What is the purpose of a tiller fire truck?
What is the purpose of a tiller fire truck?
Tillers are trucks in which a firefighter at the back is able to steer the rear wheels, enabling the vehicle to make a sharper turn than it would otherwise be able to navigate. For a period, tillers were the main fire trucks in town.
How do tiller trucks work?
A tiller truck is a truck specifically designed for making tight corners, especially in the city. Picture a tractor-trailer rig with someone steering the trailer, as well as the tractor. For every turn the driver makes, the tiller driver makes the exact one just in the opposite direction.
Does FDNY have a tiller?
A tiller truck or tractor-drawn aerial ladder truck is another type of Ladder Truck operated by the FDNY.
Do two people steer a fire truck?
Tiller fire trucks have two drivers, with separate steering wheels for front and rear wheels. All the way at the rear. The tiller or “till” seat is an enclosed little compartment typically just above or behind the rear axle.
What is a tiller operator?
The person that steers the tiller is called a Tiller Operator and the seat provided from which to steer is called the tiller seat or “tiller bucket.” The responsibility of driving a Tractor Drawn Aerial Truck is divided between the Engineer and Tiller Operator.
Why did fire trucks have open cabs?
Open-cab fire trucks were common because they allowed firefighters dressed in fire gear to easily climb in and out of the fire trucks, and also allowed the firefighters a better view of the fire as they approached it, especially in cities, where firefighters could see higher floors of skyscrapers more easily.
How do I become a tillerman?
To become a tillerman, certification includes tests in a series of maneuvers, like driving through cones and reverse drills. About eight hours of training is required before you’re let loose on the street.
Can fire trucks move sideways?
Fire trucks are big vehicles. The truck can actually steer from both ends. In fact, the tiller operator will often turn the tiller in the same direction as the front wheel to “drift” the truck sideways in traffic. Tiller operators go to a special school to learn the proper techniques.
How tall is a tiller truck?
Tiller gross axle weight rating of 21,500 to 24,000 pounds. Width of 98 to 100 inches. Height of 10.5 to 11.5 feet. Length of 56 to 63 feet.
