Combining over 130 years of experience, Spartan Motors Inc. subsidiary Crimson Fire has introduced its first fire truck series since the merger that formed the company a year ago. The new Star Series features pumper-style fire trucks designed using the expertise of each of the merged company's predecessors.
Spartan Motors formed Crimson Fire in 2003 by combining its two fire apparatus subsidiaries, Luverne Apparatus, whose history dates back to 1912 and Quality Manufacturing, founded in 1962. The two companies were acquired by Spartan Motors in 1997. Following the merger, Crimson Fire continues to manufacture the product lines of each company and draws on the experience of both to create its new Star Series vehicles which are intended to replace these legacy product lines.
"We've listened to our customers, taken the best aspects of Quality and Luverne products, added new features and created the most user-friendly apparatus available today," said Jeff Lautt, president of Crimson Fire. "These apparatus are commonly built on Spartan Chassis' most popular chassis, the Gladiator," he added, noting that the series can also be fitted to Spartan's Advantage and Big Easy chassis.This combination of strength, fit and finish will ultimately help fire fighters perform their jobs at an even higher level." Lautt said.
The chassis for the Gladiator Evolution chassis used on the Star Series vehicles ate rated 42,000 lb. The chassis incorporates a six-cylinder, 24-valve, liquid cooled Cummins ISL diesel engine rated 350 hp at 2100 rpm. The engine is packaged with a Fleetguard fuel filter, Wabco air compressor, Farr dry-type air cleaners and a Leece-Neville alternator. Engine cooling is provided by an AKG cooling system.
Directly driven off the engine is a five-speed Allison EVS 3000 transmission which automatically selects gears based on the engine rpm, throttle position, vehicle load and road speed. An engine driven Vickers hydraulic power-steering pump supplies hydraulic power for the TRW steering gear controlled by a Douglas Autotech seven-position telescopic, tilt-steering column. Both the front ArvinMeritor MFS axle rated 18,000 lb. and rear ArvinMeritor single axle, rated 24,000 lb., incorporate Meritor Wabco antilock brakes. The front suspension includes two Bilstein monotubular shock absorbers that are nitrogen gas charged, while an Aero Glide suspension cushions the rear.
The chassis, which has a 190 in. wheelbase, is rounded out by Goodyear tires. Top speed for the vehicle is 75 mph at governed engine rpm.
The chassis frame is constructed of 110,000 psi steel and channel-type flame rails. Nestled between the rails is a 1000 gal. Propoly water tank. Water is delivered by" a Waterous CSUY 1500 gpm pump to six discharge points. The truck is also equipped with all electric upper deck gun which is operational through the remote Vulcan radio frequency controller designed and manufactured by Elkhart Brass Co.
Manufactured by Spartan Chassis, the cab features Seats Inc. 911 seats for the driver and officer. Both center and side-clustered instrument panels monitor all the system functions of the vehicle. An Onan hydraulic generator, driven off the vehicle engine, provides power for emergency equipment such as Jaws Of Life, as well as auxiliary lighting and Cans. Unused areas on the vehicle have also been repurposed for additional cargo storage, as well as a floor-dry system housed m the wheel well.
Crimson Fire is headquartered in Brandson, S.D, where it manufactures its line of aerial, heavy-duty rescue, tanker, mini-rescue and quick attack vehicles, as well as the Star Series. "We expect the Star Series to continue the positive order momentum we are experiencing at Crimson Fire" said John Sztykiel, CEO of Spartan Motors, "which will be reflected in our sales in 2004."
