Fire Engines Photos

I have been wondering one thing for a while. Here, in the USA, our ladders are mounted on turntables and that's how climb off an onto the ladder. How did firefighters climb onto this ladder, seeing the bottom rung is about 4' off the ground?

Added by David L on 07 March 2010.

David:

British turntable ladders carried an additional short ladder, which hooked on to the bottom rung of the extension ladder after it had been positioned. It could be removed if the ladder then needed further rotation, then easily replaced.

The same "technology" was employed on other European design ladders, most of which were of German origin, manufactured by Magirus or Metz.

Newer designs had a built-in sliding ladder, achieving the same access but at less risk of being lost!

Added by Rob Johnson on 04 April 2018.

Thanks for the answer, Rob.

Added by David L on 19 April 2018.

Also of course the center of gravity is behind the pivot so the ladder is more stable , can stand higher forces.

Added by Neal Glover on 19 April 2018.

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