umfd-330

New pictures are posted on darienfire.org
@Izz&Bob: The legend is that this was the 1st in Connecticut, the 1st anywhere with bucket breathing air, and the 2nd 'scope in New England. That's the legend, anyway.
@norestriction: We did a fair amount of research on factors with regard to metal fatigue: With Seagrave and other experts. Provided we didn't ever drop it into a fire, drive it into a wall, or let it corrode, there is no risk of fatigue. The inspections were clean. The only damage was very superficial on one of the flies, from an old dislodged wear pad, which was insignificant. Obviously, you can't rule this out with all old booms, but being the original owners, knowing the equipment's history, and the quiet nature of its 40 year life, it's a good candidate for re-use.
@gotta: The height restrictions are pretty well in-hand. The old truck actually didn't fit under our lowest underpass after the rear-end was overhauled. The new one might, but it will be really close. As for being money well spent, a truck this capable, versatile and safe; protecting property as valuable as we have to, is worth a lot more than what we're laying out. For me personally, it was not an easy decision to make. With the committee, this option was the subject of a ton of scrutiny. The end result should be extraordinary.
@shadow: Make sure you let us know when you're back in town!

Somebody finally figured out how to install missle launchers on an ambulance.

Somebody finally figured out how to install missle launchers on an ambulance.

We certainly feel the same as you regarding the versatility of a single axle scope; and asked the same questions about risks. Our conversations delved into the methods for testing strength of aluminum and steel, general metallurgy, superstructure design, and history. Having scrutinized the entire concept with many professionals at Seagrave and elsewhere, our conclusion was that there really were no additional risk factors to re-mounting a 40 year old boom onto a new chassis. It's essentially the same risk as buying a new one.
If it ever comes to pass between now and the boom's 80th birthday (an idea that made many jaws drop in the Seagrave conference room) that a boom section had to be replaced, the solution is to build a replacement section, which they say they're capable of doing. Some outside research suggested also that the quality of the aluminum and steel used in 1971 was higher, in general, than it is now.
There are weight and overall vehicle height (OVH) differences between the old boom-bucket-superstructure designs and those of the Aerialscope II. I don't know the specific contributing factors to the weight differences, but I believe the new design does not leave enough design margin on the rear axle to run with a single axle. We're getting a Telma, and a 10 KW Harrison generator which add some weight, offsetting it with a smaller but ample engine (2009 ISL-425) and aluminum roll up doors, with several thousand pounds of margin to spare on the rear.
We can't wait to get it either. When it arrives, you'll be among the first to know!
An Aerialscope would rule in Norwalk.
Joe