New Engines. Who to choose and who to stay away from?

Im looking for some opinions. We are a small rural dept. getting ready to purchase a new engine. We operate 4guys trucks now but Smeal,Ferrara,Pierce,Sutphen etc are wanting our business. Any advice is appreciated. Chief Mike Young Woodsfield Oh

Views: 149

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Chief 29 on January 27, 2009 at 10:52am
4Guys is a good truck (we have a custom Hahn/4 Guys Tanker). Pierce also is a quality truck builder along with Smeal. Some of the others I am unfamiliar with. We purchased a Seagrave in 04 and it has been the best purchase we have made to date.
You need to put a little more info in your question to get the advice you are looking for. What are you looking to do with this truck? Do you want just a plain old engine or do you have some extras that you are looking to add?
Give some of these people on this site some more input and you will be surprised at some of the replies/ideas you get.
Permalink Reply by Adam Box on January 27, 2009 at 11:01am
Having limited knowledge, I will only comment on what I know. My department has really been enjoying our Pierce engines. The service we get from them is phenomenal. We also operate a 1993 Seagrave quint. We've had trouble with their service department. (occasionally we just have the guys from Pierce take a look at it.) In a couple years, when the quint is up for replacement, we'll most likely be getting a Pierce.
Permalink Reply by Mike Young on January 27, 2009 at 11:02am
Its gonna be 1000 gal tank, with a foam pro system,6 man cab with a hale 1,500 gpm pump. I didnt include alot of info. Just wanting to see if any one had bad or good experiences theyd like to share such as mechanical or warranty problems. Thanks
Permalink Reply by firechief911 on January 27, 2009 at 11:03am
If you are looking for a pumper tanker you might look into deep south fire trucks in Miss. they build a nice truck .check out there recent sales page on there web site. there about 9 of there trucks in our county and we have one ordered i like em. they can spec what your lookin for and do you right
A lot of times you pay a lot for a big name . be wise with your money you can get more .

The name can't put out the fire
Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on January 27, 2009 at 12:44pm
I think you might find that ALL of the companies WANT your business....We bought our last Engine from Jerome Fire...it is a Darley with a custom cab...officer and operator in front....crew of 4 in the back...CAFS equipped...2000 gal/minute pump 1000 gallons water on board....Have been quite happy with it ......Paul
Smoke EaterPermalink Reply by Smoke Eater on January 27, 2009 at 11:16pm
Don't go with Ferrara!!! We got one a couple of years ago and had numerous problems within the first 6 months. I am very partial to KME. I heard they don't hold up in the city, but comming from a rural dept. that had 2, we couldn't have asked for better trucks. Good luck and I hope whatever you decide on works out great for you guys.
Stay safe!!!
Permalink Reply by Teddy on January 27, 2009 at 11:20pm
We are running a 2005 Pierce 100' HD tractor drawn, and I love it, great truck! (It's also a rescue truck, so we have a full set of hurst tools and other extrication equipment, hence the third picture)
Attachments:
Permalink Reply by Teddy on January 27, 2009 at 11:22pm
Sorry I'm an idiot, haha i saw truck in the first post and forgot you were looking for an Engine, my bad haha
Permalink Reply by turk182 on January 27, 2009 at 11:25pm
Neighboring department has a KME and have had alot of problems with it.
Permalink Reply by Capt. Jeff Lee on January 27, 2009 at 11:38pm
We went to bid last year after spec'ing out what we wanted for 2 yrs. We have an '04 E-one that we are more than happy with and an older Pierce that needs to be replaced. Bids came back from E-one, KME & Pierce. After alot of asking around, checking out some trucks from nieghboring Dept.s, and talking to our good buddy that does all our work for us, we awarded the bid to KME. Nice truck!!
Permalink Reply by Greg on January 28, 2009 at 12:56am
I'm on 2 different depts. and I can tell you to stay away from E one. They have been nothing but problems on both depts. I can tell you that I was the chairman of the new apparatus committee in charge of a Rescue-Pumper and we found Smeal to be the best choice for us. They were willing to do pretty much anything for us and we have had a perfect history with them and our 2 other Smeals. Definately a quality truck for the money. Pierce are also great trucks but they just tend to be a little pricey. Good luck.

▶ Reply to Discussion

RSS

FireRescue Magazine

Find Members Fast


Or Name, Dept, Keyword
• Invite Your Friends
• Not a Member? Join Now

© 2024   Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.   Powered by

Badges  |  Contact Firefighter Nation  |  Terms of Service