Apparatus Quality Indicators

[spotthedalmation]

When you look at a truck, what makes you say... WOW -- That's a quality piece of equipment? What "Turns you on" to a particular truck? Conversely, What's a dead give away that the truck you're looking at is a POS? (Being Yellow doesn't count... because it's obviously not fully ripe yet)

Thanks...

Spot the DalmatiAn
(Engineers can't spell, what can I say?)

[FLAME5]

THE NAME PIERCE IS A DEAD GIVE AWAY FOR SOMEONE TO SAY WOW!

E-ONE POS!

[FireOne]

You know what they say about opinions. When it comes to trucks and what makes a person look and look again. I feel its the quality of the body and paint as you first look at it and then look under the hood. Look at the quality of the wiring and pluming. Just about all the fire apparatus companies are producing a good quality product today. The big difference is in the service after the sale. And in that case the Pierce is the POS.
Good Luck.

[LtStick]

I disagree with flames on this one. Just because something is made by Pierce doesn't necessarily mean its a going to be a quality truck. Conversely just because a truck is an E-One doesn't mean its a POS. KME builds quality trucks as well as many other manufacturers. To hear you talk I'd swear you worked for Pierce.

[jizumper-5]

I agree with LTStick on this one. A name does not equal quality. But if you want the scoop on KME, stop at Alpha (State College) and ask for a tour of their newest KME (and the last). I am sure you may change your mind. Scott or Rusty will do it best!

[mike021]

Hey Fire, I assume you had a probem with service on you Pierce? As far as I know that is the dealer you got the truck from not Pierce. We had a problem with a safety valve blowing out on the ladder pipe on our truck, the guys were there the next day, took it out, put a replacement on there. truck was in service less then 24 hours. Can't blame Pierce for how a dealer works. And as far as I've read on here I can't recall any problems with Pierce's service.

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This is your brain... Pierce
This is your Brain on drugs..... E-One
http://www.nfco1.freeservers.com

[NozzleHog]

I have to throw my vote to the side of those who consider E-One aluminum trash cans on wheels. They just don't hold up and are probably the worst I've ever had to work off.

Among the best - Pumpers: The old Mack CF's, Seagrave, and more recently, Pierce.
Ladders: Seagrave TDA's and Seagrave/Baker Aerialscope. And yes, they have to be red!

What "Turns me on" to a particular truck? It must stand up to heavy use over a period of time reliably. Show me something heavy duty, low maintenance, sturdy and practical.
A big part of the overall satisfaction with a rig is how it was spec'ed - a lot of thought should go into making sure it meets the need of the department. Underpowering a rig is the worst. I've found the simpler the better, give me a "plain Jane" rig any day over one with a lot of bells and whistles.

[FFE3BFD]

Name doesn't mean a thing to me. When I look at a piece of apparatus, I look to see how user-friendly it is. The modern day conception is: The more bells and whistles it has, the better it will work......Not true. Keep it simple, have enough cabinet space to carry stuff and enough room in the cab to sit the appropriate number of personnel. (Don't need a 10 man cab when only 5 respond)
POS: Something that doesn't belong, 2500 gal water tank in a good hydrant area, 95 ft. tower ladder in a SFD area or a 3000 GPM pump in an area that doesn't have a building that needs that kind of fire flow.

[ADSN/WFLD]

I look at the little things like do the doors fit well, Is the rig just spot welded or do continuous welds hold the body together. Are components riveted or screwed together. Do the screws have good fitting grommets or are they counting on the material to stop the screw from pulling through. Is the electrical system properly grounded or is it easy to loose a ground.

Every vehicle is nice when it's new the test is two , three, or four years down the road.

[Shoeless]

After being around all of these E-One's, I would be happy with a rig that has doors that close properly. I just got back from FDIC. I thought Smeal made a nice truck for St. Louis (no plastic inside!). I thought Seagrave had a nice rig as well. The doors shut when you closed them & it seemed like a solid truck.

Shoeless

[CFD14]

Another point of view. I just wish E-ONE would pay there bill that they owe my company. Pierce and Smeal always pay for the service we provide for them. E-ONE is still arguing about paying one from 09/29/2000.

The thing that makes me say WOW, is the truck has to look like it is ready to work and work hard. So it definitely has to be built solid.

[tc1chief]

Forget brand names for right now. answer the following questions through research and going around looking:
1. Is the pump panel user friendly, or do you have to look for the handle for a discharge.
2. Open and shut the compartment doors.
3. Does the manufacture have in house warranty work or do you have to take it back to the dealer.
Last and not least...
4. Does the salesman want to sell you what you and your department wants or does he try to sell you what he thinks you need.