[quote name='Roto-Ray' post='178824' date='Jan 9 2008, 22:40 ']Ugh, the Spartan/Ferrara's! <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/machinegun.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
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Although purchased before my time on the apparatus committee, the then-chair of the committee commented that these three pumpers would "revolutionize the way we purchased fire apparatus in the county!" Well, he was right. We never purchased any more Spartans OR Ferraras. These things were and are horrible. They've been in the reserve fleet for several years now. However, only one remains as a reserve -- one was totalled while blocking a lane on I-95 last year, and the other one is assigned to the training division.
Related story: the suspension on these things were HORRIBLE. Not long after delivery, they had to be re-sprung. Even after that, we had a member driving one of them, struck a bump in the road, was thrown into the cab roof (yes, wearing his seatbelt), and when he landed, let's just say he did significant damage to his "special area." All three were again re-sprung on the front end immediately thereafter.
The only thing these do worse than go? Stop.
Ok, off my soapbox now. <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbsup.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
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Taylor, These probably were like the 1977's and 1978's ALF's we had at the 1's, 6's, 19's and 21's. They all rode like a buck board. I got back problems from when I was a loo at the 21's from riding that rough ride. They spent a lot of time a Thruston Spring!!!
' /> Although purchased before my time on the apparatus committee, the then-chair of the committee commented that these three pumpers would "revolutionize the way we purchased fire apparatus in the county!" Well, he was right. We never purchased any more Spartans OR Ferraras. These things were and are horrible. They've been in the reserve fleet for several years now. However, only one remains as a reserve -- one was totalled while blocking a lane on I-95 last year, and the other one is assigned to the training division.
Related story: the suspension on these things were HORRIBLE. Not long after delivery, they had to be re-sprung. Even after that, we had a member driving one of them, struck a bump in the road, was thrown into the cab roof (yes, wearing his seatbelt), and when he landed, let's just say he did significant damage to his "special area." All three were again re-sprung on the front end immediately thereafter.
The only thing these do worse than go? Stop.
Ok, off my soapbox now. <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbsup.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
' />[/quote]Taylor, These probably were like the 1977's and 1978's ALF's we had at the 1's, 6's, 19's and 21's. They all rode like a buck board. I got back problems from when I was a loo at the 21's from riding that rough ride. They spent a lot of time a Thruston Spring!!!
John Hinant
Retired Member of Richmond VA Fire Bureau
October 25, 1858 - October 25, 2020 = 162 years old
The sixth oldest paid, documented, Fire Department in the United States
First established in 1782
"In God We Trust - All Others We Take For Granted"
Retired Member of Richmond VA Fire Bureau
October 25, 1858 - October 25, 2020 = 162 years old
The sixth oldest paid, documented, Fire Department in the United States
First established in 1782
"In God We Trust - All Others We Take For Granted"
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