
EQUIPMENT DIGEST
Departments
Rescue Tool
An air hydraulic powered Rescue Gator cutter that slices through metal with 17,000 pounds of force, has been designed by Lincoln St. Louis, division of McNeil Corporation.
Designed especially for the rescue-extrication field, the new model 99801 Rescue Gator is made of high strength steels, and weighs 28 pounds. An air/hydraulic powered ram, operating within a hydraulic cylinder, forces the cutter blades to open and close, performing the cutting operation, much as a large shear would do. The cylinder has a rear handle, as well as a circular front handle to permit blade positioning at any angle.
Standard compressed air tanks, with regulated air pressure to 200 psi powers an air/hydraulic pump to develop the 8 1/2 tons of force at the cutter blade center.
Circle No. 8 on Reader Service Card
Personal Distress
The Lifegard II Personal Distress Device manufactured by the Antenna Specialists Company, has received safety approval from OSHA.
The Lifegard II is a compact self-contained device worn by fire fighters working in potentially hazardous or isolated areas. If a fire fighter is overcome and becomes immobolized, the Lifegard II automatically triggers after 25 seconds and emits a unique, continuous pulsating shriek.
Circle No. 4 on Reader Service Card
Warning Lights
Warn Industries, makers of Wam-A-Lite strobe warning lights, has added two new AC models to its Firebolt series. Unlike conventional revolving lights, the Firebolt s modular power supply and flash tube have no moving parts.
The modular design also provides extra vibration resistance and allows fast in the field repairs. The base and lens of the Firebolt are also made of polycarbonate to resist damage due to impacts and vibration.
Available with 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48V DC plus 115 and 220V AC power supplies, the Firebolt can be ordered with amber, red, clear, blue or green lenses. A variety of mounting options are also available including conduit, magnetic and suction cup mounts.
Circle No. 5 on Reader Service Card
Leather Gloves
Specially processed leather gloves that meet MIL-G-87077 specifications have been announced by Globe Fire Fighter Suits. The special process removes oil that can cause a glove to become slick when wet, helps prevent shrinking and retains its original softness and pliability. Model GL-5 gloves are lined with inherently flame-resistant Kevlar which provides insulation against heat or cold. Model GL-6 has an aluminized Kevlar lining and model GL-7 has a GoreTex barrier. All three gloves meet Federal OSHAand CAL-OSHA standards.
Circle No. 1 on Reader Service Card
Quick Couple System
Hydra-Lok, manufactured by Hydra-Shield Inc., is a quick couple system that eliminates time consuming cap removal, thread alignment and positioning of conventional connectors. Hydra-Lok solves multiple thread size and low hydrant outlet problems. The locking mechanism clamps on quickly and securely without wrenches or special tools. The connector cap fits all types of fire hydrants with hose connectors available in 2 1/2 through 4 1/2 inch sizes.
Circle No. 3 on Reader Service Card
High Pressure Compressor
Mako introduces a new line of high pressure compressors. Nine compressor sizes, both air and water cooled, are available in vertical electric models, as well as gas and diesel.
Circle No. 7 on Reader Service Card
Communication System
Advanced Videotech Corporation announces an in-band, full duplex, simultaneous communication system. Full duplex is simultaneous transmission and reception of radio signals, in-band means the use of radio frequencies within a VHF band. If there were 20 different radio stations inside the width of an indicator needle on the dial of a radio, the separation between those 20 stations would be about 1 KHz each making it impossible to clearly receive any one station. Until now it was considered impossible to achieve this narrow frequency separation, but Advanced Videotech Corporation challenged this concept and overcame the problems within the scope of FCC approved VHF frequencies.
Circle No. 2 on Reader Service Card