Departments with limited budgets, or those that want a reserve or second-out unit, often purchase used apparatus to meet their needs. Departments should evaluate potential purchases carefully to get the best value for their money.

One of the advantages of used apparatus is the opportunity to get low-mileage units for a fraction of the original purchase price. Many of these units have custom cabs, large engines and other premium features that smaller departments couldn't afford when purchasing new trucks. Most have received regular maintenance and have many years of useful service ahead.

The dark side of purchasing used apparatus is buying those that were poorly specced and poorly maintained. These units will be difficult to operate and costly to keep in service. In the worst cases, they may be so unsafe that they endanger the lives of the firefighters who use them.

Primo pumpers

Buying a good, used pumper is a relatively straightforward task, and departments should find a good supply of apparatus in many configurations, brands and price ranges. As with any purchase, buyers should consider what they need and how well a particular unit will meet those needs.

Departments first should determine the pump capacity they need to meet the required fire flows for structures in their areas. Minimum requirements usually are set by the Insurance Services Office and are based on the type of building construction, size and distance from other structures. Departments may choose to exceed the minimum flows based on their own preferences or on expected future growth. Departments operating at elevations above 2,000 feet will need to consult the pump manufacturer to determine the appropriate rating to achieve the desired flow.

The tank capacity and condition also are important considerations. Departments without readily accessible water supplies may want pumpers with large tanks to sustain the initial attack while other units establish a tanker shuttle or hose relay. Tanks made from polypropylene, fiberglass, stainless steel or other corrosion-resistant materials generally have longer lives than those made from steel. Whenever possible, departments should inspect the interior of the tank to determine the material's condition and to check for adequate baffling. Tank repairs on pumpers usually involve major disassembly of the body and can be expensive, so it's always best to look before you buy.

The choice of cab and chassis should be based on practical considerations rather than perception. In general, custom-cab pumpers offer more seating space but make engine access more difficult. Older custom cabs also can be noisier and hotter inside the crew compartment because some models lack sufficient insulation. Custom cabs and chassis made by manufacturers that are now out of business may present parts and service problems for second owners, whereas most older commercial cabs and chassis still have readily available parts and service sources.

Finally, the general condition and maintenance history of pumpers are more important than the age, mileage or engine hours. Used pumpers always should be given a thorough visual inspection to determine the overall condition and detect any physical damage. The inspection should include the frame rails to spot any cracks or modifications that might compromise frame strength. Check the pump plumbing for signs of galvanic corrosion that can cause leaks or result in premature failure of components. Finish by reviewing all maintenance records to determine how often the apparatus was maintained and to spot any recurring problems.

Buyers should be especially aware of the pump test results. Pumps that were operated at maximum speed to deliver the rated flow may have excessive wear and will need work in the near future. Pump tests that were conducted at long intervals, or not at all, will not gain any ISO credit. At a minimum, such pumps may require several annual tests by the new owners to re-establish a qualifying baseline.

Outstanding aerials

Aerials represent a significant investment, and used ones pose a significant potential for liability. Departments looking for a used aerial should be prepared to conduct a detailed investigation before they buy.

The most important concern about used aerials is the strength of the aerial device itself. This is a matter of safety and shouldn't be dismissed with a verbal reassurance from the seller. All used aerials should be examined by an independent, third-party testing service and be certified according to the latest edition of NFPA 1911, Inspection, Maintenance, Testing, and Retirement of In-Service Automotive Fire Apparatus. Buyers should insist on these tests at the time of sale, even if the aerials were certified within the last year. Buyers also should understand that some aerials built before 1991 may not be designed to support the current minimum tip load at full horizontal extension and may not be suitable for some applications.

Besides aerial strength, buyers should consider how they intend to use an aerial. Departments that simply need to move personnel to the roofs of structures or deliver single elevated master streams probably would find aerial ladders satisfactory and less expensive. Those that need to rescue non-ambulatory victims from upper-story windows or deliver two elevated master streams from the same aerial probably would want aerial platforms. Departments that have never had aerials before may want to lease or rent one for a short period to determine if a particular configuration meets their needs.

Considerations involving the cab and chassis, pumps and water tanks on used aerials are similar to those on pumpers. In addition, buyers also should consider overall apparatus height, width and length to avoid the oft-told stories of departments buying an apparatus that hits low overpasses or won't fit in the station. When selecting aerial lengths, departments should consider the building setback distances from the nearest points of approach, as well as the differences in elevation from the building to the apparatus. Sometimes it takes a 100-foot aerial to reach the roof of a 50-foot building.

Maintenance checks also should be one of the considerations. They are doubly important with aerials because of the numerous components and systems not found on other apparatus. In addition to checking the cabs, chassis, bodies and pumps, potential buyers should check the operation and condition of the aerial hydraulic and electrical systems including the stabilizers and outriggers. Some buyers hire certified EVTCC aerial technicians to inspect used aerials before they buy them.

And the rest …

Although pumpers and aerials are the most common types of apparatus found on the resale market, potential buyers can find a smaller number of good-quality tankers, rescues, ambulances and other apparatus.

Most tankers remain in service far longer than other apparatus and tend to be much older when they reach the used-truck market. Tankers with low-profile tanks, adequate internal baffling, and large fill and dump ports will provide good sustained flows in shuttle operations and are less likely to roll over accidentally. Units with pumps and pre-connected attack hose add versatility.

Used rescues can offer good values for second owners who know how to match their equipment to the proper body configuration. Walk-around bodies with roll-up compartment doors, one or more transverse compartments for long items, and roll-out equipment trays for heavy items can meet the needs of many departments. Rescues with on-board generators and area lights can be used as support vehicles at fires and other incidents.

Ambulances see a great deal of service and are often worn out by the time they are sold. The best bets for used ambulances are those built on medium-duty truck chassis that typically have stronger frames, bigger engines and heavier suspensions than what's found on light-duty chassis. Rear air suspensions can significantly reduce road shocks and vibration and often extend the lives of the ambulance bodies and components.

Used apparatus can range from well-maintained units with good, clean specs to poorly maintained units with specs that only the original owner could love. Although different departments have different maintenance capabilities and use different apparatus configurations, potential buyers should be aware that some used apparatus may have more problems than they're worth.

For example, apparatus that weren't built to the NFPA standard of the time or that have been severely modified after delivery should be viewed with suspicion. This includes all apparatus built before 1979 and apparatus built by a department or local shop. Buyers should check for proper safety and performance features on these rigs and decide accordingly.

Prototype apparatus, unique configurations and apparatus built by companies that are now out of business may present problems in finding parts and service. This applies to the chassis and body, as well as any major components such as aerials, early antilock braking systems and first-generation multiplex electrical systems. In extreme cases, the failure of a simple part might take the entire apparatus out of service while the department searches for a replacement. (See “Did You Know? Help for Older Apparatus” in this month's edition of In Service Online at www.firechief.com.)

Other serious problems to avoid are overweight apparatus or those that have poor weight distributions. This is commonly found on tankers and on some apparatus built by departments on used chassis. These problems might be indicated by broken or sagging suspensions or a visible lean or tilt to the chassis. When in doubt, weigh the front and rear axles of the apparatus with a full tank of water and compare them to the front and rear gross axle weight rating listed on the cab. Make sure the difference will give sufficient extra capacity for all the hose, equipment and personnel you plan to carry. Consult Annex C of the latest edition of NFPA 1901, Automotive Fire Apparatus, for a worksheet and list of common equipment weights.

Buy smart

When departments decide to buy used apparatus, they need to buy smart. Unlike new apparatus that are sold in good condition with specs that match each customer's individual needs, used apparatus are sold in a variety of conditions and with a variety of specifications. To sort them out, potential buyers have to consider many points to get the best value.

In all of these considerations, price should be one of the lowest priorities. Although some departments make price a top priority, a bargain isn't a bargain if it doesn't work properly or it's not what the department needs. There are plenty of good values among used apparatus if buyers know what to look for and take their time to find it.

Get the Most for Old Apparatus

Departments that plan to sell their apparatus after five, 10 or 15 years of service often write specifications that will maximize the resale value. This approach can help ensure a good price when it comes time to sell, and it also can help generate more potential buyers.

Before departments decide to try this approach, however, they need to understand several important points. First, they should always specify apparatus that meet their needs. Over- or under-speccing apparatus to make them attractive to other departments in the future may not make them attractive to their own departments in the meantime. Second, departments should recognize that things change. New laws, standards and technology may make some older apparatus obsolete, no matter how well they were originally specified. Third, no amount of intelligent specifications can make up for poor maintenance. Departments that run their apparatus into the ground should be prepared to get little or no money when it comes time to sell them.

Keeping these points in mind, here are some specs that can potentially make used apparatus more salable.

Pumps rated at 1,250- to 1,500gpm will be attractive to a wider range of buyers than those rated at 1,000gpm or less. In many cases, departments can go up one pump size without having to increase the engine horsepower rating. Given an adequate water supply, bigger pumps can give departments more credit on their Insurance Services Office rating or deliver more water at higher pressure for hose relay operations.

Bigger tanks are desirable, too. Many used apparatus buyers are rural departments that have limited access to hydrants. These departments often want pumpers with 1,000-gallon or larger tanks to buy time while they set up alternative water supply operations. Tank-to-pump connections should be large enough to sustain at least 500gpm without causing pump cavitation. Tanks made of corrosion-resistant materials are preferred.

Preplumbed monitors can be a real benefit to departments where staffing for the initial attack is limited. Monitors let firefighters put master streams in operation quickly to knock down fires or protect exposures. They also can gain ISO points in some cases. Size them for 1,000gpm minimum.

Aerials with vertical reaches of 75 feet or greater usually retain good resale value. Ladders and platforms gain more ISO credit than water towers and will command higher prices. Specify larger pumps and preplumbed waterways on aerials for maximum value.

Custom cabs and chassis generally retain their value better than commercial ones. The exceptions are unusual configurations or models that had only limited production runs. Larger cabs with seating for up to six people are attractive to many departments.

Corrosion-resistant body materials like stainless steel and aluminum generally last longer and retain better resale value. Most departments find that upgrading the body at the time of purchase is a good investment.

Finally, good maintenance records can be worth their weight in gold when it comes time to sell an apparatus. Well-documented results of pump and aerial tests are especially critical, as ISO will deduct points without written proof of regular testing during the life of an apparatus.

Dealers Can Offer Good Deals

Prospective customers can buy used apparatus directly from another department, at an auction, through a broker or from a used-apparatus dealer. Each source has its own advantages and disadvantages, but buying from a dealer has some unique benefits that departments may want to consider.

According to James Wessel, president of Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus near Huntsville, Ala., one of the biggest advantages of buying from a dealer is that the dealer owns the apparatus and has taken possession of it. This represents a significant financial and legal commitment by the dealer to ensure the apparatus is in good condition before it's sold. It also means buyers can view the apparatus at the dealer's facility before making the purchase.

“We take each purchase seriously,” says Wessel, “and we go to great lengths to ensure we are selling good-quality used apparatus to our customers.”

The dealership has purchased more than 1,000 used apparatus in the six years it has been in operation. Before the company buys an apparatus, it conducts a detailed inspection, reviews the maintenance history and tests the major components.

“We often do an oil analysis to determine the condition of the engine,” notes Wessel, “and we have an independent, third-party company test every aerial, even if it is currently certified.”

Because the dealership checks each apparatus thoroughly, it can offer up to three-year warranties, as well as pass along documentation for the inspections and tests. In some cases, it can give departments firm quotes on used apparatus prior to the sale so they can determine how much additional money will be needed for a replacement.