[quote name='SrFireOfficial' date='24 July 2010 - 10:05 AM' timestamp='1279982705' post='394341']
No, I am politely saying there are things that we like on our ladder trucks (pre-piped ladder pipes), massive tip loads for stokes basket lifting/lowering that, in my mind and experience, would create a behemoth TDA. I say, and again it's merely my opinion and observation, that, a well-designed rear-mount aerial ladder with a 45-dgree cramp angle on the front axle will be able to get the job done as well if not better than today's modern TDAs spec'd to do the same. I stated earlier in this thread that what is gained in manueverability in 21st century TDAs is lost in their massive size.
SrFireOfficial, on 04 July 2010 - 06:28 PM, said:
As for ladder trucks that bend in the middle, my two cents.
I was hired in 1984 and the majority of ladder trucks in the FRD fleet were tractor-drawn Seagrave, spanning an age range from 1960-something to early 1980 something. I challenge you to park the oldest tiller FXCO bought next to the last tiller we bought and note the changes in size. Now, pull up one of the 21st century brand new tillers and make the size comparison. I'm sure the newest will dwarf the older ones and I will confidently say that anything that is gained in maneuverability with having the tillerman (so much for my PC'ness today) will be lost in the overall size of the vehicle. And for us to enjoy the features we are fond of on our rear-mount aerials (huge tip load, pre-piped waterways) will force us into the humongous category of tractor drawn aerials. The cramp angle for the steering on the RMs improves their overall maneuverability to a level where they will give a TDA a fair amount of competition and allows the officer and firefighter to be ready to go to work as soon as the maxibrake is applied.
If we want a realistic TDA, we would have to go with the DCFD spec and give up some of our capabilities.
[/quote]
You make many very valid points. Personally I think it is more a tradition thing going on in your neighboring autoaid department. I will be the first to say I really like Truck 208 despite I am not a TDA fan. Do they need a TDA at 208? No. When you look at the Alexandria Truck Company placements a TDA is best suited for 204's first due but the TDA is not assigned to 204 so that leads me to believe it is more tradition than anything. I know back when they first talked of replacing 208 with a rearmount it didn't sit well with some that there wouldn't a TDA left in NOVA (well the traditional urban portion of NOVA).
No, I am politely saying there are things that we like on our ladder trucks (pre-piped ladder pipes), massive tip loads for stokes basket lifting/lowering that, in my mind and experience, would create a behemoth TDA. I say, and again it's merely my opinion and observation, that, a well-designed rear-mount aerial ladder with a 45-dgree cramp angle on the front axle will be able to get the job done as well if not better than today's modern TDAs spec'd to do the same. I stated earlier in this thread that what is gained in manueverability in 21st century TDAs is lost in their massive size.
SrFireOfficial, on 04 July 2010 - 06:28 PM, said:
As for ladder trucks that bend in the middle, my two cents.
I was hired in 1984 and the majority of ladder trucks in the FRD fleet were tractor-drawn Seagrave, spanning an age range from 1960-something to early 1980 something. I challenge you to park the oldest tiller FXCO bought next to the last tiller we bought and note the changes in size. Now, pull up one of the 21st century brand new tillers and make the size comparison. I'm sure the newest will dwarf the older ones and I will confidently say that anything that is gained in maneuverability with having the tillerman (so much for my PC'ness today) will be lost in the overall size of the vehicle. And for us to enjoy the features we are fond of on our rear-mount aerials (huge tip load, pre-piped waterways) will force us into the humongous category of tractor drawn aerials. The cramp angle for the steering on the RMs improves their overall maneuverability to a level where they will give a TDA a fair amount of competition and allows the officer and firefighter to be ready to go to work as soon as the maxibrake is applied.
If we want a realistic TDA, we would have to go with the DCFD spec and give up some of our capabilities.
[/quote]
You make many very valid points. Personally I think it is more a tradition thing going on in your neighboring autoaid department. I will be the first to say I really like Truck 208 despite I am not a TDA fan. Do they need a TDA at 208? No. When you look at the Alexandria Truck Company placements a TDA is best suited for 204's first due but the TDA is not assigned to 204 so that leads me to believe it is more tradition than anything. I know back when they first talked of replacing 208 with a rearmount it didn't sit well with some that there wouldn't a TDA left in NOVA (well the traditional urban portion of NOVA).
Dave McClung
Arden Hills, Minnesota but....
my heart is also back in Northern VA, especially Alexandria.
All pictures are taken by me and subject to copyright.
No picture taken by me may be copied or linked without my
express permission.
Arden Hills, Minnesota but....
my heart is also back in Northern VA, especially Alexandria.
All pictures are taken by me and subject to copyright.
No picture taken by me may be copied or linked without my
express permission.
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