For 100 years, the portable pump has been an indispensable tool for fire departments during operations. To mark this anniversary, Rosenbauer is producing 100 pieces of FOX 4 with expanded standard equipment.
The fourth generation (FOX 4) of the Rosenbauer portable pump has been on the market since 2016. With its unmistakable performance, light weight and user-friendliness, it ranks among the premium products. But the roots of the portable pump go back to the year 1913, when initial efforts to produce a portable small pump were first made. In 1923, the breakthrough came in the form of a 10 hp and 120 kg light engine-driven portable pump. This laid the foundation for our success story, with over 4,000 engine-driven portable pumps being manufactured in the first few years. In the 1930s, Rosenbauer developed its own motor, which was installed in the R24, R50, and R60 portable fire pumps. During the WWII, further development came to a halt, as material shortages made uniform designs in the form of the TS800/80 and, from 1943, the TS8/8 necessary. After the end of the war, Rosenbauer continued to use its own two-stroke engine and engines from ROTAX in Gunskirchen for around 15 years before switching to engines from Volkswagen.
The first portable pump with a piston-driven suction pump, the AUTOMATIC 75 VW, became a bestseller in 1958. In 1987, a new generation of portable fire pumps was launched with the FOX, which was developed from scratch. By using BMW motorcycle engines, it was possible to make the FOX lighter and more compact with improved pump performance. In 1996 the second and in 2005 the third generation followed. A large number of these portable fire pumps are still in use - a confirmation of the high quality and long service life of Rosenbauer products.
"To date, we have produced and delivered well over 20,000 units of our FOX portable fire pumps. This makes it one of the most successful products in our range, and one of the best-selling portable pumps in Europe. Our FOX is particularly popular in Germany. I am happy to say that I have accompanied the development and marketing of our FOX for over 15 years," says Roland Weber, Global Product Manager for Components at Rosenbauer.
FOX 4 Edition 100
In addition to the well-known benefits such as low weight, intuitive operation, and high performance, the special edition offers the following additional functionalities: A mechanical overheating protection system, which effectively protects the pump from overheating by automatically opening the valve at a water temperature of approx. 60 °C. After cooling to approx. 55 °C, the valve closes automatically. The integrated pump pressure regulator with inlet pressure monitoring and cavitation warning prevents possible damage in the event of a pressure drop. If the pressure falls below the minimum due to a problem in the water supply (for example, hose position, insufficient hydrant flow rate), the engine speed is automatically reduced, which stops the suction and prevents damage to the hose.
The FOX 4 Edition 100 can be ordered now. Regardless of the sales channel, first-come-first-serve principle applies.
The Rosenbauer Group
Rosenbauer is an international group and a reliable partner to fire services around the world. The company develops and produces vehicles, fire extinguishing systems, fire and safety equipment and digital solutions for professional, industrial, plant and volunteer fire services and systems for preventive firefighting. Rosenbauer is represented in approximately 120 countries by a sales and service network. With revenues of € 972.2 million and around 4,100 employees (as of December 31, 2022), the Group is the world's largest firefighting technology provider.
