New Bronto in service in Toronto

[Saffa]

A third tower apparatus to complement those in service at stations 331 and 333 was put into service on the afternoon of 19th February 2008 at station 114. It replaces Aerial platform 114 which had been in service at the north command headquarters since 1995. At this time approximately half of the personnel at the station have been trained on the vehicle, and further training is ongoing. The decision to locate this apparatus outside of the downtown core shows recognition of the growing population density in
the yonge/sheppard /Finch area. I've attached a pic of T333 which is identical except that the boom on T114 is painted white not grey.

Ladder is by Bronto Skylift ( 114ft )

Body by E-one

Thank you to Torontofirepics.com for the pic of T333

[FLASHOVER05]

They finally put it into service I see! It was at Toryork for quite some time

[FiremanLGT]

Saffa, any idea what they are doing with the one it replaces? Our Chief (ex Toronto DC) was looking at one that was recently replaced to replace our old dinosaur.
Nice looking rig by the way


My bet is it the 15 year old platform will get used as a spare vehicle....probably more than they will like. The Bronto is a complex and ridiculously expensive piece of equipment, and thus it's inevitable it'll have mechanical glitches from time to time.

[irsqyu]

Okay, thats what I thought, our Chiefs been eyeing something up down there. At least until we have the money to buy something big and expensive. I don't know how good it would be to us though as they are replacing trucks for a reason. We'll wait and see I guess...thanks


Hey a Toronto Bronto for Oro Medonto, awesome!:D

[BillyBlazes]

Both of the old Brontos that have been replaced are on the block to be sold.

[Saffa]

My bet is it the 15 year old platform will get used as a spare vehicle....probably more than they will like. The Bronto is a complex and ridiculously expensive piece of equipment, and thus it's inevitable it'll have mechanical glitches from time to time.

From what i've heard ( from tfs mechanical division.....SECOND HAND )...Platform 114 is to be sold and not used as a spare vehicle. Reasons given for this are that the maintenance on the ladder/platform including spare parts and ladder recertification by an outside contractor are too costly. This platform has had ongoing hydraulic problems for the past couple of years resulting in it being out of service for long periods of time. And yes the bronto is a complex vehicle..but will be replaced by a spare aerial and not a platform when out of service for mechanical reasons.

[FiremanLGT]

Interesting, thanks for the info.

[FitSsikS]

Hey a Toronto Bronto for Oro Medonto, awesome!
:)

If it's ok with the head honcho they should get one pronto.

[Firetruckguy]

As the person who brought Bronto to North America in 1985 I would caution againest a smaller community purchasing one of these 2 due to their obvious age/condition and also the maintenance and parts issues in addition to Training requirements.

They are a fantastic device however NOT for a FD that has only 1 Aerial Apparatus because of the costs associated with maintenance/parts/service and Training. Ideally they are for those FD's who have specific operational requirements and the Bronto "complements" their other apparatus IE: Toronto's 30+ Smeals etc.

At the time TFD purchased the 2 Bronto HDA's (HD Articulating 3 Boom) vs the new HDT (HD Telescopic/Articulating) they were going to replace old and discontinued 2 Boom Hi Ranger "Snorkel Type" devices that were at Station 2 and Station 5. The TFD needed a device that could go up and over the TTC wires etc in the downtown area and they were ideal for that and were at the time TFD's only Platform device.

The person in charge of apparatus at the time wanted them on a Mack Cabover which was at the time a great chassis and TFD had a lot of them but he didn't heed the advice about the suspension... Because the Platform stowed behind the truck the streets in Toronto were "hard" on the truck and the aerial device.

If Oro Medonte is looking for a good used aerial device to get them through a period of time before they can afford a new one then I would look at some good used aerial apparatus that dealers may have in stock.

[irsqyu]

Thanks Fire truck guy, he wasn't looking at an old Bronto, just something newer then our 79' beast! Until all the money is saved up to buy our new one. It's costing a lot just to keep the old one on the road! We've got a totally new council now as well, so I think we'll never see a truck like that anyways. But a nice Smeal aerial or aerial platform would be a nice addition to our hall!


Kudos to you Firetruckguy for giving good solid advice. I for one respect your knowledge and expertise. It's nice you can give an opinion like this without looking to plug your business. You always seem to give good sound unbiased information. :D

[Firetruckguy]

Thanks IRSQYU and I always try to be unbiased and forthright as that's what I believe this and Firehouse.com Forums are about but sometimes people use them to rant/rave and use for their own use instead of providing information and assistance.

Of course, I'm pleased to be of assistance to ANY FD or FF wanting information about apparatus as that's my forte as I don't fight fires or profess how to as that's you and all the other paid and volunteer FF's on here's expertise.. My role is to provide the safest and most appropriate apparatus possible to suit the budget and requirements and I'd rather NOT bid on a spec that I feel is not best suited for the application to avoid being tagged with "he's the guy who sold that one"...

As a major apparatus dealer in Canada I do take in a number of good used apparatus that I hope can find homes to FD's that can't afford a new apparatus and that it does serve their communities needs.

Be Safe!

[fueler]

DND got same trucks. Pretty cool units but maybe alittle to big for some of the bases

[NWOPCP]

DND got same trucks. Pretty cool units but maybe alittle to big for some of the bases

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vqyaxluwPs

Edmonton AB, Wainwright AB, Dundurn Sk, Halifax NS, and Petawawa ON.

[Saffa]

flag on the bottom of the cage is a nice touch and yup it looks identical to Tower 114, which by the way has already seen some action at multiple alarm fires in Toronto .

[firemanrick]

We have had one in service for about a year now.
Nice rig

[beyondengines]

A third tower apparatus to complement those in service at stations 331 and 333 was put into service on the afternoon of 19th February 2008 at station 114. It replaces Aerial platform 114 which had been in service at the north command headquarters since 1995. At this time approximately half of the personnel at the station have been trained on the vehicle, and further training is ongoing. The decision to locate this apparatus outside of the downtown core shows recognition of the growing population density in
the yonge/sheppard /Finch area. I've attached a pic of T333 which is identical except that the boom on T114 is painted white not grey.

Ladder is by Bronto Skylift ( 114ft )

Body by E-one

Thank you to Torontofirepics.com for the pic of T333

is the station on Yonge St.?

It's a RL or RLX？

I'm always wondering, why don't buy the vehicle direct from Bronto but from E-one, due to some techinical reasons?

THX for comments

[FLASHOVER05]

is the station on Yonge St.?

It's a RL or RLX？

I'm always wondering, why don't buy the vehicle direct from Bronto but from E-one, due to some techinical reasons?

THX for comments

Bronto's rights are held by Federal Signal (Emergency One's Parent Company) in North America

[FiremanLGT]

is the station on Yonge St.?



Just off of Yonge street (a few blocks south of Finch) on Canterbury. The Bronto's has been out of service for some time now and they've been using a spare Aerial.

[FLASHOVER05]

The Bronto's has been out of service for some time now and they've been using a spare Aerial.

That didnt take very long

[FiremanLGT]

The Bronto's has been out of service for some time now and they've been using a spare Aerial.

That didnt take very long

Hmmmm, I can see into the future apparently.........the following I posted several months ago

The Bronto is a complex and ridiculously expensive piece of equipment, and thus it's inevitable it'll have mechanical glitches from time to time.

[beyondengines]

If, only if, don't consider the Federal Signal/E-One's reason, which design do you prefer, North-American or European original style?

pic bellow is a F53 RL delivered 4 months ago

[FLASHOVER05]

I've always found the European style aerial devices interesting, they design a seating area for the operator.