large brush truck

[onlocation]

My department is kind of looking at ideas for a new large brush truck. we currently run a military 2 1/2 ton for our large brush truck. though there is nothing wrong with it, as new members join and aging members retire, there are becoming less personnel capable to drive it. it has no power steering and doesnt get around to fast and in the pasture you just kind of gotta let the steering wheel go where it wants. anyway we have looking at the idea of an international 4X4 chassis with a walk through bed. we'd like to have it where a single firefighter can ride behind the cab and is capable of working off both sides. i have tried to google this and cant find any other rigs out there, was wondering if anyone else has similiar rigs to this or has input on this truck. yes i know you are not supposed to ride the truck, but i live in south texas where it is wide open and a grass fire can get spread fairly wide quick.

[txgp17]

What ever you do, make sure you get a class A foam system on it, even if you do nothing but run off-brand dish washing liquid in it at 0.1%. It makes a huge difference.

Take a look at the Navistar International MXT-MV chassis. It's a pickup-truck sized unit aimed at the military. GVWR start at 14,000 lbs, and max out at 19,000. It uses Michelin 365/80R20 XZL tires, which when converted to inch measurements would be 43" tall x 14.5" wide. More tire means less surface pressure, which keeps you from getting stuck in loose terrain.

A non-armored version with an extended "wedge" type bumper & remote control bumper turret would really add to your arsenal. It offers and Allison 2000 series automatic, and a 6 liter 300 HP/600 lb-ft diesel.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_MXT-MV

MXT pictures

[BDVFD784]

There is a place in Arlington called Wildfire something.I couldn't get thier site to work for me but they have the truck you want. The site is www.brushtruck.com .I looked at one they built for Cranfills Gap and it was nice.750 Ford 4x4.I think it had a Cat engine. 800 gals of water.The Texas Forest Service might pay for it if you haven't already recieved a truck from them.Built right here in Texas.

[SilverCity4]

We run three military 2 1/2 tons. We installed aftermarket air-assist power steering units on all of them. It's unbelievable how much easier it is to drive them. It costs $800 to retrofit one truck, but it's well worth it.

http://www.cimtel.net/~killerb/302.html

[onlocation]

the air assist steering might be the cheap way out for now
there is a lot of builders using the ford commercial chassis, but we kind of wanted to stick with the international as we have a tanker, pumper, pumper on the way, and a rescuer pumper on the way, that are all that chassis. the mxt might be a deal to look at. wanting to put about 700 gallons on it. will probably put some type of turret gun or water curtain system on the front to use when you end up by yourself
as for foam we currently just use "wet water" and pour some in everytime we fill up and it works great
we recieved a truck about two years ago through the tfs. so i dont know how often you can recieve one
we are getting the rescue pumper through the fema grant

keep on with the input

[smokybear]

Hi,
Was just up at the nys chiefs show and saw a brush truck you might want to look at. The company is called CET fire pumps.(WWW.fire-pump.com). They have built truck for co. in ny similar to what tou want. Although it is on a F-550, they built in 2 spots for FF's to stand on the back of the truck for a pump and roll operation.

Good luck

[txgp17]

I think 700 gallons of H20 would really be pushing it with the MXT. If it max'es out at 19,000 GVWR, then most of available payload is for water and tank. Leaving very little room for personnel and equipment.

You really have to see some pictures of the MXT next to other familiar vehicles to appreciate it's size.

[ChiefKN]

What ever you do, make sure you get a class A foam system on it, even if you do nothing but run off-brand dish washing liquid in it at 0.1%. It makes a huge difference.

Take a look at the Navistar International MXT-MV chassis. It's a pickup-truck sized unit aimed at the military. GVWR start at 14,000 lbs, and max out at 19,000. It uses Michelin 365/80R20 XZL tires, which when converted to inch measurements would be 43" tall x 14.5" wide. More tire means less surface pressure, which keeps you from getting stuck in loose terrain.

A non-armored version with an extended "wedge" type bumper & remote control bumper turret would really add to your arsenal. It offers and Allison 2000 series automatic, and a 6 liter 300 HP/600 lb-ft diesel.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_MXT-MV
Attachment 14833
MXT pictures

Cool, does it come with the class "a" missles?

[BDVFD784]

We have a 5 ton 6x6.They have power steering.We bought it from the Texas Building Procurment.They sell excess Federal stuff.They have all kinds of military trucks.Can only be purchased by non profit org.We gave $3200 for it.

[mcaldwell]

I think 700 gallons of H20 would really be pushing it with the MXT. If it max'es out at 19,000 GVWR, then most of available payload is for water and tank. Leaving very little room for personnel and equipment.

You really have to see some pictures of the MXT next to other familiar vehicles to appreciate it's size.

And as i learned last weekend after talking with the IH dealer at the BC Chief's Show, the IH 300 hp engine that is the max available in the MXT is only 500ft/lb of torque.

I spoke today with my local IH dealer about a different truck, and the discussion drifted to the MXT. He sold one recently, and he said he ended up chipping it for the owner soon after because it had no pulling power with a good load.

Combine that with the fact that the MXT chassis comes in at over $80G CAD, and you can get into a 4x4 7400 Workstar with the 330 hp, 1150 ft/lb engine for only $6-8G more.

The Central BC IH dealer did just build an MXT with a small wildland "skid" style body, and it was at the show, so I would be eager to see how it fares.

[Ranburne]

Look at Blanchat truck builders. I talked with them a couple of weeks back and they sent me some info. We are looking at replacing a 5-Ton. They have a system that is supposed to be NFPA approved for riding behind the cab The website is blanchatmfg.com They have a truck on the sold list that is listed as a B-12. International tandam axel.

[onlocation]

Look at Blanchat truck builders. I talked with them a couple of weeks back and they sent me some info. We are looking at replacing a 5-Ton. They have a system that is supposed to be NFPA approved for riding behind the cab The website is blanchatmfg.com They have a truck on the sold list that is listed as a B-12. International tandam axel.

THOSE ARE PRETTY GOOD LOOKIN TRUCKS, HAVENT SEEN THAT TYPE OF GATE BEFORE, PRETTY GOOD IDEA, THAT PATRIOT MODEL IS PRETTY MUCH WAHT WE ARE LOOKIN FOR, BUT WITH MAYBE NOT THAT MUCH STORAGE- STILL HAVE TO BE ABLE TO GO UNDER SOME BRUSH. I LIKE THAT IT IS SHOWN ON A PETERBUILT CHASSIS. THAT GUNFIGHTER MODEL IS A MONSTER ON WHEELS. I WILL HAVE TO PASS THIS MANUFACTURER NAME ON.

[LCFD1L101]

We use larger 4x4 and 6x6 trucks. Ranging from 800 to 1700 gallon, backup can be long time out.

This link is of a neighboring districts truck, ours are red and white.
http://www.generalfire.com/Trucks/Ne...les/adams2.pdf

We have an 03 and 05 that are very similiar, but built by some else. We also have trucks that we have built like the 6x6 that I hope I have attached. 1 pic of 6x6 and 1 during build of 05 IH 7300 4x4.

[nmfire]

Can I get it a water tank and still keep the missiles?

[stev707]

here are some photos of the style of truck we use in Victoria Australia it carries
800 gallons of water 20 gals A and B class foam and pumps out 500 at 250 psi max from a 50 hp independently driven pump.the swinging doors behind the 6 man cab give access to a working platform about 4 feet wide running from one side to the other. it also has a protection spray system covering the whole vehicle overall length is about 26 feet and about 10 feet high and is 4x4
total cost 250,000 australian dollars made by www.semfirerescue.com.au



photos by tommygavin

[neiowa]

My department is kind of looking at ideas for a new large brush truck. we currently run a military 2 1/2 ton for our large brush truck. though there is nothing wrong with it, as new members join and aging members retire, there are becoming less personnel capable to drive it. it has no power steering and doesnt get around to fast and in the pasture you just kind of gotta let the steering wheel go where it wants. ...

Well here's a hot tip for you. In 98-99 the Army totally rebuilt several thousand M35 6x6 (2-1/2T or duece and a half). Included total chassis refurb, Install of a CAT diesel, Allison automatic, power steering, front air shift transfer case, and a central tire inflation system. Redesignated as M35A3 and a huge improvement. Began to come thru the DOD surplus ssystem a few months ago and available thru FEPP.

[volfirie]

stev707 - do you work for SEM? You didn't mention it has the turning circle of an aircraft carrier...

Known as a '3.4C', for 3000 litres of water, 4WD, Crew Cab. Capable trucks (you get used to the lack of turning circle, 23 point turns are fun), just a bit bulky. I like the newer versions, with the door in the back of the cab for access to the work area. I also prefer the smaller, 2000 litre versions with the much shorter wheel base.

I should mention that these aren't really 'brush trucks', they're dual purpose structural and wildfire vehicles. Which is why the ladder and breathing apparatus stowage.

[sentrymechanic]

We put a 93 model deuce and a half in service a while back. Air assisted power steering, Cat diesel, automatic transmission. Top speed is only about 60 but a truck that size, its fast enough. We only put 600 gallons of water on it to keep the weight down but its very good for getting through underbrush and small to medium trees.

[BDVFD784]

I went truck shopping today and found some of those M35A3's.The Federal Surplus in Ft. Worth has some for $8500.Does anyone have any knowledge of this truck they also have?More in our price range.

[txgp17]

I went truck shopping today and found some of those M35A3's.The Federal Surplus in Ft. Worth has some for $8500.Does anyone have any knowledge of this truck they also have?More in our price range.

My volunteer Dept had one until they bought a HUMMER. Those things are tough as nails. Just hard as crap to get parts for in a rural area.

Stoney Point Fire Dept in Cumberland County, NC used to have two identical ones. IIRC, they had converted both of theirs to GM 305 V8's with automatic trannies. That would make things a lot easier.

Also, look for a M1008 CUCV. It's basically a 1-ton GM 4x4 truck that Uncle Sam used as a ¾-ton. They have Dana 60 front axles and GM Corporate 10½" rear axles. They are tough as nails.