PHOTOS BY EMS 12 (PAT SHOOP)

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I am interested to read that the former Old Forge ladder only has a tip load of 250 pounds, that would, in my head, really limit the staffing who could operate from the tip of this unit or use it safely for fire fighting.  Is this common of ladder trucks now a days or is this unit specific?  Seagrave specific??

The 250 pound tip load is typical when you only have two outriggers. That way, you can nose into a building (even driving up on the sidewalk etc), set your jacks on the street, and raise your stick. No wires to worry about. When you have 4 outriggers, typically they are all placed on solid ground, which often limits you to the street. Also, the 250 pound tip load is at low elevations...it goes up as the ladder is raised. Not often you are doing a rescue at horizontal. As well, there is a safety factor built in-depends on flowing water, etc but its typically designed for a 2 to 1 or 2.5 to 1 load.(meaning its designed for 500 pounds but rated for 250. Hope that helps.