New ladder truck adjustment

[u/BaptismByFire]

What's up guys, my Dept. just got a new mid-mount platform 100' ladder. I was trained on a 105' rear-mount platform ladder. I know there's gonna be a learning curve on the transition, but for the truckies out here, what differences on set-up can I look forward to?

[u/gerthworm]

Be sure to park about five feet closer.

[u/Greenstoneranch → u/gerthworm]

Tallest building in the area is a 5 story.

I think he'll be fine.

[u/Competitive-Drop2395]

Try to turn your steering wheel to "cab away" from the building if you dont get to park in an optimum spot. That allows the cab corner to move away from the area of Operations and open more working area at lower angles.

[u/The_Road_is_Calling]

Easier to position since the turntable is right on behind the cab.

Throwing low over the cab is much more limited and working off the rear will eat up more of your length.

The fly sections will be shorter giving you the ability to setup closer to the building.

[u/CriticPerspective → u/The_Road_is_Calling]

It’s a different setup, I’m not convinced it’s easier.

[u/the_falconator]

Pull past the house to put the turntable right at the 1-2 corner, kick the front end out and you can get a nice scrub area on all of side 1 and side 2. Make sure your engine company is pulling up further to give you plenty of room.

[u/Agreeable-Emu886]

Im assuming it’s a pierce MM without a raised cab? The general issues with this style is they’re better served backing into scene. This is due to the cab cutouts, they’re not good at going under wires and you need the first due engine to give you more room in front of the building. The cab is they tend to have a longer overall body length (our 95 ft is about 46 ft when you account of the bucket overhang). Ours also struggles mightily with tailswing due to the overall length increase. Only other issue with ours is the wide jack spread which can’t be avoided on towers

If you drive straight in and have the room, it’s also a good idea to angle away from the building the same way a tiller would. It helps to alleviate the cab cutouts

[u/Iraqx2]

Pull up right against the curb, have another firefighter get out and stand by the curb. Turn the wheel to the stops away from the curb and slowly pull ahead. Have the other firefighter stop you as the truck starts to come out of the turn. Go back and see just how far your bucket and tailboard swings over the curb just so you know how far it will swing out when driving.

When you are turning left look in the right mirror to make sure you don't have a vehicle right beside you that the bucket or tailboard will swing into and vice versa.

To elaborate on what's already been said. When you pull up on scene try to have your tailboard at the curb and the bumper about 8' away from the curb. This will help swing the cab out of the way to increase scrub area without giving up to much reach.

If you want to use the platform for a ground level attack into a strip mall, large store front, loading dock, etc., set the truck up so it leans towards the structure. Even though you're not level, as long as you're in the green you will have full capabilities (of course check with the manufacturer) and it will allow you to get the platform lower for the attack.

Depending upon the brand you may only have one set of out and down outriggers which will be easier to get between obstacles such as parked cars instead of trying to do it with two sets of out and down outriggers.