Tillered "engine"

[GA_Dave]

I found it!  The article was in the December, 1974 issue of "FIRE COMMAND".  The concept was the idea of Chief Carl Thiele of the Springlake Fire District in Woodland, CA.  The District operated two of what they called Articulated Duplex Pumpers.  The first was built in 1963, the second in 1974.  The article featured the 1974 rig, but also gave limited info on the 1963 rig.  The 1963 version had a total pump capacity of 1250 GPM (two pumps) and carried 2000 gallons of water.  It also featured a 2500 watt lighting plant.  The focus of the article was the 1974 rig.  The tractor was a short wheelbase International CO-1910.  It had a 750 GPM pump that was powered by it's own engine.  A split hosebed (around the fifth wheel) carried 700' of 4" hose, as well as a couple attack lines.  The trailer carried another 750 GPM pump and engine, 1550 gallons of water, 1000' of 4", four preconnected attack lines, a deck gun, a booster reel and ground ladders.

 

The general idea was that the rig could drop the trailer at the fire scene and the tractor could lay out to a water source.  They could also drop the trailer at a scene with a nearby hydrant to act as one pumper and then use the tractor as a second pumper.  Another scenario could see the rig supplying a scene from draft, using both pumps to supply a 4" line. 

 

The Springlake Fire District merged with the City of Woodland in 1982.  I don't believe that any more articulated duplex pumpers were built by them, but the concept is interesting.  I did manage to find this video:

 

http://woodlandfiredepartmentvolunteersu...ional.html