An engine of the so called type 'LF 16/12' is a pumper (german expression: 'Loeschgruppenfahrzeug') that delivers at least 1600 l/min (410 gals/min) and has a built-in water tank that holds at least 1200 l (308 gals). It can be used for fire extinguishing (also in large scale), for technical help and for first aid. It has 9 seats for a so called 'Loeschgruppe' (a group that forms a base unit).
The engine with the plate 'HH-2598' belongs to a production run of 20 engines in total built in 2003 for the volunteer fire departments in Hamburg. It was put up in service on 11/25/2003 and delivered to the Eimsbuettel VFD on 12/13/2003.
The take over was made by the department chiefs at the fire school of Hamburg without any knowledge by the rest of the personnel. The chiefs first hided the engine in an off-area. Same evening the Christmas party of the department was held so it wasn't only the fondue to make the members happy but also the new engine as a Christmas present. After 10 years of beginning to develop new engines 'LF 16/12' - starting up in 1994 - finally the Eimsbuettel VFD also got this new engine as one of the last VFD's in Hamburg.
Some technical data:
Manufacturer MAN
Type L80 / LE 15.285
Diesel engine with 280 hp at a rotation of 2400 per minute
6871 cubic centimeters (1065 cubic inches) cylinder capacity
All-wheels-drive
High speed 95 km/h (59 mph)
5-speed automatic gear box
Length 7,35 m (24 ft 1.4 in), 8,25 m (27 ft 0.8 in) with rear bobbin
Width 2,5 m (8 ft 2.4 in)
Height 3,4 m (11 ft 1.9 in)
Maximum weight 15 tons (16.5 us-tons), empty weight 8,72 tons (9.61 us-tons)
Towing device with a maximum load of 2/1,5 tons (Trailer with/without brakes)
On clicking on a following picture you may see it in a bigger format!
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The body was manufactured by Ziegler, painting is held in bright red (with some reflection in daylight times). The pump also comes from Ziegler, it is a type FPN 10-2000 coupled with a water tank of 1600 l (410 gals) capacity. This is more than the German technical norm requires for engines of the type 'LF 16/12' (normally 1200 l / 308 gals). The cabin and the pump locker are equipped with auxiliary heating systems. A lamp post with 2x1000 watt light beams is integrated in the front part of the body, it can be extended pneumatically. More lights are assembled into the upper side and rear parts of the body as a light source for the surroundings of the vehicle. There is no special working light beam fixed at the front like other engines have, instead of this a transportable spot light belongs to the equipment. 4 blue front flashers (manufactured by Haensch), an additional flashing blue lamp (Bosch) at the rear end, pneumatic and electronic alarm fanfares are used to give free way on the streets. For security reasons three yellow flashers at the rear end give a warning sign to the rear traffic at the scene of fire.
A few details are shown here from the place of the machinist.
In the lower left corner 2 foot pedals are built in,
one for the use of the pump when driving slowly and the other one for switching the alarm horns.
The 4 meter-radio Teledux 9
from AEG is mounted underneath the roof,
best viewed on the larger picture. Several stuff like documents is placed
in the storage area between the front seats.
Here's also where the fittings for the walkie-talkies
for the machinist and group leader are located,
the rechargeable batteries of these are automatically charged when they are fitted.
The handset for the radio is located on the dashboard
between the machinist and group leader,
above the microphone for announcements over the external loudspeaker.
Among the seat and the storage area a portable lamp
for the group leader just can be seen.
The above-quoted spot light lies in the door's storage
and is connected to an own plug.
Ahead of the group leader's seat a blotting pad is fixed,
illuminated by a flexible lamp.
The picture beside shows the front bench, seen from drivers side,
where attack troop leader, group leader's assistant
and attack troop man take place back to vehicle's motion.
All three places are equipped with fittings for
respiratory equipment.
Here is also where secure fire ropes, escape covers and
the third walkie-talkie for the attack troop are stored.
Under the bench additional technical devices such as handsaws
are located and in the foot well the equipment to open doors.
On the rear bench the following order, seen again from drivers side,
takes place: water troop leader, hose troop leader, hose troop man and water troop man.
Every place is provided with seat belts.
There is more material here too, for example breathing protection filters,
warning vests and much more. The inner sides of the doors
carry warning triangles as warning signs for rear traffic when doors are opened.
In locker 1 (front of drivers side) mainly equipment for technical help is stored,
among other things a hydraulic rescue service cutter,
a hydraulic rescue spreader, a hydraulic pedal cutter
and three different hydraulic rescue cylinders
(manufactured by Holmatro),
3 pneumatic lifting cushions with accessory, wooden coings and wooden pall bitts,
2 dry powder extinguishers and one carbon dioxide extinguisher,
blocking poles, a crower, sluice sealers and a box-frame construction
to pick up water. Additionally the crew has access to a storage area
with brooms and other similar material, this one can be accessed from both sides.
Locker 2 (front of co-drivers side) carries the generator
which produces 8 kilowatts maximum output (230 and 400 volts a.c.),
a come-along clamp, a parting grinder and both electrical and gasoline
operated chainsaws with accessory. In addition there are tool kits
for electrical and gas devices and a portable light beam
which can be mounted on a tripod. At this point the built-in lamp
post can be operated from (extension, turning and inclining)
via a cable remote control (a second one is located in the pump locker).
Some parts of locker 2 are unused as the Eimsbuettel VFD does not operate
as first responder so the only medical equipment is made up of a first aid kit
and a portable stretcher. To use this empty room some traffic cones where fitted
because there was no other storage area available.
Locker 3 (rear of drivers side) is filled with four air cylinders
which can be used for respiratory equipment and also for the lifting cushions,
three hose baskets (each one filled with 45 meters hose in dimension 'C' with 52 millimeters
(2.05 inch) clearance), three rolled 'C'-hoses (one with a carrying device),
suction hoses, 2 axes and 2 spades, baskets and sponges, shackles, three rubbish hutches,
2 warning flashers, oil binder and a water distributor (this is also only a part of charging).
The breathing apparatus are fixed in height in opposite to former vehicles
so only tall people can use them really good, others have to unlock them before applying.
The traverse locker holds another water distributor to which a 'B'-hose
(75 millimeters = 2.95 inches clearance) is coupled permanently
so it can be brought in use very fast, and a can for holding gasolines.
A dimensionally stable hose reel tubing (60 meters with POK-fogfighter
with a reel-motor for rolling up the hose) is installed in locker 4
(rear on co-drivers side), also several other branch pipes,
a standpipe with fireplug unlocking key, an immersion pump with a delivery of 800 l/min
(205 gals/min), foam canisters, 4 rolled 'B'-hoses, a stirrup pump,
rubber boots and panties for wading and a general usable tool kit.
The traverse locker underneath holds all necessary things
for working with foam (foam branch pipe and foam injector).
The loading of the rear locker GR contains the above-quoted second cable remote control
for the light post. There is no remote control for the radio as other engines have,
only a loudspeaker is built in. A collection head and armatures for getting water
from open sources like lakes or rivers are located in a drawer over the pump.
Beneath you may see the tubes in which the suction hoses are stored.
Hard to view at the right edge of the picture, the black holder
carrying the blackboard for monitoring the breathing apparatus.
The rear end is plugged with a bobbin holding 8 'B'-hoses which can be handled by only one man. Both parts of the fixing mechanism can be turned to get flattened with the rear end, this ensures clear entry to the locker or using the towing device. There is no ability to mount a second bobbin or to turn the bobbin itself to the side.
On the roof 4 parts of a sealing ladder and a 3-parted extension ladder, a hose ramp and a basked filled up with foil are stored. The ladders don't contain an assistance system for untaking, also in opposite to former engines the roof of the crew's cabin isn't walkable any more.
Prior to release of the new engine the machinists of the VFD already made some drives for familiarization and learned how to operate the pump. Here fore an older but comparable engine was used; many thanks for this to the fellows of the Eidelstedt VFD. Of course the were lots of other preparing tasks necessary which were arranged in the duty roster of first part of 2004: working on the adequate topics and advertising additional duties. This was made to ensure that the crew got enough instruction to handle the engine when marching out to a fire or technical aid because this engine leaves the fire station first.
Additional information for model makers: How to rebuild the Eimsbuettel VFD LF 16/12.
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