JoeL4330
Platinum Member
I understand the Murphy's law concern about the bucket ...but, I believe I have seen "dry break" "pull away" couplers ...so, no harm and no water lost if you forget. ...just a thought
TC24D Fire Rig (Class 7)
- Thread starter LAGEORGE
- Start date
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KAB
Gold Member
You made it national! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif There was just a small bit on Cleveland Ohio Fox News.
Way To GO
Kurt
Way To GO
Kurt
OP
LAGEORGE
Silver Member
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2003
- Messages
- 208
- Tractor
- busted up New Holland TC 24D hydro :(, Replacment NH TC 24D!
Cool! I made it national. Now I am up to 17 minutes of fame.
We had someone stop by saying that a major tractor manufacturer might be interested in the rig. I am holding off mentioning whom but some of you may guess it. I was asked if I could get the weight down and lower the cost of production. Also if I could make it safe for use by a home resident who also uses thing like a brush hog or heavy backhoe attachment.
I have already shared lots of details on the fire rig with many here but I could write a book on exactly what I had to do. It really is not a spray rig in the typical sense. I can’t see anyone using 30GPM at 290 PSI to spray Roundup from a hand nozzle. I do see it being used for irrigation, dust control, cleanup and spraying of large orchard trees.
Many of our fellow members could benefit from this type of attachment.
If you care about the safety of your home, crop, preserve. Then maybe it’s worth building one or buying one. To me it seems like cheap insurance when your home could go up in flames while your tractor just sits there uselessly.
LAGEORGE
We had someone stop by saying that a major tractor manufacturer might be interested in the rig. I am holding off mentioning whom but some of you may guess it. I was asked if I could get the weight down and lower the cost of production. Also if I could make it safe for use by a home resident who also uses thing like a brush hog or heavy backhoe attachment.
I have already shared lots of details on the fire rig with many here but I could write a book on exactly what I had to do. It really is not a spray rig in the typical sense. I can’t see anyone using 30GPM at 290 PSI to spray Roundup from a hand nozzle. I do see it being used for irrigation, dust control, cleanup and spraying of large orchard trees.
Many of our fellow members could benefit from this type of attachment.
If you care about the safety of your home, crop, preserve. Then maybe it’s worth building one or buying one. To me it seems like cheap insurance when your home could go up in flames while your tractor just sits there uselessly.
LAGEORGE
JustGary
Silver Member
<font color="blue"> "I can’t see anyone using 30GPM at 290 PSI to spray Roundup from a hand nozzle." </font>
You know, maybe that's exactly what I've been looking for to control this Yaupon...
Congratulations, you've got a great thing going. Lookout, American LaFrance, it's American LaGeorge!
- Just Gary
You know, maybe that's exactly what I've been looking for to control this Yaupon...
Congratulations, you've got a great thing going. Lookout, American LaFrance, it's American LaGeorge!
- Just Gary
wvhillbilly
Bronze Member
That is a nifty rig. As a VOLUNTEER firefighter myself, I can appreciate that project and want to build one myself now. I know what you mean about response times. That surprises me how long a wait you have considering where you live. That rig would be excellent for brush fires and gives me an idea for use on my property. But as far as a house fire, it will knock it down some, but probably would not make much of a dent. At rated flow, your tank would be empty in less that 4 minutes. Is the rig gonna stay attached to your tractor?? Just remember, God forbid it is a house fire, toxic smoke inhalation is probably a far greater danger than fire itself.
D
D
OP
LAGEORGE
Silver Member
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2003
- Messages
- 208
- Tractor
- busted up New Holland TC 24D hydro :(, Replacment NH TC 24D!
Wvhillbilly, thanks for your professional insight on fire fighting. Our engine was built to Class 7 wild land specifications. In matter of fact it is on the upper range. And you are right; we will go through our water supply real fast. That is why we have installed 3 full flow wild land hydrants on our property. All are capable of flowing over 30GPM. In addition we have a 550-gallon tank in case the water supply dries up during a wildfire situation.
We do not live all that far from the station 15-20 minutes MAX. It has more to do with the 911 system that routes our call to the wrong county and the winding road that would make a direct route to us. Basically the fire depart has to take three legs of a rectangle to get to our place and beyond. So why not lend them a hand on my side of town. (they really could use a second station)
The drill for us is that we (wife?) calls 911 I move the tractor into position she pulls the hose and gives me the thumbs up to start the pump (150 PSI) then I go hook up to the hydrant and hopefully get back prior to going through our water supply. I then take over the hose and my wife increases the pressure to 200-250 PSI at the nozzle. She then backs me up and coordinates with fire or law enforcement when they arrive.
The attachment goes on and off with little pain but is not something you want to do in a panic. We leave it on when we don’t need to use our regular attachments. And since we have the orchard we end up spraying a lot of water most of the time.
Our fire rig attachment was really built to take care of brush fire dangers. And as a first response to any fire. Fire is really serious business and has it’s danger associated with it. But like our tractors that I consider dangerous pieces of equipment. Training, practice coupled with common sense is really all one can do to keep one’s self out of trouble.
I have attached a picture of the water tank and home made hydrant system.
LAGEORGE
We do not live all that far from the station 15-20 minutes MAX. It has more to do with the 911 system that routes our call to the wrong county and the winding road that would make a direct route to us. Basically the fire depart has to take three legs of a rectangle to get to our place and beyond. So why not lend them a hand on my side of town. (they really could use a second station)
The drill for us is that we (wife?) calls 911 I move the tractor into position she pulls the hose and gives me the thumbs up to start the pump (150 PSI) then I go hook up to the hydrant and hopefully get back prior to going through our water supply. I then take over the hose and my wife increases the pressure to 200-250 PSI at the nozzle. She then backs me up and coordinates with fire or law enforcement when they arrive.
The attachment goes on and off with little pain but is not something you want to do in a panic. We leave it on when we don’t need to use our regular attachments. And since we have the orchard we end up spraying a lot of water most of the time.
Our fire rig attachment was really built to take care of brush fire dangers. And as a first response to any fire. Fire is really serious business and has it’s danger associated with it. But like our tractors that I consider dangerous pieces of equipment. Training, practice coupled with common sense is really all one can do to keep one’s self out of trouble.
I have attached a picture of the water tank and home made hydrant system.
LAGEORGE
Attachments
wvhillbilly
Bronze Member
I LOVE IT!!!! Your explanation helped me out a bunch. Heck of a setup.. Now I really am jealous!! As a firefighter, I love to see people who think the way you do. Makes our job a lot easier. Now what would be neat is if you set up a valving system where the fire dept. could pull up and you could switch off your supply(in case it goes dry) and a tanker could hook up to you and supply your system. It looks like you used standard fire hose cennections. 1 1/2 or 2 inch?? They could utilize that to directly connect their hose and as we say, "put the wet stuff on the red stuff".
In my earlier reply, I hope I did not insult you, your system or your level of firefighting ability when it comes to house fires. I have only been in our local department for 11 years, but I have seen a lot of people get rushed off to the hospital trying to save their house from fire. I know myself, if I were in that position (God forbid) that I would be dragging out the garden hose and doing what I can to save what I have worked so hard for.
Once again, I love your system (and jealous that I do not have one), and my hats off to you for the thought and work you put into saving what YOU have worked so hard for.
Take Care,
Dave
In my earlier reply, I hope I did not insult you, your system or your level of firefighting ability when it comes to house fires. I have only been in our local department for 11 years, but I have seen a lot of people get rushed off to the hospital trying to save their house from fire. I know myself, if I were in that position (God forbid) that I would be dragging out the garden hose and doing what I can to save what I have worked so hard for.
Once again, I love your system (and jealous that I do not have one), and my hats off to you for the thought and work you put into saving what YOU have worked so hard for.
Take Care,
Dave
