New Custom Chassis Developed for Fire Service
30 August 1999
New Custom Chassis Developed for Fire Service: Pierce Manufacturing's New Contender Series Custom Chassis Brings Affordable Quality and Purpose-Built Design To Fire Departments
APPLETON, Wis.--Aug. 28, 1999--Pierce Manufacturing Inc., North America's leading manufacturer of custom fire apparatus, unveiled the Contender Series(TM) Custom, a new addition to its popular Contender Series line of commercial apparatus.The Contender Series Custom is a true custom fire chassis and provides more configurations, options, and design flexibility in apparatus design when compared to commercial chassis. The classic cab-over-engine design provides a shorter wheelbase for excellent maneuverability and better handling. The cab is more spacious and has better visibility than any competing model. The overall performance of this vehicle surpasses any commercial chassis available to the fire service today.
The Contender Series Custom offers fire departments that normally buy commercial chassis in order to save money an opportunity to order a custom fire apparatus, which will better meet their department's needs. Unlike commercial chassis, the Contender Series Custom was engineered from the frame rails up for only one purpose -- top firefighting performance.
"Our newest custom chassis upholds the best Pierce traditions of outstanding quality and relentless reliability. The Contender Series Custom incorporates all the benefits of a true custom fire truck -- safety, advanced engineering, fully integrated systems and uncompromising performance -- all from a single-source manufacturer. We can honestly say we offer more value-per-dollar than anyone else in the industry," said John Randjelovic, president of Pierce Manufacturing.
The Contender Series Custom was introduced at Fire-Rescue '99, the convention of the International Association of Fire Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo., held August 28-31.
Spacious, Quiet Cab
The new Contender Series Custom is loaded with value-added features. The vehicle features an all-aluminum four-door cab which is virtually corrosion free and covered by a 10-year structural warranty. Its step-in height is 22 inches, with an overall ground-to-cab-floor dimension of 37 inches. The larger door-to-door, floor-to-ceiling and back-to-front dimensions create a spacious 340 cubic-foot cab. It can seat up to six firefighters. The classic fire cab design also has twin 27.5 by 50-inch windshields to give the Contender Series Custom a huge 2,750 square inches of unobstructed forward visibility. The Contender Series Custom offers more in the areas of corrosion resistance, spaciousness and visibility than any competing model.
Custom Benefits for Long Lasting Value
The automotive-style heating, ventilation and air conditioning system is more powerful than those found in a commercial chassis and provides maximum airflow, defrosting, heating and cooling capability.
Engine access and maintenance are fast and easy, thanks to an electric/hydraulic cab-tilt system and engine tunnel access panel for routine fluid level checks. The electrical systems are integrated throughout the vehicle and are specially designed to handle large power requirements. Commercial chassis frequently feature electrical systems that must be modified to handle the additional demands of firefighting-specific systems.
The chassis is powered by a Detroit Diesel Series 40 diesel engine rated at 300 horsepower and an Allison MD-3060P five-speed automatic transmission. Standard equipment includes a Waterous 1,250 gpm pump with pressure governor, 1,000-gallon water tank, three ground ladders, four 2.5-inch discharge outlets covering all three sides of the body, and a Code-3 NFPA lighting package.
A chassis with a 169-inch wheelbase has a curb-to-curb turning distance of just 28 feet.
Departments can customize the truck they need. Major options include four engine choices from Cummins and Detroit Diesel, a raised roof cab, air conditioning, dual heaters, custom hose and outlet configurations and selections in battery charging, seating, lighting and storage.
The Contender Series Custom chassis is engineered and manufactured at Pierce's headquarters in Appleton, Wis. Pierce pumper bodies are completed and installed on the chassis at the company's Bradenton, Fla., facilities. Vehicles are available for immediate delivery.
Pierce Manufacturing Inc. is the leading North American manufacturer of custom fire apparatus and a subsidiary of Oshkosh Truck Corporation . Products include custom and commercial pumpers, aerials, rescue trucks, wildland trucks, minipumpers and elliptical tankers. Pierce(R) apparatus are backed by 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week service, with the strongest support network dedicated exclusively to the fire service.