Compact & capable tank pumper vehicles tackle forest fires and bush fires
Currently there is an increased interest in compact tank pumper vehicles that are not only suitable for the usual firefighting operations but also for fighting forest fires and bush fires or any other off-road operations. For these requirements IVECO MAGIRUS offers the optimum solution – as always complete from a single source.
The body of this firefighting allrounder is built up on an IVECO MAGIRUS 150 E 30 W chassis. The 6-cylinder engine achieves a power of 220 kW (299 HP), or alternatively 185 kW (251 HP), and thus provides for extremely fast progress even on the most difficult terrain. Depending on customer requirements or vehicle and country standards, total weights between 12,000 kg and 14,500 kg are possible. As transmissions a 6-speed or 8-speed manual gearbox, an automated gearbox EuroTronic or a fully automatic converter gearbox are fitted. The four-wheel drive permanently drives both axles, with a force distribution of 1/3 on the front axle and 2/3 on the rear axle. By means of a longitudinal differential lock in the four-wheel differential gearing, the force on the two axles can be equally distributed. Additional transverse differential locks in the rear and front axles improve traction even more.
Using a low-range reduction in the four-wheel differential gearing, the final speed is reduced and the traction force considerably increased at the same time. The large-volume single tyres have the same track width on both axles. In connection with the hub reduction axles, there thus results a high ground clearance. Oil pan and cooler are protected by a thick steel plate. A stable bumper made of steel is also part of the series standard equipment. For operations on or next to burning surface areas, the brake and diesel lines can be fitted with a heat protection cladding. At the same time, as an option for an improved water fording capability, a wading depth of approx. 800 mm is possible. In order to increase even more considerably the mobility of fire service vehicles in difficult terrain such as sand, morass, moor etc., the chassis can be equipped with a tyre pressure control system. The system allows the tyre pressure to be reduced, to increase the tyre contact area and to improve the self-cleaning effect of the tyres. A simple and fast handling is ensured and no trouble-prone rotary unions are required.
Short overhangs on both axles as well as folding entry steps on the front axle ensure maximum off-road capability. The possible overhang angles are 23 degrees at the front and 23 degrees at the rear. Due to the short wheelbase of 3,240 mm and the extreme steering angle of the front axle, a very tight turning circle is possible. The driver’s cab for 1 + 2 crew is the very comfortable and clearly laid out forward control cab from the IVECO MAGRUS EuroCargo range. It offers a large head clearance and knee space even for the central seat. The simple intuitive control principle of the successful IVECO MAGIRUS chassis facilitates operation as much as conceivably possible even for inexperienced drivers and voluntary firefighters.
A large windscreen and low-drawn side window panels provide for an excellent all-round visibility during the travelling but also directly in the theatre of operations. All chassis aggregates such as air compressor tanks, diesel tank, batteries etc., are mounted in the frame bed or on an aggregate mounting between cab and superstructure. This solution meets to an extremely large extent the requirements of fire services with regard to low superstructures.
The newly developed superstructure has been designed in the ultramodern MAGIRUS AluFire3 technology and implemented for the first time with just 2 side roller shutters. This provides for an particularly compact design with 5 equipment lockers and low rear overhang. Between the axles the superstructure has been deep drawn – for the ergonomically favourable removal of heavy equipment. Using hinged folding steps between the axles, the equipment can be comfortably removed from the top equipment compartments. Alternatively, an equipment locker, which is only semi-deep with fixed step bars, is available – a variant especially suitable for the most extreme off-road operations or for vehicles with a reduced additional load of technical firefighting equipment. The 3000 litres water tank has been integrated longitudinally in the AluFire3 body. This provides for easily accessible equipment stowage lockers around the tank.
In order to secure the vehicle, MAGIRUS high performance LED blue lights complete with design fairing are fitted on the cab roof. At the rear these lights have been integrated attractively into design elements. Also on the rear, there is an additional MAGIRUS traffic warning system with orange LED flash lights in order to secure the vehicle. A high performance LED surround lighting as a light band above all equipment lockers is integrated.
A powerful two-stage normal pressure fire centrifugal pump MAGIRUS FPN 10-2000 with the fully automatic priming system PRIMATIC is permanently installed in the rear of the vehicle. Control and monitoring is effected via easy to operate modern MAGIRUS HMI with comfort colour display in the pump compartment, in the cab as well as on the body roof. In this way, all pump functions can be controlled from the rear, from the body roof as well as from the cab, e.g. during pump-and-roll operation. MAGIRUS colour traffic guiding systems, automatic tank filling and pump pressure control systems complete the comfortable and safe operation of the pump. In total there are 4 lateral B outlets, one outlet for a folding hose device C 42 and a fixed piping to the water/foam monitor on the body roof. The roof monitor is easy to move into its operational position by means of a hinged joint and can be supplied with a range of different water nozzles or a self-aspirating foam pipe. The foam supply is effected by means of a foam suction pipe permanently installed from the ground to the monitor control station. Alternatively, various different versions of the pressure proportioning systems Magirus CaddiSys or FireDos are also possible. Folding rails and an eyelet for safety belts complete the monitor station on the roof. All equipment items and tactical fire fighting materials are stored ergonomically and in stable long-lived mountings.
A load for the fighting of forest fires is additionally provided. Sufficient empty spaces and weight reserves for other additional loads in accordance with local tactical requirements or additional loads depending on the time of year are available. The dimensions of the IVECO MAGIRUS “Forest Fire Fighting Master” are approx. 5,960 mm in length, maximal 2,500 mm in width and maximal 3,100 mm in height.
The new concept of this vehicle – superstructure in AluFire 3 with 2 lateral equipment lockers and a tank longitudinally integrated into the body – allows us to design compact and yet highly capable off-road vehicles for fire and civil protection operations, which simultaneously feature sufficiently large equipment lockers providing for the ergonomic removal of equipment items. The vehicle can be operated as a TLF 3000 or as a preceding standard TLF 20/30, TLF 20/40, TLF 16/45 or other national standard.
The IVECO MAGIRUS Group develops and produces in a total of six European production locations a worldwide unique range of vehicles and appliances for fire and civil protection. IVECO MAGIRUS is considered internationally to be one of the largest and technologically leading suppliers in the sector. In accordance with the customer structure, sales and service are internationally orientated. With regard to our turntable ladders, the traditional brand MAGIRUS is still the undisputed global market leader.
www.iveco-magirus.net
