How many miles does a typical Engine/Pumper have durring its line of service?

My crew and I were discussing how our 1992 Pierce has close to 100,000 miles on it we were wondering what most pumpers have durring there lifespan. I know alot goes into things such as pump time etc on some apparatus.

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Permalink Reply by Trainer on February 11, 2009 at 8:09am
Interesting discussion; I’m not sure miles are a big thing, well not for us, engine hours may be more appropriate, but I don’t know that off the top of my head. Our current frontline (99) has around 10,000 but we bought it as a demo and it had made the show circuit. We have a 69 that has 6200 miles on it. With 3 engines, a population base of 1500 and 42 sq miles, we don’t rack up to many.
Permalink Reply by John on February 11, 2009 at 8:30am
I think our Dept usue both milage and hours of service, We have rotated our Medics around to even out the miles on them. As for the amount of miles on apparatus I have no idea, a good discussion though.
Permalink Reply by paul michael komandt on May 10, 2009 at 3:26pm
We cover 25 sq miles with a pop of 4500, average 400 calls a year. Our first out (1991 international) was traded in 2007 with 17,000 miles on it, our second out engine mostly goes on MVA and fill sites is a 1994 int. with 11,000 on it.
Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on May 11, 2009 at 12:47am
Steve, the actual rule of thumb is years rather then miles. Most heavy working paid Departments look at 20 year life span. However, small rural volunteer agencies could get 30-40 years out of that same rig if it held up. While still others may get one of these hand me down and still get years out of them. Just depends on how much use and how hard it is.
Permalink Reply by Bryce Zitterich on May 11, 2009 at 1:01am
not sure of the mileage on our trucks, but we run a 2005 Smeal/Spartan that replaced a 1975 Oren/Hendrickson that is now our reserve Engine. Our second out is a 1978 Mack CF-650. I think alot has to do with coverage area, run volume and how the trucks are maintained. A well maintained truck will last a long time.
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Permalink Reply by Tony P on May 11, 2009 at 3:32am
Like others, distance traveled isn't a big thing and usually isn't noticed! Our vehicles are usually replaced after twenty years at which time those I've seen had less than 100,000 km (60,000 miles) on them. State-wide we have a system that will take vehicles from busier Brigades and pass them onto a less busy. This means that the busy ones stay with the newer vehicles. And yes, this has been known to annoy people in the less busy Brigades, about never being given a new truck.
Permalink Reply by paula beckham on May 13, 2009 at 1:29am
we are the same as tony on that one our truck has very low miles its a hand me down
Permalink Reply by Cody W. Nelson on May 13, 2009 at 2:51pm
We start looking to replace ours at around 60,000 miles.
Permalink Reply by Truckie Jay on May 13, 2009 at 3:58pm
You have to look at your demographics amongst other things. We purchased an 86 Hahn 55' telesquirt afew months back with 23k on it. That truck is now our first out at station 2. We cover 110 sq miles, pop. 30,000 and run 2000+ calls a year. Station 2 covers 1/3rd of the district and handles 90% of all mutual aids.

The Engine it replaced was a 2001 with 36k in mileage. Yes we bought a used 86 to replace a 01! Reason lack of maintenance was the primary reason. Previous administations didn't put forth the effort to keep up on the maintenance side of Operations. The new administration has made great strides in this area so far.

Question though how many calls does your station run a year? How many of those calls are ran out of the Engine? What is the average distance per call? These would be some questions you need to find the answer too. Once you've got the answers then figure out what you can do to reduce the amount of miles on your Engine.

For example when I started with my department we ran ALL calls out of the Engine. At that time only station 1 was staffed so 1800+ calls were all ran out of 1 apparatus. The average distance per call was 12 miles. Fast forward 3 years now we run the most appropriate apparatus, fuel effient apparatus to a call. Meaning, if a station is at full staff then 2 members will respond to medicals in a brush truck while the remaining staff remains in house with the Engine to handle that possible second call.

With the opening of a 2nd staffed station the average distanced dropped to around 5 miles. Then take into account 2 staffed stations & the appropriate apparatus thing we've seen our annual mileages per apparatus decrease drastically.
Permalink Reply by John Calender on May 13, 2009 at 11:22pm
Hours are the main thing to keep in mind. The math in 40 mph X hrs = ? Some use 35 mph.

This can be used for all maintance.
Permalink Reply by Cody W. Nelson on May 13, 2009 at 11:35pm
I think you are right. There are a lot of factors that go into replacing apparatus. We happen to be on a 3 year rotation per apparatus. We replace 3 of our 16 engines every year and 1 of our 5 trucks every 5 years. Luckily, I am not the one that is responsible for any of that. I just ride backwards with a smile.

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