APPARATUS REFURBISHING:

APPARATUS REFURBISHING:

APPARATUS & EQUIPMENT

PUTTING THE USE BACK INTO USED

DENNIS WILSON

Fire departments buy used apparatus usually for economic reasons—because it’s cheaper. Unfortunately, a department can end up paying forever, in terms of both money and progress, if it makes the wrong purchase or wrong modifications. Thus, when considering buying used apparatus, ask yourself: What are the department’s needs? What is the age and condition of the prospective apparatus? Can the necessary revisions be made economically?

Buy used apparatus for your department as carefully as you would a used car for yourself. Do not buy the first one that comes along just because it’s pretty and cheap. The Shumway Fire Protection District, a small volunteer fire district in south central Illinois, did an excellent job of maximizing a used pumper’s potential with limited resources. Shumway is a relatively new fire district comprised mainly of rural farm ground, a small older community, and a lake with numerous residential areas and campgrounds. There are no hydrants in the district, but one dry hydrant has been installed at the lake and more are in the planning stages.

Keeping its needs in mind, the district sought a pumper with a largecapacity booster tank and a good number of preconnected attack lines. Easy operation for the pump operator was also a major concern, as was a front intake for drafting and extra seating for personnel. Above all, the apparatus had to be affordable.

Shumway Fire Chief Donnie Blair heard that a nearby city had a 1966 American La France pumper up for bids. The pumper had a 6-71 Detroit diesel engine, a 1,250-gpm two-stage pump, and a 300-gallon booster tank. The chassis had low mileage, and the body was in excellent shape with no rust. The tires had good tread and were not weather-cracked. The apparatus also had two desired secondary features: a five-man cab and a five-inch gated front intake. These were reasons enough to bid, and bid they did, to the tune of §9,300. It was the winning bid.

The district then set about revamping the apparatus. First the rig’s twin booster reels were removed. One of these reels is now being used in the construction of a new brush truck. Next it examined the booster tank. Even though the 300-gallon tank was too small, it was in excellent condition, so the decision was made to enlarge the existing tank. After checking the gross vehicle weight rating and axle ratings, the district determined that the chassis could support another 500 gallons safely. The sides and ends of the tank were extended, new top flanges were fabricated using the old bolt pattern, and new studs were welded in. The interior of the tank was sandblasted and coated with several coats of tank sealer. The tops of the old tank were then scaled and bolted to the new tank.

Another modification was the addition of a second tank-to-pump line. The pumper had four auxiliary intakes, so for economy reasons one of these valves was used. ‘ITie valve was redirected from the pump panel back toward the tank, where it was run into three-inch plumbing and secured to the tank with a heavy duty rubber flex-coupler. Adding this second tankto-pump line gave the pumper a tankto-pump flow of 600 gallons per minute, which was necessary to accommodate the next modification planned.

ITie booster reels were removed and in their place a divided, crosslay hosebed was constructed. It was designed to carry preconnects of one 150-foot 21/2-inch hose and straight hose nozzle and four 150-foot 1¾-inch hoselays equipped with straight bore and midrange spray nozzles. The crosslay hoselines were run directly to pump panel outlets. This eliminated both the cost of the plumbing and all the friction loss encountered in the plumbing.

A new and enlarged booster tank took the space of the old hosebed. The old preconnect outlets in the rear were redirected to perform new functions: One serves as a tank/fill circulation line while the other, connected to the pump panel, serves as the highpressure jet supply for eductor/port-atank operations.

The next step was to work on the huge pump panel—to make it userfriendly and less intimidating to pump operators. All gauges, controls, and outlets were color-coded and labeled with engraved plastic tags. ‘Hie preconnected lines were then color-coded at the nozzle. All other controls such as the second tank-to-pump line, jet siphon, and circulation lines were labeled with black tags. A cam-lock quick coupler was installed on each side in an auxiliary intake for a tank fill hookup.

To prevent future problems, all the discharge and intake valves were rebuilt, the pump was repacked, the relief valve was rebuilt, and the pump service was tested. This completed the mechanical revisions.

A few other minor changes were left to be made. The pumper came with a fire band radio with the correct frequency intact. The radio was tuned up and a new antenna was installed. Also, the pumper was relettered with its new owners’ name.

Shumway’s pumper, plus equipment and revisions, cost the fire district a total of SI6,829 (see box for a price breakdown)—just a fraction of the price of a new pumper.

If your fire department would like more modern or additional apparatus but cannot afford to buy new, maybe used apparatus is the answer. Virtually every fire service publication lists used apparatus for sale. In addition, there are numerous dealers selling used fire apparatus. Check out apparatus for sale in your vicinity.

Itemized Price List

One final note: If your department is considering doing the conversion work on its own, keep in mind that the project will require many manhours and lots of hard work. However, whether you or someone else revamps your purchase, you will still get the most use out of your used apparatus.

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