Apparatus Assignment History

[1261Truckie]

To All,

A question for all "youse guys":

In 1953 FDNY assigned 21 ALF metal aerials to various truck companies, in 1956 another 11 were assigned. In 1959, 11 85 ft Mack/Maxims and 2 Mack/Magirus rigs were placed in service and in 1960, 13 more Mack/Maxims were assigned.

Does anyone know what truck companies received these rigs in those years?

Also, while I know who received 1962/1963 Seagraves, I don't know who received their rig in 1962 and 1963.

Thanks, in advance, for any assistance with this.

Regards,

1261truckie (aka Jim Boyle)

 

[turk132]

If anybody knows it Jack Lerch @ the Mand Library

 

[raybrag]

In 1953, 21 ALF 700 series 85' aerials without doors were purchased.  They carried FDNY registration numbers 359 thru 379, and were assigned to ladders 2, 5, 9, 12, 17, 19, 22, 25, 28, 38, 43, 80, 102, 109, 111, 122, 126, 129, 131, 154 and 156.  This was the first large FDNY contract for metal aerials.  Source:  Jack Lerch, "FDNY update: 1952", Fire Apparatus Journal January-February 2004.

In 1956, 11 more ALF 85' ladders without doors were purchased.  Although classed by ALF as 700-series, these had windshields which were considerably less slanted than the 1953 models or any other ALF in prior years.  They were assigned to Ladders 1, 3, 18 & 40 in Manhattan; 27, 42 and 47 in the Bronx; 107, 108 & 120 in Brooklyn and 127 in Queens.  Source:  Jack Lerch, "FDNY update: 1956", Fire Apparatus Journal January-February 2007.   (If you want, this issue also tells which units were replaced with this purchase).

In 1959, the first 2 100-foot tillers were delivered.  These were open-cab Mack C-85/Maxim/Magirus rigs, with ladders by Magirus and hoists by Maxim.  They were assigned to Ladders 24 and 118, and cost $33,177 each.  Also delivered were 11 Mack C-85/Maxim 85' tillers equipped with 4-section Maxim metal ladders.  These cost $29,277 each and were assigned to Ladders 7, 11, 13, 16, 20, 21, 30, 35, 105, 132 & 151.  All of these tillers were equipped with 2 ladder pipes, enabling the department to dispose of the last 2 water towers which had been in reserve since 1957.  All ladder companies equipped with metal aerials now carried either 1 or 2 ladder pipes.  Source:  Jack Lerch, "New York City 50 Year Update: 1959", Fire Apparatus Journal January-February 2010.

Hope this helps.  These 50 year updates provide loads of great information, and Jack Lerch should be thanked for them.

P.S.  You'll have to wait a couple of years for the 60 & 62/63 information   ;D

 

[1261Truckie]

Thanks for the info guys

1261truckie

 

[mack]

In 1960, there were 13 ALF 100 ft aerials assigned to truck companies 1, 2, 3, 4, 23, 25, 26 29, 45, 102, 110, 114 and 131. (per WNYF October 1960)

Also, new WLF 1000 GPM pumpers went to engine companies 40, 42, 46, 82, 159, 204, 209, 216, 217, 220, 235, 260, 278, 297, 298 and 325.

 

[mack]

Ladder companies 19, 27, 40, 43, 103, 104, 111 and 123 received the 8 100 ft tiller Seagraves in 1962.  WNYF noted that 60% of hook and ladder companies were now "modern, hydraulic metal ladder types" when put into service.  These units had 2 900 GPM ladder pipes (one mounted to the bed section/one stowed for use at tip ladder section).  Also noted were all aluminum ground ladders and portable floodlights. 

 

[johnd248]

How many folks out there remember the wooden aerials that were not raised hydraulically?  I remember watching Ladder 147 at multi-unit drill in front of their quarters; The chauffeur would step on a release pedal on the turntable and the ladder would "spring" up.  The ladder was lowered by turning a large wheel which probably also would up the spring mechanism.  it was fun to watch; the turntable itself also had to be turned manually using a different wheel.

 

[rdm258]

There you go again, showing you age. LOL!
Had to be a site to see.

 

[mack]

Ladder companies 18, 42, 47, 48, 107, 108 and 120 received the 1963 Seagrave 100 ft tiller aerials.

By the way, 1963 also saw 10 1000 GPM International-Harvester pumpers go to engines 35, 53, 58, 59, 69, 73, 91, 94, 283, and 290.

There were a lot of different apparatus manufacturers used for all these pumpers and ladders from 1960-63.  ALF, Ward LaFrance, Mack, Seagrave, International-Harvester.  It would not seem to be the cheapest way to purchase and would seem to make parts and maintenance more of a challenge for the department shops mechanics.

 

[1261Truckie]

Wow, thanks to all who have responded!

Does anyone have a run down on the 1960 Mack/Maxim 85ft Tillers?

Thanks,

1261truckie

 

[firebuffkevin]

How many folks out there remember the wooden aerials that were not raised hydraulically?   I remember watching Ladder 147 at multi-unit drill in front of their quarters; The chauffeur would step on a release pedal on the turntable and the ladder would "spring" up.  The ladder was lowered by turning a large wheel which probably also would up the spring mechanism.  it was fun to watch; the turntable itself also had to be turned manually using a different wheel.

I remember the wooden ladders with manual turntables.    Ladder 167 had a wooden Seagrave

 

[guitarman314]

How many folks out there remember the wooden aerials that were not raised hydraulically?   I remember watching Ladder 147 at multi-unit drill in front of their quarters; The chauffeur would step on a release pedal on the turntable and the ladder would "spring" up.  The ladder was lowered by turning a large wheel which probably also would up the spring mechanism.  it was fun to watch; the turntable itself also had to be turned manually using a different wheel.

I remember the wooden ladders with manual turntables.    Ladder 167 had a wooden Seagrave

  L167 also had L110's old 1948 Seagrave which they attached a different tractor to.

 

[downtownmedic]

A little more detailed info for you -

The eight 1962 Seagrave KT 100' Tillered Aerials were Shop #'s 464 - 471, and were assigned, in order, to Ladders 104, 103, 43, 123, 40, 27, 19, and 111.

The seven 1963 Seagrave KT 100' Tillered Aerials were Shop #'s 472 - 478, and were assigned, in order, to Ladders 18, 48, 120, 107, 42, 108, and 24.

Interesting side note - Shop #468 tractor was destroyed when a wall collapsed on it in sometime around 1964.  Shop #476 trailer was damaged beyond repair in a collision around the same time.  The tractor from 476 was mated to the trailer of 468, and the apparatus was reassigned back to Ladder 42 on July 23, 1965 (utilizing Shop #468 as it's I.D.).  This apparatus was later reassigned to Ladder 51 on February 27, 1968, and became a spare on March 21, 1973.  It was disposed of on September 27, 1978.

 

[guitarman314]

A little more detailed info for you -

The eight 1962 Seagrave KT 100' Tillered Aerials were Shop #'s 464 - 471, and were assigned, in order, to Ladders 104, 103, 43, 123, 40, 27, 19, and 111.

The seven 1963 Seagrave KT 100' Tillered Aerials were Shop #'s 472 - 478, and were assigned, in order, to Ladders 18, 48, 120, 107, 42, 108, and 24.

Interesting side note - Shop #468 tractor was destroyed when a wall collapsed on it in sometime around 1964.  Shop #476 trailer was damaged beyond repair in a collision around the same time.  The tractor from 476 was mated to the trailer of 468, and the apparatus was reassigned back to Ladder 42 on July 23, 1965 (utilizing Shop #468 as it's I.D.).  This apparatus was later reassigned to Ladder 51 on February 27, 1968, and became a spare on March 21, 1973.  It was disposed of on September 27, 1978.

Yes, I remember there were some nice photos of that harlem wall collapse in the Daily News. It destroyed L40's tractor (2nd time for L40, remember their 1940 Ahrens-Fox suffered a similar fate) and one of the 1963 International pumpers was also damaged by that wall collapse. After that L40 wound up with a 1960 Mack until 1971.

 

[guitarman314]

The past two days I've been trying to download my list of 1953 ALF, 1953 Pirsch, 1955 FWD (wood), and 1956 ALF ladders. This shows which companies they went to in succession. I got the information from Jack way back in 1986:

 

[raybrag]

GMan:  your list shows more than 1 co for many of the trucks.  Can I assume that's the units they moved to during their careers?

 

[guitarman314]

GMan:  your list shows more than 1 co for many of the trucks.  Can I assume that's the units they moved to during their careers?

Yes, for instance L19: when L19 got their 62 Sgr in 1962 the '53 ALF went to L15.