Fdic 2012

[Fyrtrks]

Some of us can not make FDIC 2012. So let's see the spy shots.

I got an email about HME's Scorpion let's see who can get shots of it.

The Appleton oval is always good at having some kind of wiz bang there post some photos.

[Chief1FF]

Looking around a little bit today. Saw the Appleton convoy move in. Lots of Bluebird buses converted to command units! I wonder if that is their big unveil!!!!!!

Saw the Rosenbaurer chassis, it is a nice looking unit!!!!

Chief1FF

[BoxAlarm187]

I'll be getting there on Wednesday with camera in hand. I got about 700 photos last year, a handful of which were stolen and used in publications.

[FWDbuff]

I heard this year that in order to boost sales, a certain Mfr. has secretly taken over the sprinkler system in the halls, and has converted it over to a deluge system........the water supply has been disconnected, and they will be injecting kool-aid into the system and then dumping it when the crowds are at peak attendance.

[firepundit]

Here's a pic of the Scorpion.

[RFDACM02]

OK, let the games begin! What is the purpose of the Scorpian's extra axle? I saw a nice picture with a great caption under it that alludes to the same question...

[donethat]

I heard this year that in order to boost sales, a certain Mfr. has secretly taken over the sprinkler system in the halls, and has converted it over to a deluge system........the water supply has been disconnected, and they will be injecting kool-aid into the system and then dumping it when the crowds are at peak attendance.

I hope it's cherry flavored Kool-Aid. Cherry is my favorite.

[FyredUp]

Here's a pic of the Scorpion.

Reminds me of my days with the WiANG as a civilian CFR FF. We had P-2 and P-23 crash trucks that had a second front steering/driving axle.

The only reason I can come up with for adding another axle there is for more weight carrying capability. I wonder how well that thing turns?

[nameless]

Found this pic of the HMS Scorpion, doesn't look new at all.

[firepundit]

Aerial applications. Many 100 platforms have ballast in the rear to take weight off of the front axle. This would eliminate the need for ballast and actually allow the builders to add weight in the front.

HME seems to think this will be an alternative to TDAs.

[rmcatee1]

Who's ladder is HME using for this?

[ffp20]

Aerial applications. Many 100 platforms have ballast in the rear to take weight off of the front axle. This would eliminate the need for ballast and actually allow the builders to add weight in the front.

HME seems to think this will be an alternative to TDAs.

that nice of them to think that.....but it wont be

[Woodbridge]

A few years back we had the Pierce rear steer aerial that was a flop, so it looks like we now have the HME midsteer aerial?

[npfd801]

RK. And since just saying RK is too short to allow me to post, I added this.

[BoxAlarm187]

As usual, everyone rushes to judgement based off a single photo...

EDIT: Dual steer axles aren't exactly new. They've been used in the fire service before, and they're used in the construction industry routinely. I'm excited to take a look at this in a couple of days, and see the engineering that went into the design, and what their marketing base for this is.

If it IS marketed as a alternative for a tiller, I hope they're able to find success with it. With the traditions of the US fire service, many people will poo-poo the design simply because it's different.

[GTRider245]

Just when you think an HME can't get any uglier...

[RFDACM02]

As usual, everyone rushes to judgement based off a single photo...

I'm not sure anyone is rushing to judge the Scorpian, but wondering where the need is that spawned such an idea? When you put something this radically different than the res of the aerials in 99% of US FD's you must think there's some hole their trying to fill? I guess many of us who seem to follow the American fire apparatus industry with interest are somewhat baffled. To tell you the truth, I had to blow up the first pic I saw to tell it wasn't photoshopped!

If it IS marketed as a alternative for a tiller, I hope they're able to find success with it. With the traditions of the US fire service, many people will poo-poo the design simply because it's different.

That would interesting, are they noting a far tighter turning radius despite the OAL?

[firepundit]

EDIT: Dual steer axles aren't exactly new.

They certainly aren't new to HME. They have built many of them, just not for the fire service.

[BoxAlarm187]

wondering where the need is that spawned such an idea? When you put something this radically different than the res of the aerials in 99% of US FD's you must think there's some hole their trying to fill?

I have to be honest with you, if HME was able to prove that this could give close to the maneuverability of a tiller, a design like this could be a possibility for our VFD. Like a lot of volunteer departments, we sometimes face staffing challenges, and although we've seriously explored a tiller to meet our upcoming aerial needs, there's always the concern about having a qualified tillerman available. Maybe this would solve the quandary?

Maybe it'll be a hit for a niche market (IE: Metz), or perhaps it'll follow in the steps of the Schwing firefighting boom?

I have a lot of questions that I'll try to get answered on Thursday...

[LT2410]

There are many states that have strict weight limits which includes fire apparatus. Perhaps the thought is to serve those markets where buying a 100'+ platform can be very difficult when trying to stay within the laws of the axle weight limitations.