First Leyland Firemaster Shown at Manchester
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--r-HE first completed LeylandFiremaster was demonstrated to fire officers and representativesof local authorities at Manchester last week. It is the first fire appliance made by Leyland Motors, Ltd., since war-time difficulties resulted in their withdrawal from the market. The Firemastcr, which has an underfloor engine with only the controls and steering column above the chassis line, has been evolved as a result of co-operation between Lieut. Cdr. N. K. Hoare, Chief Officer, Manchester Fire Brigade, and Mr. V. W. Pilkington, technical director of Leyland.
A 9.8-litre oil engine, with an output of 150 b.h.p. at its governed maximum speed of 2,200 r.p.m., is employed. Power is transmitted through' the Leyland Pneurno-Cyclic gearbox. The design provides for an interlock which ensures that the road-wheel brakes are automatically applied when the pump is in operation.
In front of the engine is a ponier transfer box, giving a 2-to-1 step-up •for •driving both the main and hose-reel pumps, which are mounted on the front of the chassis. The pneumatic pump controls are located at the front of the appliance. The power-transfer box and pump controls, mounted at the front of the Firemaster, can clearly be seen in this The engine radiator is at the side, to facilitate the suitable disposition of fire equipment on the body, which is of Carmichael manufacture.
The power unit is readily accessible should attention be necessary during long continued pumping. The manufacturers state that the Firemaster will climb and start on gradients of up to 1-in-4, and will attain maximum speeds of 55-60 m.p.h.
Wheelbase of the Firemaster is 12 ft. 6 in.; the overall width of the demonstration appliance was 7 ft. 6 in. and overall length 22 ft. Weight was approximately 81 tons.
The main pump is a Sigmund FN5 with a rated output of 900 g.p.m. at 3,000 r.p.m. pump speed. The water supply can be projected through four 21-in. deliveries, or through a 6-in. pipe. During the demonstration, water was raised through the 6-in, pipe to a height of 70 ft. The delivery rate represented more than 5 tons discharge per minute.
The Hathaway high-pressure hose-reel pump was demonstrated supplying from a 100-gal, tank at an impeller speed of 9,000 r.p.m. Two 1-in. branches were shown discharging at a nozzle pressure of 60 p.s.i. to a height of 95 ft.