Posted by Nick [99.100.212.49] on Wednesday, November 13, 2013 at 00:03:04 :
In Reply to: Question for Nick (CDF) (OT) posted by Mark in FLG [67.54.213.250] on Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at 21:05:53 :
hey Mark, Yeah I replied in the last forum.
Yes we use what CDF, or CAL FIRE now, calls Model 34s My particular engine is a Model 34B, meaning its the second series in the 34 line. We are now up to 34Es. The 34E is the one I took to Hollister.
Although very large, they are surprisingly well handing fire engines. They ride very smooth, handle well on mountain roads at high speeds, NOT THAT I WOULD KNOW THIS, but its what Ive heard ;) They are pretty agile off road. You can see the amount of flex in the cab/chassis and buildup in quite a few pics in this file.
We are now making ALL of our engines 4 wheel drive. Although, as I said in my other post, its al about knowing your engine. Ive had my engine in 4 wheel drive on fires a total of 4 or 5 times. A lot of inexperienced operators have dome some serious damage to these engines, just by not knowing its capabilities, or worse yet, their OWN capabilities. Its REALLY REALLY erie to have this engine on a fire and be not more than HALF of its tilt capabilities. I have sucked up quite a bit of vinyl on some fires.
They have been tested by the USFS Test Center in San Dimas Ca, and these engines are required to obtain a minimum of 31.2 degrees of tilt. I have pics of that testing in this file Ive linked.
I have a lot of pics in this file, but its very interesting to look at the diversity of locations we work in.
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