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John - You have probably noticed the trend in many parts of Europe to custom-build the crew cab and combine it with the standard two door tilting truck cab, rather than using the factory crew cabs. As you mention, the custom cabs usually offer easier access and egress, are also often wider and have improved headroom.
The German 10/6 is a DIN design intended primarily for use as a first response unit by volunteer fire companies, and it is one of few modern fire trucks which is still required to have a nine person cab. This is not an option on a MAN, as their factory crew cab will accommodate only six in any case.
Until very recently, German pumpers still carried their BA sets in a revolving cassette, mounted inside a side locker, but they too are now often fitting two or occasionally more sets into the seatbacks in the crew cab.
Interestingly, a few German fire services do operate Scanias, and they like them a lot. They are also found in France and seeveral other European countries as well as the UK, and they are generally considered to be very reliable and durable trucks. But there is no Scania 8 ton chassis, so they cannot participate in the light pump segment. In Germany, these are mainly MAN and Mercedes, with a few IVECO units, although these are becoming less popular.
Added by Rob Johnson on 19 December 2013.
The German 10/6 is a DIN design intended primarily for use as a first response unit by volunteer fire companies, and it is one of few modern fire trucks which is still required to have a nine person cab. This is not an option on a MAN, as their factory crew cab will accommodate only six in any case.
Until very recently, German pumpers still carried their BA sets in a revolving cassette, mounted inside a side locker, but they too are now often fitting two or occasionally more sets into the seatbacks in the crew cab.
Interestingly, a few German fire services do operate Scanias, and they like them a lot. They are also found in France and seeveral other European countries as well as the UK, and they are generally considered to be very reliable and durable trucks. But there is no Scania 8 ton chassis, so they cannot participate in the light pump segment. In Germany, these are mainly MAN and Mercedes, with a few IVECO units, although these are becoming less popular.
Added by Rob Johnson on 19 December 2013.
Thanks Rob, interesting as we had earlier mentioned the wonderful lighter trucks from Japan and a possible use for them in the UK!
Elsewhere on this site there has been much discussion about Scania, I admit to being old school, apart from Bedfords the appliances that I most loved ( B Type ) were the Sabre and Rapier.
The buyer, offered five for the price of four will always opt for the cheaper as opposed to running a quality machine for twenty odd years.
As we have seen recently though on here with the ex Southampton Airport machines, refurbishment is a very viable option. I am still in touch with many folk within the MoD, they point to the refurb of the MFV as an example, it frankly is a very good machine and its equal has not yet been found.
Added by John Stott on 19 December 2013.
Elsewhere on this site there has been much discussion about Scania, I admit to being old school, apart from Bedfords the appliances that I most loved ( B Type ) were the Sabre and Rapier.
The buyer, offered five for the price of four will always opt for the cheaper as opposed to running a quality machine for twenty odd years.
As we have seen recently though on here with the ex Southampton Airport machines, refurbishment is a very viable option. I am still in touch with many folk within the MoD, they point to the refurb of the MFV as an example, it frankly is a very good machine and its equal has not yet been found.
Added by John Stott on 19 December 2013.
The Japanese truck manufacturers have a huge export business in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and a lot of Australian fire trucks are on Japanese chassis - but they never made any real effort to sell their products in Europe because of the different regulatory environment. In Japan, there are a small number of custom cab fire trucks, including some very advanced designs, but the vast majority use factory crew cabs. They typically carry BA sets in the side lockers instead of the cab. Pumps, aerials and rescues are all designed to accommodate five crew, so the need for a larger cab does not arise.
Regarding refurbishment, I am sure you have noticed the huge numbers of quite elderly and mostly second-hand fire trucks still in front line service in many different south American fire services. Most of these are US makes, but they also include a wide selection of different European chassis from many countries. Looking at these, it seems that a well-maintained pumper should be able to have a service life of 30 to 40 years with one or two major overhauls. Modern bodywork construction methods might possibly give us even longer service lives in the future.
Added by Rob Johnson on 20 December 2013.
Regarding refurbishment, I am sure you have noticed the huge numbers of quite elderly and mostly second-hand fire trucks still in front line service in many different south American fire services. Most of these are US makes, but they also include a wide selection of different European chassis from many countries. Looking at these, it seems that a well-maintained pumper should be able to have a service life of 30 to 40 years with one or two major overhauls. Modern bodywork construction methods might possibly give us even longer service lives in the future.
Added by Rob Johnson on 20 December 2013.
MAN
Having watched men in BA egress cabs with several steps, ie truck driver steps, this is wonderful. Many of the faults of a cheap and cheerful Scania lorry cab are done away with here, not before time.
Added by John Stott on 18 December 2013.