Fixed cab custom pumpers

[bookworm]

I was curious about people opinions of fixed cab pumpers. I have seen several lately mainly from Seagrave. I realize that it may be simply personal opinion, but what are the advantages other than ease of service of the tilt over the fixed?

[ctxffman]

We have 3 trucks with fixed cabs and can't think of one positive thing to pass on.
Ok, here's one, It won't fall on your head.
We HAD 2 old Fords/FMC with the 4 guy lift on your own, quick put the support in!!!.
Now we push a button and it slowly, gracefully raises on it's own. Thanks Pierce.

[grc063]

Seagrave is, (as far as I am aware of), the only manufacturer that makes a true fixed, non-tilting cab. It is called the "J" cab. It is the cab preferred in FDNY. One of the reasons for this is that many of the firehouses in NYC have low ceilings, along with virtually no ramps outside. If these were tilt cabs, they could not be worked on in the station, along with no room outside quarters to park the apparatus and raise the cab. Thus, the fixed cab. This cab is NOT mechanic friendly. It is my opinion that if FDNY stopped purchasing the fixed cab, Seagrave would no longer offer it. Tilt cab is the way to go!!

[Rotoray]

Pierce Arrow is, I believe, still a fixed cab.
If the reason you want a fixed cab is to go back to the rear doghouse style, other manfacturers have this version in a tilt as well as regular topside access.

[BoxAlarm187]

Originally posted by Rotoray
Pierce Arrow is, I believe, still a fixed cab.

Roto-Ray (great screen name!):

FYI, Pierce stopped offering the Arrow about 12 months ago. It faced two problems: 1. no one wanted to buy a fixed cab anymore, and 2. the dog house could not be modified (for a reasonable cost) to fit the new exhaust emission standards for the 2003 EPA-compliant motors.

[roadkill]

being one of those guys that always ride in the back. I have ridden in both fixed (doghouse) and tilt (forward engine) rigs. not only does the forward engine design permit greater room inback, particularly in short length 6 man cabs. However I think the greatest benifit of the forward engine tilt cab is that the members in the back can exit either or both sides. If you do allot of highway responses, it comes in handy not having to get out on the traffic side.

[STATION2]

To add to what grc063 said if I may about Seagrave. Seagrave still makes the non-tilt J cab as he stated. They also still produce the L cab which is their low profile version of the J cab (Barrier doors not an option) like the new Baltimore City Ladder Co. 25. It is the same height as the J cab but the roof is notched for an aerial. It replaced the W cab for low profile aerial applications. Additionally Seagrave continues to produce the T cab which can be speced as either a split tilt OR full tilt. The Flame and Marauder series are their other offerings that are a full tilt cab. Just some thoughts.

Stay low and move it in.

P.S.: Alot of Seagrave customers still spec and buy the J cab by choice. Eventhough F.D.N.Y. is a large order customer, I doubt they would discontinue it if F.D.N.Y. quit buying it. In particular anyone buying an Aerialscope and wanting a Seagrave chassis would pretty much be limited to the J cab.

[Bulldog]

Station2, Why do you need a non-tilt cab with an Aerialscope? Since the scope is midship mount and hangs over the back (a long way) I wouldn't think the cab type mattered much.

[STATION2]

You do not need to have a fixed cab to have an Aerialscope. They will build with the Spartan and HME cabs (which are tilt). I said if you want a Seagrave cab, it will be the J series fixed cab. This is because the tilt cab Seagrave models have not been engineered for the aerialscope at this time.


Stay low and move it in.

[engine263]

In reply to Station2's response regarding the fixed cab on an Aerialscope, the reason a tilt cab is not offered in this application is due to weight issues on the front axle. This is also why you cannot get a tilt style cab on a Seagrave Apollo aerial platform. The "L" style cab has the frame rails lowered immediately ahead of the radiator. That is how Seagrave can get the low overall height without having to also "notch" the cab front area. FYI!!

[Rotoray]

Box Alarm,
Thanks for the update on arrows. I know detroit received 3 arrow aerials last year. I wonder if they are still available for the re-cabs at their refurb center?

[CAPN22]

Fixed cabs are a maintainace Nightmare. Inspections are difficult as not everythings is visable. And if any major engine work is needed you need one of these things depending on ease and space. Lift the cab off, Drop the engnine and transmission out the bottom. or make a hole in the roof, unbolt the dog house and pull it all out the new sun roof. Even changing a sepentine belt or Alt can be an undaunting task due to limited access.

Fixed cabs are cheaper to purchase but as things need to be serviced and repaired down the road you'll pay thru the nostrils.