Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by A.J. Timmer on December 11, 2010 at 3:47pm

Hey Stormy,
I have not compared many of the different brands, but I just went through the Katy extrication school here in Texas and we used the Hurst brand. They are getting a lot lighter and more compact and comparing to our depts Hurst tools we have the older lever action switch and at the school I really liked the rotating handle switch on the newer models. It prevents thumb cramps. ha. They also diplayed the battery powered tools, but have not used them. They would be ideal for rapid response. Anyway, wish I could give more info but thats my two cents. Take care out there and good luck. AJ

Permalink Reply by Stormey Tucker on December 11, 2010 at 4:11pm

AJ, Thanks for the info. I know what you mean about the whole thumb cramps! We have a couple of tools that are so old that the company doesn't even exist anymore and are so dang heavy that unless you can lay them on something or have someone backing you up then your gonna get tired real fast. I'm hoping that I can get some of the reps to come up here and let us demo their tools here shortly. So I guess I will wait and see!

Permalink Reply by Dale Barker on December 11, 2010 at 5:41pm

Hey Stormy,

We us the Hurst tool also. Even though it is the older version, I feel the strength is in their tool. We held an Open House in October and the neighboring company brought their Amkus in and the cut sheared a bolt/nut on the scissors and came back an hit one of my members right in the shield, luck he had it down or it would have been a run to the ER as it would have hit him in the forehead with FORCE.

So I pick the Hurst over the rest.

DB

Permalink Reply by Stormey Tucker on December 11, 2010 at 5:52pm

Hey Dale,
Yeah one of our members is completely sold on the Amkus....good thing he doesn't have a vote on it but I agree with you. Plus compared to the specs that I have seen on all of the other models Amkus doesn't compare to ones like Hurst or Champion and Amkus outweighs everyone else too. Thanks for your help!

Permalink Reply by Josh Gray on December 11, 2010 at 11:09pm

Yes we use Hurst as well and recently upgraded to their newer set we like them a lot. Another one I would suggest looking into as well that we tried out when were looking to replace our old Hurst tools was ResQtech. I would get ahold of a few different brands to demo though and see which ones fit you guys best before you make your final decision though.

Permalink Reply by Anthony Luchini on December 12, 2010 at 1:35pm

We have Hurst and TNT on our department. Our TNT tools are on our engine. I like TNT better than the Hurst tools because of weight and mobility.

Permalink Reply by Stormey Tucker on December 12, 2010 at 2:02pm

Thanks for the info guys! Like i said I before I was just hoping for some feed back from everyone and hopefully be able to have a rep. let us demo them.

Permalink Reply by Brian C Wilson on December 12, 2010 at 4:24pm

Stormy,

We use Holmatro rescue tools and have never had any trouble with them currently we have 3 sets.
They also have core technology so you only have 1 hose per tool. It would well worth your time to demo
Homatro.
BE SAFE
Brian

Permalink Reply by Mark Limmer on December 15, 2010 at 11:47am

Our department has TNT tools and we have not had any problems with them. They are easy to use with all ppe, not that heavy and their warranty is great. Our dealer will give you loaner tools if yours need to be repaired. Many other depts around have TNT also and I hear no complaints.

Permalink Reply by Darrell Hartmann on December 15, 2010 at 2:11pm

Hi Stormy,

We currently use TNT extrictation tools. They perform extremely well and our department can perform onsite and periodic maintenance as required without sending the tools out for an extended period of time and if a tool would fail, which they haven't, our local dealer has a replacement to fill in until our tool can be repaired.

The best advice I can offer is to ask your local reps to bring in thier equipment and have your team play with all of them and then make a discission. That way you have a local rep if something does go wrong and your team will feel confident in the equipment also.

Permalink Reply by Stormey Tucker on December 15, 2010 at 4:10pm

Hey thanks for your advice Mark and Darrell!I really appreciate everyone's opinions and helping out. We will be training with the Champion brand on Monday so I will hafta let you know how it goes. I had to use our wonderful stone age spreaders yesterday on a two vehicle head on collision. That was fun "not really" Lucky we were able to get everyone out and they were alive.

Stormey

Permalink Reply by Rod Irvine on December 15, 2010 at 6:39pm

Im not a volly but saw this thread and wanted to post .. During my time as a fireman only 14 years , i have used lukas , Holmatro , and hurst extrication gear , I have to say that in my opinion I really like the holmatro gear as it it lighter than most and is easy to throw around at jobs the only thing that i would like to change on it is the twist grip operation t the thumb twist of the lukas gear that my current brigade use , the H cutters are the best that i have used in terms of width of cut and they are strong too very hard to break (unless you try to cut a car axle , dont ask )the spreaders have the widest spread range that i have seen here in NZ and the dual core leads make ease of use a piece of cake , as to the other brands your looking at i cant comment cos i have never seen them .

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