Hi,
I may be opening myself up to a bit of a hit, but - I am Andrew Geue, I work for Moore Engineering - I do the tender response and also some of the design work on the appliances.
I would be happy to answer questions (that I am allowed to) and put Moore Engineerings angle on what and why.
Just looking at some of the posts so far:
Rust - It would be swarf from steel drilling sitting on the aluminium frame - Aluminium, what the frame, fops, step etc are made of doesent rust like steel.
Truck seems like it is floating - The weight distribution criteria states a max on the front axle - full of people and stowage. We allow 6 persons at 90 KG in the cab for calculation purposes.If the cab only has one person, it makes a bit of difference to the handling. Also the weight is biased to leave the front axle feeling a bit light, this is a result of the weight limit of the axle under ADR. It may well need a bit more weight forward to feel comfortable, but it is difficult to achieve give the specifications.
Vehicle lighting. - It is a little on the low side - a pole light would help a lot. - If members would like to See the addition of a pole light on rural appliances they should lobby through the Vehicle committee (if it is still going?)
BA Brackets - We opt for our "simple" design - it is cost effective. The other models rely on gas struts and other mechanical aids, these are all fine whilst working, but down the track (when the manufacturer goes bust) you will not be able to get parts. Our system should last 20 years with little or no service work required. Also being cost effective we can value add to other areas of the appliance. (like flow control, pistol grip branches)
Speed limiter over ride - This is done by North East Isuzu.
Inlets and outlets - Inlets - the new 34 has a 500 GPM Darley, we have adapted the plumbing from a 4" stortz to a 2 1/2" SAMFS fitting. teh 4" stortz allows suction from a static supply (hope they have the 4" hard suction on site) this give the pump a chance to draft and develop the pump capacity. The tank fill (hydrant fill) is for filling the tank from a SA Water supply. This is done in a effort to meet SA Water back flow prevention requirements. There are 2 outlets.
We have a web site - it has not been upgraded for a long time. I am in the process of trying to get it updated as we speak. mooreengineering.com.au
Hope this helps.
Any other issues I will do my best to give a honest answer. We do not have all the answers or know everything about about fire trucks, we are also always keen to listen to those in the know (you, the fire fighters).
Andrew Geue
Moore Engineering
PS sorry for the spelling and typos, I am doing this in my lunch brake