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A red and white aerial fire truck with a lifted ladder is pictured on the edge of beach and body of water at dusk.Summer offers unique fire prevention and control challenges, and it’s also a critical time for preventative maintenance and fleet management as firefighters and apparatus strive to stay cool.

There are simple steps to follow to ensure a fire truck cooling system remains in good working order and any service needs are addressed before the hottest time of the year.

Pierce Manufacturing offers a full complement of aftermarket and product support and service, helping keep your apparatus in good condition when it’s needed most. Here are some tips to keep your fire truck cool and efficient this summer.

1. Initiate a Summer Inspection and Preventive Maintenance Program

A close up view of the Pierce PACCAR MX-13 engine is pictured on a chassis with a lifted cab. Preventative maintenance, equipment training and parts management are essential to the value and longevity of a fire truck. Establishing a preventative maintenance program is key to fleet management and it’s important to inspect all fire truck parts seasonally.

As you prepare for hot summer weather, here are the critical components to inspect and repair to keep your fire apparatus in top working condition:

  • Belts and hoses: Be sure to check the fire truck’s cooling and alternator belts for wear and proper tension. Incorrect belt tension can be especially damaging in summer because it causes the alternator to work harder, creating more heat and increasing the likelihood of overheating. Check the hoses and the radiator cap as well.
  • Fluids: Check the firehouse bays regularly for any leaked fluid, including brake, transmission, coolant, transfer case and oil.
  • Cooling system: The cooling system is especially vulnerable in summer. A small amount of fluid loss is normal, but the coolant should not fall below the minimum line. Coolant level should be checked and maintained within the sight glass near the top of the radiator. Refer to the chassis manuals for proper coolant and levels. If it does fall below the minimum line, check carefully along the hoses and lines for leaks or stains. If you don’t find a leak, refill the reservoir and check back often to make sure you’re not losing fluid. It is also important to remember that air flow is an essential part of the cooling system. The air intake and front grille opening should not be blocked or covered in any way by items not installed at the factory.

If you notice any irregularities with your fire truck’s cooling system, belts, hoses or fluids, consult your vehicle manual. Pierce Manufacturing provides all manuals and fleet maintenance requirements online at pierceparts.com, helping vehicle operators identify the source of any leaks with 24/7 access to fleet maintenance information about their unique vehicles. If your truck requires service, Pierce offers prompt service and a vast inventory of spare parts to get your apparatus back in operation.

As a leader in fire apparatus manufacturing, Pierce Manufacturing offers the highest quality of aftermarket and product support. When a fire department chooses Pierce, they will experience service excellence through the life of their apparatus, including replacement parts and parts support, training programs for apparatus operation and maintenance, and 24/7 technical support.

2. Know Your Gauges

The interior of a Pierce Manufacturing fire truck cab shows a close up of the steering wheel and system gauges.It’s important to get to know every detail of your fire apparatus, and that includes paying attention to all of the gauges. The temperature gauge is critical to ensure that the engine is cooling properly.

Get to know the normal temperature range for your engine by reading the training manual and noting the temperature often and in varying conditions.

A significant shift in temperature indicates the cooling system needs attention. Other gauges to note are voltage, transmission temperature and oil pressure.

3. Know Your Engine

One of the main concerns about fire apparatus in summer is overheating. It’s important to know if your engine is prone to overheating, and if so, check to see if it requires service.https://www.piercemfg.com/pierce/blog/fire-truck-engine-choice

Along with the Cummins line of engines, Pierce has partnered with PACCAR engine company to offer the PACCAR MX-13, a first-class engine for custom fire apparatus.

The MX13 engine offers maximum reliability with the backing of the exceptional service teams at Pierce Manufacturing and through Pierce’s network of dealers.

4. Use the Proper Coolant

Check the manufacturer’s requirements to ensure the proper coolant and mixture of water and coolant in your cooling system. Engine compatible ELC (extended life coolant) should be used when adding or changing coolant. Using the right coolant and mixture will provide protection in the hottest conditions.

5. Choose an Enhanced HVAC System

A fire truck HVAC system in the roof of the cab. Pierce’s new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system is more efficient than previous systems. Improved climate controls are similar to those in an automotive vehicle, allowing operators to control fan, temperature and air flow.

The new defog and defrost capabilities quickly clear the windshield and side windows. The system offers a wider airflow pattern across the windshield, allowing occupants to better maintain a comfortable environment and keep the windshield clear. 

6. Don’t Overload Your Fire Truck

A red aerial fire truck sprays water from its tower in a country setting. Pay close attention to your truck’s gross vehicle weight rating. Overloading your truck forces the engine and cooling system to work harder, which can lead to overheating and engine damage. Contact Pierce product support if you are unsure of your apparatus’ weight rating.

In addition, smart and strategic compartmentation will help you stay within the weight rating. Heavy and frequently used equipment, such as extrication tools and ladders, should be placed low, while lighter tools or tools used less frequently should be placed higher up.

Efficient compartmentation can also save critical seconds during a fire response. Make sure every part has its place through dedicated equipment locations, mounting brackets, pull-out trays, pegboards, swing boards and strategic equipment loading.

With careful inspections, preventative maintenance, correct use of equipment and efficient use of space, you can keep your fire apparatus running smoothly and cool all summer long.

If you have any questions about your fire truck’s cooling system, please reach out to your dealer today
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Posted: Jul 6, 2021 8:00:00 AM by Pierce Mfg.

Topics: Products, Customers, Manufacturing

About Pierce Manufacturing
Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation [NYSE: OSK] business, is the leading North American manufacturer of custom fire apparatus. Products include custom and commercial pumpers, aerials, rescue trucks, wildland trucks, mini pumpers, and homeland security apparatus. In addition, Pierce designs its own foam systems and was the first company to introduce frontal airbags and the Side Roll Protection system to fire apparatus. To learn more about Pierce, visit www.piercemfg.com.

About Oshkosh Corporation

At Oshkosh (NYSE: OSK), we make innovative, mission-critical equipment to help everyday heroes advance communities around the world. Headquartered in Wisconsin, Oshkosh Corporation employs over 18,000 team members worldwide, all united behind a common purpose: to make a difference in people’s lives. Oshkosh products can be found in more than 150 countries under the brands of JLG®, Pierce®, MAXIMETAL, Oshkosh® S-Series™, Oshkosh® Defense, McNeilus®, IMT®, Jerr-Dan®, Frontline™ Communications, Oshkosh® Airport Products, Oshkosh AeroTech™ and Pratt Miller. For more information, visit oshkoshcorp.com.

®, ™ All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that the Company believes to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this news release, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “project” or “plan” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include the Company's ability to successfully integrate the AeroTech acquisition and to realize the anticipated benefits associated with the same; the risks associated with international operations and sales, including compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act;  the Company’s ability to comply with complex laws and regulations applicable to U.S. government contractors; cybersecurity risks and costs of defending against, mitigating and responding to data security threats and breaches impacting the Company; the Company’s ability to successfully identify, complete and integrate other acquisitions and to realize the anticipated benefits associated with the same; and risks related to the Company’s ability to successfully execute on its strategic road map and meet its long-term financial goals. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update information contained in this news release. Investors should be aware that the Company may not update such information until the Company’s next quarterly earnings conference call, if at all.

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