Aerials you prefer

[Nozzle nut 22]

Smeal reaches full height at a different angle than the others. To reach 100' at a lower degree elevation requires a longer ladder. That means it is farther over the jacks at full height for greater setback reach.

Aren't Smeals ladders rated at around 74ish degrees elevation? Compared to Aerialcat's 80 degrees ( I believe), that's a good difference in ladder length! Translating to a better flat horizontal reach, and a larger scrub area, too.

We have long set backs galore- so we get the 100'er for reach more than for height. We currently own a 105' AI stick.

I haven't looked into Crimson's ladders much, but they sound good- judging from the above posts... Either way, both Smeal and Crimson will build on a Spartan Gladiator, and both will build you a nice truck.

[Rescue101]

72 degrees to be precise. T.c.

[Picc.93Truck]

My Seagrave is a beast!

[FWDbuff]

My Seagrave is a beast!

Your rigs do not look enough like FDNY. You need to mangle the bumpers some, rub the sides up against a taxi cab or two, crack some of the windows, put the tip of the main into a fire for a minute or two, and get mis-matched wheels.

[GTRider245]

E-One engine next to a Seagrave ladder. That's a first.

[donethat]

I find it interesting that two of the more popular aerials are AL-U-MIN-IUM !!

[EES_SEAN]

And they're two of the safest, strongest ones out there.

BTW... Now when we're talking about Midmount Towers and bigger aerials, another factor that should be considered is curb weight to get the job done. This is in no way a jab at anyone, but some of these rigs are pushing new envelopes on maxing out suspensions and many do not take into consideration that some roads just can't support 80k on 10 contact points.

Horizontal reach is great, but when you can get a lighter weight rig, you may be able to get closer to make up for the difference.

[Rescue101]

And they're two of the safest, strongest ones out there.

BTW... Now when we're talking about Midmount Towers and bigger aerials, another factor that should be considered is curb weight to get the job done. This is in no way a jab at anyone, but some of these rigs are pushing new envelopes on maxing out suspensions and many do not take into consideration that some roads just can't support 80k on 10 contact points.

Horizontal reach is great, but when you can get a lighter weight rig, you may be able to get closer to make up for the difference.

Or NOT. Everyone brings up good points. Our Ladder was specced for OUR needs and has exceeded our expectations in EVERY category. Almost 4 years in the planning and building, the rig has allowed a fleet reduction while maximizing the amount of work we can accomplish with less manpower. For US.horizontal reach means the difference between success and failure due to the construction of the area. Aluminum is great but it too has it's own set of issues,repairing being a BIG one in this area. Now if you want to talk about a long reaching,light,easy to place STEEL Ladder,how about a Metz? Oh,I forgot: you guys don't consider that a Ladder. Suspension TODAY isn't a problem,there are a few HD suspensions that can(and do)take 120,000#s every day. Roads? Yup,those CAN be a problem. T.C.

[RoofTopTrucky]

In looking to replace our 89' E-One 135 we (the apparatus committe) decided that in the 20 years since our last ladder purchase, lit would be worth our time to look at every available possability in reguards to aerials. We requested literature from and went to look at just about every aerial manufacturer in the states. Once we started looking, we first eliminated any company that was not a 100% true sole source mfg. We didn't want problems with the aerial or the chassis down the road and have the rig sit out of service while people fight over whos responsability the repair was. Second we looked at what aerials were offered by the remaining mfgs. compaired the pros and cons of each and decided what would work best for us. We decided on a tiller. As we looked at the different tillers that are available it came down to 2.. Seagrave and E-One. We went back and forth for about 3 weeks as to wich one we felt was better...it was a very diffacult decision, but it came down to the aerial itself. One thing everyone on the committe didn't like about steel ladders was the dimensions of the ladder fly's, they were smaller than those on an aluminum ladder, and having had an aluminum ladder and working from it, we liked the extra room. So, becasue of the benafits of the aluminum ladder over steel, we chose E-One.

[THTMAN]

FWD - You covered most of it, but I would add "melt or break those spot lights off the tip by putting it through a window"

[rmcatee1]

[QUOTE=RoofTopTrucky;1291076]In looking to replace our 89' E-One 135...

Do you guys feel you will miss the extra 35' at all? Just curious.

[Tim1118]

I don't think it's been mentioned, but E-One does offer a CR137 now (not on a tiller though).

I do have to give credit where it's due here. I've driven many different brands and styles of ladder/platform trucks. The aluminum ladder (or platform for that matter) seems significantly less top-heavy than the steel versions. There is a huge driveability (sp?) difference.

[firefightinirish217]

Sutphen all the way baby!!!! I love the old Mack Aerialscopes too, but for newer trucks, I'm a diehard Sutphen man.

[RoofTopTrucky]

[QUOTE=rmcatee1;1291084]

In looking to replace our 89' E-One 135...

Do you guys feel you will miss the extra 35' at all? Just curious.

Only been without it for a little over a year and We do miss it a little. At the time of replacement they had quit offering the 135' so we went another direction. Then, a few months prior to delivery, they announce the 137 model (135). Like I said, we do miss having the extra 35' but don't regret it (atleast not yet)

[nameless]

[QUOTE=RoofTopTrucky;1291516]

Only been without it for a little over a year and We do miss it a little. At the time of replacement they had quit offering the 135' so we went another direction. Then, a few months prior to delivery, they announce the 137 model (135). Like I said, we do miss having the extra 35' but don't regret it (atleast not yet)

I bet even with the 135 there was times you wish you had another few feet. Thats the problem with ladders, no matter how long they are you will always come up short sometime.

[donethat]

As I posted previously, I find it very interesting that the two most prefered aerials are manufactured out of Aluminum. Now we can understand why Pierce jumped on board and started offering aluminum aerials. It only took them 30 years to fiqure it out.