Pierce Puc

[DRAFTMASTER30]

While on vaction this weekend in PA I was a a huge wedding reception a few Pa firefighters stated that a local, no name given in conversation, fire department had a new Pirece PUC delivered and Pierce had sent them a concerning letter about putting the truck out of service due to a recall on shafts from trani to pump, Chief was instructed not to pump with truck and put it out of service due to some pump systems burning out. Anyone heard anything like this? Our department was looking at a PUC and wanted to know real story.

[FWDbuff]

I heard a similar rumor, that a Fire Dept was contacted by Piece, and advised to either remove their unit from service alltogether, or remove the PTO shaft and run it without the pump.

[LT2410]

I too heard the same today as well and it was exactly what you stated. The story is either true or it's one great rumor. Maybe 807 can shed some light on the story. Does anyone have a copy of the letter?

[Rescue101]

Got an E-mail from a trusted source with the same info.I was aware of the capacity question but it was my understanding the PUC pump was hydraulically driven which would make for a damn short driveshaft.Anyone care to elaborate? T.C.

[KyleWickman]

I heard the rumor was started by the new owners of E-One. Apparently they offer Tang instead of Kool-Aid.

[sven73]

Rescue 1- The PUC is driven by a drive shaft off the REPTCO. I never actually measured one but I would say its about 2-2.5 feet long.

There was an issue with a PUC in Penna. as the thread starter indicated. However the unit has been repaired and is back in service. There was never any letter sent out by anyone at Pierce to anyone owning a PUC.

[Tower47]

I'm sure it was operator error!

[Rescue101]

Thanks Sven.I've looked at a PUC a couple times but as the vehicle has no particular appeal to me I never studied the "innards"too thoroughly.I seem to remember a hyd pump or motor near the trans,Generator?. T.C.

[ScottAvery]

TC you will get all the opportunities you want to come on over and check ours out up close very soon.....Oh yeah did you get over that little sugar fix on saturday??

[Command6]

I've looked at a PUC a couple times but as the vehicle has no particular appeal to me I never studied the "innards"too thoroughly.

101,

Same here. I was hoping someone would explain the power train. I understand the pump is manufactured for Pierce by Darley?


C6

[neiowa]

PUC has a power divider sandwiched between the engine and the Allison. Looks like probably a planetary transmission. A short drive shaft back to the midship pump. Hydraulic pump on the Allison would be the hydraulic genset.

Lots of rumors here but apparently no good info on the linage/origin/history of the powerdivider (cement mixer, ARFF, Oshkosh mil, etc). Question of if it is a well tested/proven (by time/use vs. Pierce marketing) item or a new piece of gear? Rumored that will not handle the UL pump test at 1500gpm rating.

[sven73]

Rescue- Could be for either the generator or the compressor for CAFS.

As far as the pump not meeting UL test at 1500 how could the truck be advertised and sold as a 1500 gpm unless it did in fact pass the UL test? Especially since Pierce has been shipping them now wouldn't a fire department get a little suspicious if the pump tag said 1250 on it when they ordered a 1500? Let's face it there is paperwork supplied by UL with each truck that has a pump on it certifying the test results.

[neiowa]

Rescue- Could be for either the generator or the compressor for CAFS.

As far as the pump not meeting UL test at 1500 how could the truck be advertised and sold as a 1500 gpm unless it did in fact pass the UL test? Especially since Pierce has been shipping them now wouldn't a fire department get a little suspicious if the pump tag said 1250 on it when they ordered a 1500? Let's face it there is paperwork supplied by UL with each truck that has a pump on it certifying the test results.

And that would be the point that's of interest (and the problem reported).

[Rescue101]

I'll be more interested to see what the pump does on annuals five years down the road.I have valid reasons for the suspicion it won't be pretty but I'm under a "gag" order so let's see what happens. T.C.

[tomwnh]

From what I have been told by quite a few people that have been looking at the PUC you can get 1500 GPM but if you are at draft, which is the way you do a pump test, you have to feed the pump with two 6" suctions. The old FMC RAM pump was the same. You could get the 1500 rating but needed two suctions on that also.

[firepiper1]

The old FMC RAM pump was the same.

Wow, a blast from the past! We had a 1987 FMC that was a very reliable pumping truck. Who made those RAM pumps?

[jeremy1213]

got a better question where can you get parts for a ram pump?

[sven73]

Neiowa- The problem reported was a drive shaft issue according to the thread starter. How does that tie in to what I said in my post?

[tomwnh]

If I remember the casting for the RAM was done by Waterous and the pump put together by FMC. It was FMC's design but they did not have the ability to do castings. Some parts are still available but mostly on the shelves of their old dealers. One that I know who used to be a good source is Har-Rob in Syracuse, New York, (800) 724-2590 or (315) 422-0730. There was also an ex FMC employee down in FL that used to have a lot of parts but have long since lost the contact info. Maybe someone can help with that?

[jeremy1213]

Well my father used to sale fmc's and serviced them he still has some parts left but not what we need