Sutphen ladder failures

[jkumb]

Sutphen has instructed customers to remove all SPH 100, SP 110, SPI 112 and SAI 110 aerials from service immediately

On The Secret List today is a report of a ladder tower failure free fall at the Hall County, Georgia training facility that injured a couple of firefighters. The accompanying photos show 2 TLs,, one a Sutphen that appears to have a somewhat damaged platform. In the last several years, there seem to have been several similar failures. In 2012, a 2010 Sutphen aerial suffered a failure when the extension cables failed and the upper fly slammed down into the second fly in Green Valley, AZ. Later investigation showed that lack of maintenance resulted in composite bushing failure causing 2 pulleys to seize and snap the extension cables. 5 people were injured. Other failures due to maintenance issues occurred in Bluffton, SC. (4); Chillicothe, Ohio; Palm Beach County, FL; and Sedona, AZ (2).

Recalls were issued in 2013, but there have been at least 2 failures since then - inJune, Belle Valley, PA had a cable snap on their 2010 100' platform , injuring 3; Sutphen immediately took responsibility after investigating and finding that the wrong type cable was used. Today's incident in Hall County injured 3. If you have any of the affected models ( including harvested aerials , pull 'em from service until Sutphen contacts you.

Jon U.

[CAPTFBFD]

Not good.  Not good at all.

[chief60]

It will be interesting to see where the Hall County aerial came from. It was a used 2006 unit that they received in April. I believe the Bluffton, SC aerial that had at least 4 failures was a 2006.

[jim kay]

Just a note.... The only Sutphen Towers that Palm Beach County Fire Rescue operates are a couple of the single axle 70' Mini Towers (not in the recall) Dept's within the county that operate Sutphen Towers are Village of Tequesta, West Palm Bch Fire Dept, Town of Palm Bch. Fire Dept., Boynton Bch Fire Dept. and Boca Raton Fire Rescue... might have missed one not sure... Also City of Orlando is a 100 % Sutphen fleet... Here in Metro Atlanta we have Gwinnett Fire, DeKalb Co. Fire City of Roswell, Cobb Co., Carroll County, City of Calhoun and Rome Fire Dept.  not sure how many are in the recall list 

[firesafe91]

Looks like Sutphen has a plan to get the recalled units back into service:


http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stor...truck.html

[firescooby]

Just a note.... The only Sutphen Towers that Palm Beach County Fire Rescue operates are a couple of the single axle 70' Mini Towers (not in the recall) Dept's within the county that operate Sutphen Towers are Village of Tequesta, West Palm Bch Fire Dept, Town of Palm Bch. Fire Dept., Boynton Bch Fire Dept. and Boca Raton Fire Rescue... might have missed one not sure... Also City of Orlando is a 100 % Sutphen fleet... Here in Metro Atlanta we have Gwinnett Fire, DeKalb Co. Fire City of Roswell, Cobb Co., Carroll County, City of Calhoun and Rome Fire Dept.  not sure how many are in the recall list 

There are 197 total. Roswell doesn't have one of the effected trucks.

[firescooby]

Looks like Sutphen has a plan to get the recalled units back into service:

http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stor...truck.html

Updates began two weeks ago. Units will be updated and returned to service as parts arrive to dealers.

[johndanger]

The report on the failure in Georgia was released, and it's scathing to say the least...Definitely unnerving to me as someone who operates with an SPH100.

 

 

 

http://archive.11alive.com/assetpool/doc...er1107.pdf

http://archive.11alive.com/assetpool/doc...gs1107.pdf

[CAPTFBFD]

Sorry but I wouldn't want to be operating one. I think this is going to be the end of Sutphen.

[FireMedic049]

Sorry but I wouldn't want to be operating one. I think this is going to be the end of Sutphen.

Why do you think this would be the end of Sutphen?


They have a problem with one out of several models of aerials and they seem to be putting out a decent number of non-aerial units. They may see a short term drop in aerial sales from this, but this won't put them out of business.

[Juice]

I tend to agree with the above, that's a pretty bold statement to say that this is going to be the end of them.

[chief60]

I would agree I well, I don't believe it would be the end of them. Although, I am very disappointed in how they handle the issues with the departments originally. Basically blaming the departments and improper maintenance on the department. I would have a hard time trusting them now, kinda of disappointing they were a great group of people (corporate). I think they let this get out of hand.

[firescooby]

I would agree I well, I don't believe it would be the end of them. Although, I am very disappointed in how they handle the issues with the departments originally. Basically blaming the departments and improper maintenance on the department. I would have a hard time trusting them now, kinda of disappointing they were a great group of people (corporate). I think they let this get out of hand.

I'll give you MY 2 cents...and nothing more. I'm saying this just from me.

 

One of the previous trucks DID have an obvious maintenance issue. It wasn't passing blame...just the truth.

 

The truck in PA was a major error when that truck was in for service (Sutphen Service).

 

The Hall County truck...can't say more than that report as of this time.

 

I think Drew made a brave call in grounding the aerials in July. Yes, it was damaging...and yes...it will have long lasting results. I can tell you that the SPH will be an absolute BEAST when updated. I think (my opinion only) that it will set the standard for certain components.

 

Sutphen is a little fish in a big pond...but I can say with no doubt that Drew and Julie have the end user as the primary concern. They put their customers above the dollar EVERY time!!

 

I think as unfortunate as this incident (and the others) were, this will make Sutphen and the entire industry better in the long run.

[CAPTFBFD]

Yeah my statement was a little strong. I am sure the lawsuits that are going to come from the GA event are going to be damaging and I can only imagine the drop in sales is going to be significant.


Many people are going to have huge trust issues with Sutphen.

[jquest6368]

I guess Pierce will be closing also, since there have been issues with the suspension and all-steer.  Oh, and Seagrave also...they had an aerial on a 1991 rig fail with FDNY about 20 years ago.