the other components on a Pierce rig, these aerials are biodegradable. Total junk!
#9 by John on April 18, 2021 - 8:39 PM
So the book value is $22,984, and they’re asking $55,000. Quite a mark up.
#10 by Jeremy B. on April 18, 2021 - 12:14 AM
Yes, you’re right Rob. This was from the meeting agenda when they voted to surplus it:
“In July, Reserve Tower Ladder 22 (1999 Pierce Dash 100’ Tower ladder) failed inspection due to issues with the ladder’s platform hydraulics and structural integrity. The apparatus was sent for repair, where labor costs were quoted to be $62,197, not including parts. This quote is more than the apparatus book value of $22,984.”
#11 by Rob on April 17, 2021 - 6:30 PM
I believe one of older posts about this truck is that the ladder failed inspection?
#12 by michael m on April 17, 2021 - 4:00 PM
WOW, what low miles for a 22 year old truck!