Extrication Tools. What brand do you like?

My department is in the process of possibly buying new extrication tools and are looking at the different ends and outs of the spreader and cutter of brands like Champion, Hurst, TNT and a couple of others. What is everyone's opinion on these if any?

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Permalink Reply by Alan McGuigan on December 16, 2010 at 8:42am

Stormey
Our Station uses Holmatro and have had for several years, the equipment is light and easy to use twist handle is nice We have the larger power pack and the smaller more portable power pack, cutters, spreaders and a double acting ram. We have never had any problems with this equipment. We have used this equipment on both small and heavy motor vehicles such as transport tractor trailers and farm equipment, I have some limited experience with hurst and found them to be bulky and heavy but as many have said they have reduced the size and weight so my opinion may not apply to the newer equipment. I think the key is to get your members to look at the various options with an open mind, consider service and support. Get the various companies that you’re looking at to set up a demo for you on some actual cars, if you could set this up all at the same time it would give you a good opportunity to look at and compare the various equipment and evaluate and compare their performance and handling them . a lot will also depend on your budget what can your station afford

Permalink Reply by Stormey Tucker on December 16, 2010 at 1:59pm

Alan,
I'm not familiar with the Holmatro brand but several others had mentioned it and seems like something to look into. Problem is always finding a close rep and one that will be close enough to service it if something was to happen. But I will definitely look into it and see what I can find. Thanks for you help!
Stormey

Permalink Reply by Alan McGuigan on December 16, 2010 at 3:57pm

here's thier web site www.holmatro-usa.com

Permalink Reply by Dan Reeves on December 16, 2010 at 4:41pm

We've used Holmatro for several years, have two sets with spreaders, C-cutter, and rams. We've had very good luck with them. These were bought before Holmatro introduced the one hose "core" technology, and I have also heard good reports on them. Our previous tool was a Kinman combo tool that still runs, but is very heavy and hard to use.

Permalink Reply by StacyS on January 5, 2011 at 9:27pm

We had Hurst and just purchases Genesis. Can't even compare the two. We had 4 different vendors come in and let us test out their equipment and just "play". High pressure and low pressure. Genesis was so much more user friendly, my choice hands down.

Permalink Reply by Johnny Robinson on January 7, 2011 at 12:20am

We purchased a set of TNT tools tonight. Warranty and price were good. Guess we will find out how they work in 6 weeks.

Permalink Reply by Stormey Tucker on January 23, 2011 at 10:25pm

Well for everyone who replied to my discussion...Thank you. I'm happy to say that we finally had half way decent weather to be able to stand outside and test out the demo's. We tested the Champion brand, Hurst, TNT, and Amkus. I have to say that with extensive testing that we decided that the Champion worked the best for us. Its a brand that we weren't really familiar with but it worked out the best and from what I was told supposedly the New York departments are suppose to be getting the Champions also. So thanks again for every one's help!
Stormey

Permalink Reply by Kevin Riedinger on February 26, 2011 at 9:52am

Our department uses TNT, and we all love it. I especially like the twist handle. I have used the thumb switch and it is hard after a while.

Just to let you know what we did to decided. We had an extrication class in which we had three vechicles donated to us, we hade three reps from different brands come down and setup by each of the vehicles, we then got to use each. Hands on cutting up the vehicles. We got to change the tools ourselves (with the rep talking us thru it). It was great experience and everyone got to handle all the tools.

When we decided on TNT, the rep came back and held a class for the tools we purchased. How to set them up, how to store them and maintain them. He also came back several times to make sure we were happy. I am sure that reps from the others would have done the same, but not with 100% certainty.

Permalink Reply by Doug on April 5, 2011 at 2:13pm