American LaFrance's LTI Ladder Series Now Available to Industry OEMs

[WestTac1]

American LaFrance's LTI Ladder Series Now Available to Industry OEMs
(5/19/2011)

SUMMERVILLE, SC – Fire Expo 2011 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania will mark the beginning of a new distribution strategy for American LaFrance as the company will open sales of its LTI Ladders to select North American and international fire apparatus manufacturing partners.

FULL PRESS RELEASE: http://www.americanlafrance.com/inte...p=4&s=22&a=195

Think it's a very good idea...there are some departments that love the LTI product, but not the ALF chasis.

[BoxAlarm187]

Toyne has already agreed to this, as has the Virginia CustomFire dealer, Red Storm.

[RoaddoggAK]

On a related note, I heard from a Rosy sales rep that RK aerials are now exclusive to Rosenbauer?

[taskforce16]

As far as a business decision would it be a good idea for Rosenbauer to stop selling their aerials to other manufactures? In the current US economy, I would think Rosenbauer would want to try and seel to anyone who would buy one. What other manufactures were using RK ladders? Granted it was listed as a rumor and I am feeding the fire.

[chiefengineer11]

On a related note, I heard from a Rosy sales rep that RK aerials are now exclusive to Rosenbauer?

I'm not at all sure that's correct. I understood that Rosie US had a disagreement with Toyne, and elected to discontinue providing them with ladders. Unless there's been a more recent change, Alexis, 4 Guys and whoever else will still have access to RK.

On the balance, I think that at least in the east, Toyne will come out the winner in this change. RK makes a good piece of equipment. I know, I spent a summer demo'ing one. But LTI also has a good product as well as bigger name recognition in this part of the country. They just need to keep a lid on their pricing.

[WoodbridgeFFII]

If LTI starts selling a large amount of there aerial products to other OEM's, do you think that they may have to increase the size of current Pa, plant. And also did'nt Crimson fire take over part of the LTI property. I did not see anything listed about selling there midmount platforms to other builders.

[ladderman]

Crimson is building aerials in the main LTI building. LTI has the much smaller building across from the Crimson building.

[FIREMECH1]

Since we need another 2-3 aerials within the next year or so, I'm thinking I like what Toyne did for the one they are building for us now. Which is the reason for alot of what is going on.
That being said, I'd like to see a Spartan cab and chassis with either a Crimson or Toyne body with the LTl ladder on it.

Do note though. I have zero, nada, nothing for hands on, or experience with the LTl ladder. But it comes across, from many here, to be the best of the best for ladders. And I do trust what I see and read, when it is repeated, over and over.

FM1

[SFD_E73_RET]

I have expierience flying original ALF straight stick, E-One sraight sticks and LTI straight stick, mid-mount and TDA. The LTI's were far superior to the others. Just my .02 cents. I know there are several others out there though and few have been copied er....reverse engineered from the LTI's. Hopefully this new venture will work out for everybody involved.

[FWDbuff]

But it comes across, from many here, to be the best of the best for ladders. And I do trust what I see and read, when it is repeated, over and over.

FM1

LTI= "built like a brick schithouse."

[FIREMECH1]

LTI= "built like a brick schithouse."

Yeah, so I've read and heard. But what makes it so special??? I'd really like to see one in person, go over it, as well as operate it, if possible.

I can trash a couple ladders, but this one, is like, well, a unicorn. Mythical by all accounts.

FM1

[chiefengineer11]

Yeah, so I've read and heard. But what makes it so special??? I'd really like to see one in person, go over it, as well as operate it, if possible.

I can trash a couple ladders, but this one, is like, well, a unicorn. Mythical by all accounts.

FM1

In all of my years in the fire service one of many things I've noted: We all have at least one common trait. Someone comes up with something new, or not so new. All of the people (people we trust, mind you) who already have it say how great it is, how well it's worked for them, how well it's held up, etc., etc. So along comes the salesperson to sell it to us; what's the first thing out of our mouths? "Got one we can try out?"

I'll say this about LTI ladders from a non-truckie point of view. Would I want to try one out? Absolutely. They're well respected here in the east. They build a solid product. But let's don't be brewing a new flavor of Kool-Aid for them. They can hold their own end up.

[sven73]

My question is whether or not the current LTI aerials being built are of the same quality as when they were privately owned. I am not saying they are or are not and I have not used an LTI in quite sometime. But when you look at what Ms. Tilton did to ALF you can only imagine what else is going on.

[donethat]

Not a bad ladder if you don't mind the sound of rust scale clattering down the inside of the base rails when elevating the ladder.

[FWDbuff]

Not a bad ladder if you don't mind the sound of rust scale clattering down the inside of the base rails when elevating the ladder.

I'll take a broken, twisted, rusted out LTI main over a Thibault main any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

[CanadianFyrTrks]

I'll take a broken, twisted, rusted out LTI main over a Thibault main any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Spent a few cold days high up on a mid-mount?

[Northern Lights FF]

sure been thousands of Thibaults in service all over for many years.......damb good safety record as well........for what it's worth...

[FWDbuff]

sure been thousands of Thibaults in service all over for many years.......damb good safety record as well........for what it's worth...

The one I am intimately familiar with spent more time in the shop than anywhere else........As a matter of fact, in the same shop as the other Canadian Gift to the Fire Service I am familiar with- the Amertek crash trucks........(in fairness to the Thibault, the Amertrash's spent WAY more time in the shop.......)

[Northern Lights FF]

LMAO.....what can ya do......

lemons in every "flavour" I guess.......

[Rescue101]

LMAO.....what can ya do......

lemons in every "flavour" I guess.......

Given the CHOICE between a T-Bolt and a LTI, I'll take the LTI thank you. As far as RUST, if you keep the device for it's intended service life,you have little to worry about. New methods and products have cut the corrosion issues way down from yesteryear. T.C.