Sutphen SP 70

[NewJerseyFFII]

What are your likes or dislikes of the Sutphen 70' Platform Quint on a single rear axle. And also the new Sutphen SL 75 midmount aerial with a 750lb tip load wet & 1000lb dry load !..

[ctxffman]

does it have the split bucket? our 1989 65' has a split bucket and it's no fun to work out of.

it's had it share of issues, mostly electric in nature, had some issues with bolts coming loose after delivery and throttle control on pump panel, but still running calls 18 yrs later. the ladder controls are just above the pump panel, so not as convenient as on the turntable.

I personally feel they build good trucks.

had loose bolts issues on the twin '93 engines when they were first delivered.

[Epinephrine]

We just took delivery of an SL75 a few months ago, and it is a nice truck. The ladder is one of the most stable I've climbed, in addition to having tall handrails. The truck is solid as well, and the guys who delivered the truck from Sutphen were fantastic in explaining all the features to us. The truck will pretty much run as a Quint, however we were able to get 500gal of water on it while being able to easily fit 1000ft of 5".

The only thing we're not a huge fan of is having the controls above the pump panel, as ctxffman stated. It's not a deal breaker by any standards, but it makes controlling the aerial from the driver's side a bit different than on a turntable. I think having these controls hooked directly into the hydraulic system is great, so I'm not sure if there was a better spot to put them. We also have a few weak points right around the turn table where there is not enough re-enforcement of the diamond plate, but I'm sure that can be resolved as well.

My biggest issue with Sutphen's in general just revolves around leg room in the back of the cab. On the forward facing seats your knees are right on the engine tunnel. It's nothing that makes it unbearable, more just annoying. I'd recommend either getting a larger cab, or going with rear facing seats (the better option).

Sutphen (Sutphen Towers) builds a great truck, you won't be dissapointed.

[thouse2]

Sutphen 70' tower

Sutphen builds a good truck. We have had three platforms. However, this particular model has some drawbacks. The jacks must stay level. We found out the hard way if you set one jack on a curb and the other in the street, the curb jack will break (not retract). Also, no short-jacking. One button sets the jacks and you're done. If your area is flat with ample streets you should be OK. I would get a demo and try it. The larger sutphens let you set up anywhere.

We have also spent a lot of money on brakes. I'm not sure if we are driving it too hard, have too many hills, or its the truck. We had a fire truck repair shop take over maintenance to get a handle on the problem.

I would call departments that have them. I called dozens of fire department maintenance shops and chiefs when checking out the bidders for our last aerial. The shop foremen, firefighters, and mechanics went out of their way to help. They will tell you things they would never repeat in a forum like this. There are some real lemons out there.

[RFDACM02]

I think the biggest detractor of all (except the newest 100") Sutphen Towers is the bucket. First is the hanging down off the rear so that this is the first thing to get hit in an accident. But operationally the stupid box that sticks down below the basket, just baffles my. Why is it there? To prevent you from setting down on a roof? You cannot work a roof with any protection of the bucket, such as standing in the door or on a lip edge! This is a huge problem in my eyes as we (the F.S.) see the gross overuse of the truss systems. With no safety of an aerail to work from, vertical vent will not be an option.

[NewJerseyFFII]

Sp 70

One of the things I like about the Sutphen SP 70 is it's only ( 41'-4" ) long from the front bumper to the bucket. I also do not like the way they have the bucket hang past the rear of the apparatus, it sould have a longer body for more equipment space !

[LtSuperG]

Sutphen

I don't know much about the newer Sutphens but I do know that my department has a 100' bucket that's about 8 or 10 years old. I've been doing this a long time and I've had experience with many different manufacturers (KME, Baker/Aerialscope, Seagrave, Pierce, etc.) and I'll tell you one thing, Sutphen is by far the worst! I have to honestly say it's about the most poorly designed ladder that I've ever worked with. The bucket off the back and down low is a driving nightmare. The ground ladders mounted on the side of the truck (on the horizontal) are difficult to remove and restore. The controls on the bucket are lousy. The cab (enclosed, 5 person) is WAY too small and poorly laid out. If you actually have to flow water out of it, forget about it being easy, as the nozzle control design is antiquated.

I know there are departments out there that swear by them but I wouldn't touch another one with a ten foot pole. I'd take a refurbed FDNY unit before I'd buy another Sutphen.

Just my 2 cents, not that it's even worth that much!

Take care and stay safe.

[NewJerseyFFII]

I don't know much about the newer Sutphens but I do know that my department has a 100' bucket that's about 8 or 10 years old. I've been doing this a long time and I've had experience with many different manufacturers (KME, Baker/Aerialscope, Seagrave, Pierce, etc.) and I'll tell you one thing, Sutphen is by far the worst! I have to honestly say it's about the most poorly designed ladder that I've ever worked with. The bucket off the back and down low is a driving nightmare. The ground ladders mounted on the side of the truck (on the horizontal) are difficult to remove and restore. The controls on the bucket are lousy. The cab (enclosed, 5 person) is WAY too small and poorly laid out. If you actually have to flow water out of it, forget about it being easy, as the nozzle control design is antiquated.

I know there are departments out there that swear by them but I wouldn't touch another one with a ten foot pole. I'd take a refurbed FDNY unit before I'd buy another Sutphen.

Just my 2 cents, not that it's even worth that much!

Take care and stay safe.

Most of the fire fighters on my department would rather operate our 20 year old Mack/Baker 75' for the next ten years before they have to use a new aerial ladder of a different make or type !....