Bronto in a slope

[ren483]

I like to know department working with a Bronto skylift, what`s the maximum slope you work.

Here in the city i work, we put to the test our Bronto 114 in a 10 degree slope.

[LT2410]

OK....I'll bite

Do you have pictures of this set-up? 10 degrees is almost an 18% grade which is pretty steep. How long did it take you to get the truck set up this way?

[ren483]

it takes about 12 to 15 minutes to do it and i put 4 wood spacers in each front jack.

[ren483]

more picture !

[Phaze]

Woww, that's amazing. I don't think our ladders can do that, taking that we operate most sticks and only one platform I can think of.

[LT2410]

OK - it makes a little more sense now that I see the wood blocks.

12-15 minutes seems like a long time to get the truck set up though.

Here is another picture I found of a Rosenbauer T-Rex set up on a similar slope.

[LT2410]

Sorry for such a large photo...not sure how to change that.

Here is the link of the original

http://www.firehall.com/forum/attachment.phpattachmentid=346 3&d=1253801573

[ren483]

I take my time there was no emergency, i want to be sure nothing under the truck touch the ground. on emergency it should be faster.

[RFDACM02]

Maybe the Bronto's don't move as much as some others with operation. I've seen many aerials lose jack pressure at different points and I'd be very concerned if I had that much riding on that little cribbing given the angle to help the apparatus walk down the hill. I prefer to use the limitations given all my contact points are directly on the ground or my cribbing is at least level.

[Rescue101]

Glad to see I'm not the only one that pic made nervous. A little snow/Ice and it's gonna be a BAD day. .C.

[FIREMECH1]

Glad to see I'm not the only one that pic made nervous. A little snow/Ice and it's gonna be a BAD day. .C.

Hell, just a little rain will turn that into a bad day. Just looking at the pics, I'd be very cautious and nervous getting under it, if I had to. If it slips or moves, I'm either lucky to get out, or dead. Don't like the latter.

FM1

[FD1976]

Hell, just a little rain will turn that into a bad day. Just looking at the pics, I'd be very cautious and nervous getting under it, if I had to. If it slips or moves, I'm either lucky to get out, or dead. Don't like the latter.

FM1

In it, on, it, or under it. Not me

[mec1029]

Bronto does not reconmend anything over 6 deg. And the use of ground pads.
All the tires should be off the ground also. Not a good move.

[ren483]

The use of wood spacer be approve by e-one and it is in the bronto manuel of operation for use max 4 spacer, and for the tires there was not presure on it.

I think it was not the first time i work with a Bronto. The training wa ave received it was frome a Bronto instructor from U.S.A.

[don120]

The use of wood spacer be approve by e-one and it is in the bronto manuel of operation for use max 4 spacer, and for the tires there was not presure on it.

I think it was not the first time i work with a Bronto. The training wa ave received it was frome a Bronto instructor from U.S.A.

Yes you can use a 4 inch spacer but I wouldn't use wood....Brontos are stable when level...that isn't the question here. The question is whether or not it can slide down a 10 degree slope...the answer is ....yes...I've seen it happen with the Bronto from IPIQ about ten years ago.

[Rescue101]

Ren,Part of the reason for having tires TOUCHING on Grade is the drag factor on rubber.tire. Steel on Wood block or asphalt on that type of grade........Well, let's say I've seen a LOT of stuff slide you would NOT think COULD. I'm NOT comfortable with this setup,ESPECIALLY at low angle and extended but if YOU are.........it's YOUR ride. T.C.

[firepundit]

Ren,Part of the reason for having tires TOUCHING on Grade is the drag factor on rubber.tire. Steel on Wood block or asphalt on that type of grade........Well, let's say I've seen a LOT of stuff slide you would NOT think COULD. I'm NOT comfortable with this setup,ESPECIALLY at low angle and extended but if YOU are.........it's YOUR ride. T.C.

Totally agree. I have seen more than a few positioned aerials move and most were not during testing.

Back in the 70's a man in Pennsylvania named Zimmerman taught me how to set up an LTI aerial. He told me to just take the bulge out of the tires so the aerial would be held by the torque box and jacks but the tires would still give some traction while the center of gravity stayed as low as possible.

Since then I have worked at different companies that built their own or installed other people's ladders. There are a lot of different opinions on the subject but for some reason I always remember to just "take the bulge out of the tires" whenever possible. Maybe Mahlon isn't the highest profile aerial "guru" but his words have always stuck with me.

One thing is certain, however, if you operate the apparatus outside of the documented recommendations, you will be responsible for the consequences. For instance, if the ladder were to go over the front of the unit and an overload occur (not that a fire department would ever put too much weight in the bucket), that front end has a loooong way to go before it is stopped by the ground. That much weight gaining that much momentum during acceleration would not be pretty. In fact, you have created an almost catapult.

Did your chief condone this?

[MVFDWA]

My first question is why is the truck facing down the slope. I believe all manufacturers recommend that the truck be facing uphill in this situation so the front wheels can be used as part of the stabilizing system also. I can't imagine what kind of a ride those FF's in the basket would have if this baby came down!!!

[LT2410]

My first question is why is the truck facing down the slope. I believe all manufacturers recommend that the truck be facing uphill in this situation so the front wheels can be used as part of the stabilizing system also. I can't imagine what kind of a ride those FF's in the basket would have if this baby came down!!!

Don't think so. I know the Bronto requires the cab to be facing down hill when leveling on a slope. I'm pretty sure they always want the tires off the ground with the Bronto.

[FIREMECH1]

My first question is why is the truck facing down the slope. I believe all manufacturers recommend that the truck be facing uphill in this situation so the front wheels can be used as part of the stabilizing system also. I can't imagine what kind of a ride those FF's in the basket would have if this baby came down!!!

Your answer is actually pretty easy, and simple. Use the rear wheels as a brake and friction counter point. Front brakes do not have spring brake cans, so it will not be able to stop it, if it starts rolling.

However.... as with our HP100 E-Ones, we do have a switch to energize the front brake cans, if needed. Will they stop a slid of this magnitude, I seriously doubt it. As well, you always want the engine level or above the rear wheels.

FM1