Smeal?

[Plattsfire2]

Do any of you run Smeal? My ONLY reason for asking is that the Smeal factory is about an hour north of here and many depts in this area run them. Particularly aerials. Just wondering if they are as abundant all across the states. Positive or negative feedback?

[ftfdverbenec770]

we have a smeal 105' quint. its been nothing but good to us.
we are just west of kansas city.

[GFDLT1]

Charlotte FD as well as Rocky Mount (NC) FD both have at least4 or 5 Smeals apiece. And as far as I have heard, they both love them to death.

[fieldseng2]

We run:

THIRTY (30) 75' Smeals

TWO (2) 100' Smeals

TWO (2) 125' Smeals

34 Smeals...I haven't been on the job long here, but they seem to be great rigs. Most of the guys you talk to here like them compared to the 1st generation StLFD quints. I used to be a die hard Pierce man, but I must say i really like the performance of these rigs. Easy to set up, use, and best of all very durable.

I WOULD reccomend Smeal to anyone who was shopping for a new rig.

fieldseng2

[BVFD1983]

FYI: Smeal used to build for Pierce.

Take a close look at a Pierce 105 and a Smeal 105. They are practically twins..

[pfd4life]

FYI: Smeal used to build for Pierce.

Take a close look at a Pierce 105 and a Smeal 105. They are practically twins..

Bing-freakin-o, but Smeal only built the aerial/turntable portion, not the chassis, cab cabinet spaces.

[BVFD1983]

Yep, up until the early 90s, right?

[PierceGuru]

as for pierce having the same design as smeal that is far from true, the proof is in the performance

[BVFD1983]

Pierceguru: Seeing how Pierce has a 500 # tip load at 360 degrees flowing 1,000 GPM and Smeal has a 500 # tip load at 360 degrees flowing 1,250 GPM.. Yeah, the Pierce performs better.

[mtnfireguy]

The Urinating Contest room is down the hall to the left.........

[cdemarse]

as for pierce having the same design as smeal that is far from true, the proof is in the performance

IMO The last couple of Pierce rigs we have recieved have been nothing but problems for us. Pierce's build quality has steadily been getting worse.

[Yankee750]

as for pierce having the same design as smeal that is far from true, the proof is in the performance

That is true. The Smeal aerial performs better hands down!!!!

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

as for pierce having the same design as smeal that is far from true, the proof is in the performance

Hey Guru...

You don't know jack squat.

Pierce used Smeal sticks for their aerials until they decided to build their own

The Massachusetts Fire Academy happens to own one of them.

[gunnyv]

My dept's Truck 1 is a 90 or 91 Pierce 75'. I know for a fact that the aerial was built by Smeal,we had some kind of maintenance flag a few years ago detailing a problem with the Smeal aerials of that vintage. Can't remember what the problem was though. I do know Pierce came out and fixed it.

[lexfd5]

10 Smeal Engines
4 Smeal Aerials

Not too bad, but much better than what we used to have. City bought them all within a three year period.

[Ledebuhr1]

I wouldent say Smeal is better than Pierce, but I would say they make a good rig. I havent heard anything bad about them.
Does anyone wonder why any builder is always compared to Pierce? They do know how to make a great rig. Sure they have problems but who doesent. I think Pierce has less problems than most other builders.

You never hear "Is(an apparatus builder) as good as KME"?

[CALFFBOU]

I have worked off of several Smeal "Type 2" engines out here in California. they seem to be built well and last long. These type 2s held up well in both structure and brush.

[Dalmatian190]

Does anyone wonder why any builder is always compared to Pierce?

a) Because the person making the comparison isn't a Seagrave fan

b) Because the person making the comparison isn't a Sutphen fan

c) Because the person making the comparison isn't an E-One fan

d) Because the person making the comparison isn't a Saulsbury fan (ok, trick question since they bought them...)

e) Because the person making the comparison isn't an American LaFrance fan (original or repeat)

f) Because the person making the comparison isn't a Maxim fan

g) Because the person making the comparison isn't a Hahn fan

h) Because the person making the comparison isn't a Marion fan

i) Fill in the blank: Because the person making the comparison isn't a(n) ______ fan

j) All of the above.

[CALFFBOU]

Does anyone wonder why any builder is always compared to Pierce?

e) Because the person making the comparison isn't an American LaFrance fan (original or repeat)

Bro- You spelled it wrong. Its American LaCHANCE!

[Yankee750]

Bro- You spelled it wrong. Its American LaCHANCE!

I think you are mistaken. In my area it's spelled American LaTrash.