[quote name='JFong' timestamp='1317106077' post='458231']
I have always wondered why BLM was the largest user of Freighliner chassis while the International was the predominant chassis for wildland apparatus.
[/quote]
I think that is just how the contracts worked out, weight could have something to do with it too. Maybe the IH scores better at the 26-28,000 lbs range of most type 3s since it seems like most of the FLs I've seen at the USFS and BLM are the heavy type 4 engines and water tenders. I was told that IH won the bid for the USFS Model 62 in 2001 because of a tape deck, FL only included an AM/FM stereo. If that is true it shows how close these bids can be.
It could also be FL put more effort into the BLM contracts or S&S (which built a ton of equipment for the BLM) had a preference for FL that influenced the contract language.
I know personal bias of a manager can get into contracts. Years ago my Fire Management Officer (District Chief) was a big Ford guy, one of the main reasons he pushed to replace our 1 ton type 6 engines with something heavier is at that time only Ford was offering a 1 1/4 ton truck (F-450) so he knew it would mean replacing our 1993 Dodge 350s, with 1999 Ford F-450s.
There is no shortage of IH trucks in the BLM, but again many of them are the type 3 engines.
I have always wondered why BLM was the largest user of Freighliner chassis while the International was the predominant chassis for wildland apparatus.
[/quote]
I think that is just how the contracts worked out, weight could have something to do with it too. Maybe the IH scores better at the 26-28,000 lbs range of most type 3s since it seems like most of the FLs I've seen at the USFS and BLM are the heavy type 4 engines and water tenders. I was told that IH won the bid for the USFS Model 62 in 2001 because of a tape deck, FL only included an AM/FM stereo. If that is true it shows how close these bids can be.
It could also be FL put more effort into the BLM contracts or S&S (which built a ton of equipment for the BLM) had a preference for FL that influenced the contract language.
I know personal bias of a manager can get into contracts. Years ago my Fire Management Officer (District Chief) was a big Ford guy, one of the main reasons he pushed to replace our 1 ton type 6 engines with something heavier is at that time only Ford was offering a 1 1/4 ton truck (F-450) so he knew it would mean replacing our 1993 Dodge 350s, with 1999 Ford F-450s.
There is no shortage of IH trucks in the BLM, but again many of them are the type 3 engines.
Aaron Woods
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