A retired Boston Fire Lieutenant here. My 1st five years I was assigned in East Boston to Ladder Co. 21, a 1972 Maxim 100' tiller. The bouncing, squeaks and rattles are all too familiar. We didn't have power steering then. The tiller seat was on the floor; we learned to drive with our knees braced under the steering wheel to keep from banging our heads on the roof going over bumps.
This would be enough to make a tranquilizer nervous. Can you imagine the fear on your very first run down these narrow streets. Hats off to these people; money is well earned!
When I was a kid I would stalk the local fire house(L151) and a fireman would let me sit up top of the American Lafrance they had at the time..”turn the opposite way” he would tell me.We never left the firehouse but when you r a kid and have a big imagination it wasn’t important. I can’t believe how tight some of those turns are,how poor the visibility is forward, and how much it rattles..these guys do a great job!Thank you.
My father was a fireman here in Chicago. His last detail was as a tillerman on an old Hook & Ladder truck that had wooden ladders. When they went to aluminum, the truck became a little shorter, but his perch to steer hung over the end of the truck. When he looked straight down all you saw was pavement.
Watching some videos of tiller trucks is cool but this one gives real perspective. What talent you have to drive that rig in such narrow streets. Great job, and thanks for posting the video.
Nice work in the wonderful world of Williamsburg. I worked that area for 20+ driving the phone company van and that was tough let alone a tiller. Now its impossible to drive there. Much respect men!
Holy Hell.. and to think i thought the learning curve was big on our Pierce pumper.. I cringed at so many turns .. and noticed how many ppl just wouldnt get out of the hand.. Hats off to that tillerman ...
DAMN. Such tight corners and so many vehicles right to the corners, too - absolutely astounding that either of these apparatus fit through any of that! Good work.
Gotta say that’s the coolest video I’ve seen this week. A view very few will ever get, but a true testament to the skill and training tiller crews go through.
That is an amazing skill, almost telepathic. What knowledge these tiller men must have of their fireground, to get behind the wheel of this truck and basically steer blindly to a fire. Totally amazing, as an ex- britsh fireman i would love to see one of these trucks close up. The driver and tillerman must be a very close team indeed. Keep safe brothers, repect.
TheDrummie1 i dont know why i didnt hear him talking but some tillerman and the drivers usually communicate through headsets while they are both operating the fire truck
TheDrummie1 Tiller man must focus on the gum ball machine (light or other device) on the center of the roof of the tractor. When it goes left, you turn right. Not quite blind, but it does require skill from both drivers.
Im a volunteer fireman in a smaller town and I love being a firefighter because its a very humbling experience in my life, but to see how well these guys maneuver in these city streets really amazes me and also scares me to see how people don’t stop or move for them. Thank you for doing what other people can’t, and for all my fellow firefighters out there, stay safe guys.
Awesome job brother. Always wanted to drive a tiller ladder. We don't have those down here at Miami Dade Fire Rescue. Retired in 2017 best job in the world. God Bless & be safe.
Why somebody would give a thumbs down blows my mind? Lol it’s hard enough to drive a car through the streets of New York, let alone the rear of a fire engine . I believe that is New York 😅
Why Thumbs Down? Because only an idiot chooses a tillertruck for a TTL AD 2018. In Europe we put a 32m (Working height) TTL on a standard 10.30m, 4.90m wheelbase Volvo 2x4 base; set up time 70secs Even the longest Rosenbauer TTL (Working height 64m!) is based on a 4x6 base of only 13.20m. Has nothing to do with NYC, difficult driving or whatever, but with typical American Impression Management.
MrRCGNL this truck is actually more maneuverable than the ladder trucks you are describing even though it’s bigger. That’s why they choose this truck. Plus our ladders in america carry a lot more equipment than your ladders in Europe. Different firefighting equipment styles, that you can’t really compare to each other.
Amazing driving, would love to see the camera view from either side on the rear running boards, to see just how close he came to those objects in his way.
I never really knew this situation existed and I’m almost 50. I guess I can’t say I’ve seen many of these trucks around. As a retired truck driver I will say both drivers get my respect for working together so well. That doesn’t look easy.
As a former Auxiliary Fire Corps Captain in the FDNY I know that company is Engine Company 221 and Ladder 104 in Williamsburg Brooklyn. They went under the Williamsburg Bridge. I was looking for the 35 Battalion and Ladder 119.
All of the driving jobs I’ve done involved being able to see where you are going, this just crazy, give the Tillerman a medal and ask them what are next weeks winning lottery numbers as they must be able to see into the future!
Man you drive that baby I don't see how you do it I live in Dallas and we have several tillers at our stations and they practice at a shopping center where I live driving and backing great job at both departments
Oh hell no!!! There's no chance I'd ever even consider driving something like that in NYC!!! Damn that's some NARROW places to navigate!! Much respect for the drivers!!
narrow? I guess we have a different imagination of narrow streets :D Those which are narrow in my mind are too narrow for a compact 100' Tower Ladder with all-wheel steering to fit in
Antal M I am not talking about the Tiller Ladders, but the trucks some departments over here have. Those are often trucks with 2 axles and yes they do have all-wheel steering. They can steer with both the front and rear axle at the same time, either for a tighter turning radius or to drive sideways, and they can also use only the front axle or the rear axle to steer: th-cam.com/video/rR8F2utmn8w/w-d-xo.html
This is some incredible work. However, I think this video just goes to show how useful a tiller is. Imagine being the chauffer of one of the 95' Aerialscopes and trying to maneuver through those streets...
God Bless and keep these men and women safe always!🇺🇸 especially the Martin Brothers! From your Philly cousin Sheila❤ Actually all my cousins who are New York fire fighters.....D. Bellew and his DAD, Dan, P. Connolly, and his DAD, R. Martin and his son, R. Martin, and my nephew, E. Fox! Hope I did not forget anyone!🇺🇸 GOD BLESS ALL AND KEEP THEM SAFE!❤
Great bouncy view, all told for a .75 mile trip. A lot of narrow one way streets, even going the wrong way on one of them.Google Earth/Street view are great, even while in Kansas City, MO, I was able to follow from the engine house to the scene.
It doesn't really take any special training , all they're taught is how to navigate through a maze in various ways then they have to reverse drive to be able to back the truck up out of a spot along with backing into the station. It's not that difficult to operate a tiller , all you do is steer in the opposite direction of the way the front cab is going then as the rear swings around you straighten the wheels out , the only difference is that the driving is done at speed and fast reflexes are important when operating those types of trucks cause one bad move and someone will get hurt and you would also damage the truck too.
I remember when I was living in North Portland Oregon and one of my friend was a firefighter from station 22 and he invented me to spend the a shift with him and he was driving this and he let me ride with him and it was fun but scary because people don't get out there way.
I have to assume that those pipes that are hanging from the ceiling along the walls, at the start of the video in the station, are for exhaust. That way you can run trucks indoors in the winter for maintenance checks.
Indeed! Even moreso than just for maintenance, it allows them to start the trucks and get ready with it idling, rather than having to pull outside first. The exhaust hoses are actually connected right onto the vehicle's exhaust pipes, and they slide off as the truck pulls away. Notice when the truck on the right pulls out, the hose is on a track system, and then falls off the truck as it's pulling out.
@@KatTheFoxtaur In Michigan, and other northern states that get cold cold winters, I'm sure that they also use them to have trucks running when it's well below zero. They may just run them for a while every day to make sure that the gas lines don't freeze up, especially if they're diesel.
A retired Boston Fire Lieutenant here. My 1st five years I was assigned in East Boston to Ladder Co. 21, a 1972 Maxim 100' tiller. The bouncing, squeaks and rattles are all too familiar. We didn't have power steering then. The tiller seat was on the floor; we learned to drive with our knees braced under the steering wheel to keep from banging our heads on the roof going over bumps.
Sitting there must have been a sight lol Did you go to the Big Chelsea fire 73?
I was appointed in 1978. But I remember the Chelsea Fire.
A salty brother
now that is fire truck manufacture u don't hear much anymore ,Maxim, they were built like tanks
Thank god we have a rear mount 😂😂
This would be enough to make a tranquilizer nervous. Can you imagine the fear on your very first run down these narrow streets. Hats off to these people; money is well earned!
William Reuter sadly I don’t believe they get paid enough.
Keaton0801 you are right. Firefighters do not get paid much. Same for police, and EMTs and Paramedics
Its both scary and exhilarating.Than it just got routine.
What money? It's the FDNY, the city doesn't pay them anything except bullshit.
I agree
Wow, those are some narrow streets. Good job tillerman.
Susan Leingang its fun
I think I would have to find the squeak and fix it.
Susan Leingang most trucks I have tillered squeaks like this one.
My father always said this was his favorite job. He retired a Deputy Chief.
Susan Leingang thank your father for his service. ALSO how do we know the tiller driver wasn't a gal? ; )
Don't worry Capt! Cosmo's got the caboose
I’ve had some tiller time in my career. Let me say the both the tractor driver and the tillerman have some MAD SKILLS!
He's a first time tillerman...?
When I was a kid I would stalk the local fire house(L151) and a fireman would let me sit up top of the American Lafrance they had at the time..”turn the opposite way” he would tell me.We never left the firehouse but when you r a kid and have a big imagination it wasn’t important. I can’t believe how tight some of those turns are,how poor the visibility is forward, and how much it rattles..these guys do a great job!Thank you.
My father was a fireman here in Chicago. His last detail was as a tillerman on an old Hook & Ladder truck that had wooden ladders. When they went to aluminum, the truck became a little shorter, but his perch to steer hung over the end of the truck. When he looked straight down all you saw was pavement.
When you left the garage I ducked my head, not much room there.👍😁😎
I would have to find where that squeaking is coming from ASAP. Lol
It’s most likely the air seat
Watching some videos of tiller trucks is cool but this one gives real perspective. What talent you have to drive that rig in such narrow streets. Great job, and thanks for posting the video.
Outstanding
Holy shit those are the the tightest streets i've ever seen an FDNY Apperatus go down.
Nice work in the wonderful world of Williamsburg. I worked that area for 20+ driving the phone company van and that was tough let alone a tiller. Now its impossible to drive there. Much respect men!
Holy Hell.. and to think i thought the learning curve was big on our Pierce pumper.. I cringed at so many turns .. and noticed how many ppl just wouldnt get out of the hand.. Hats off to that tillerman ...
I have mad respect for 1st responders, THANK YOU FOLKS, and God bless you all!!!!!!! 😎👍
Tillerman job must take a long time to learn. Amazing skill.
DAMN. Such tight corners and so many vehicles right to the corners, too - absolutely astounding that either of these apparatus fit through any of that! Good work.
Brooklyn. 104 Truck. Hats off to BOTH drivers.
Your first time tiller?? You’re a prodigy!! Unbelievably tight windows!
Great video. Tillers have always fascinated me. They are so manoeuvrable compared to a 3 axle with centre steer axle that we would have in the uk.
My dad was the tillerman in the 60s on ladder one. In the north end very. Narrow streets. Dad said if can tiller in Boston you can tiller anywhere.
Gotta say that’s the coolest video I’ve seen this week. A view very few will ever get, but a true testament to the skill and training tiller crews go through.
That is an amazing skill, almost telepathic. What knowledge these tiller men must have of their fireground, to get behind the wheel of this truck and basically steer blindly to a fire. Totally amazing, as an ex- britsh fireman i would love to see one of these trucks close up. The driver and tillerman must be a very close team indeed. Keep safe brothers, repect.
TheDrummie1 i dont know why i didnt hear him talking but some tillerman and the drivers usually communicate through headsets while they are both operating the fire truck
TheDrummie1 someone once told me that the firehouse in nyc with the tiller is one of the moat visited by fans
TheDrummie1 Tiller man must focus on the gum ball machine (light or other device) on the center of the roof of the tractor. When it goes left, you turn right. Not quite blind, but it does require skill from both drivers.
Im a volunteer fireman in a smaller town and I love being a firefighter because its a very humbling experience in my life, but to see how well these guys maneuver in these city streets really amazes me and also scares me to see how people don’t stop or move for them. Thank you for doing what other people can’t, and for all my fellow firefighters out there, stay safe guys.
I've been waiting for this perspective all my life! That was cool.
This job goes way beyond skill, its pure art!
Great job..... That’s a job on its own weaving that fire truck through the busy streets before any life saving starts. Stay safe👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Wow can’t wait to watch these all with my Grandson!! Respect!
Awesome job brother. Always wanted to drive a tiller ladder. We don't have those down here at Miami Dade Fire Rescue. Retired in 2017 best job in the world. God Bless & be safe.
Absolutely amazing skilled Talent the tillerman has around those
tight turns what an amazing Job
It would be cool to see the tiller backing back into the station. The Tiller is definitely one of the best things firefighting has ever come out with.
Haven't been a fire fighter since 2004 but I still love to hear that Q
GREAT job tiller guys
That's not a real Q, it's a fake electronic version that sounds like crap, lol.
you made it look easy, great driving skills by both drivers
Why somebody would give a thumbs down blows my mind? Lol it’s hard enough to drive a car through the streets of New York, let alone the rear of a fire engine . I believe that is New York 😅
BurntFist yep it’s nyc
BurntFist 9 losers! Great video! Stay safe brothers
Why Thumbs Down?
Because only an idiot chooses a tillertruck for a TTL AD 2018.
In Europe we put a 32m (Working height) TTL on a standard 10.30m, 4.90m wheelbase Volvo 2x4 base; set up time 70secs
Even the longest Rosenbauer TTL (Working height 64m!) is based on a 4x6 base of only 13.20m.
Has nothing to do with NYC, difficult driving or whatever, but with typical American Impression Management.
MrRCGNL this truck is actually more maneuverable than the ladder trucks you are describing even though it’s bigger. That’s why they choose this truck. Plus our ladders in america carry a lot more equipment than your ladders in Europe. Different firefighting equipment styles, that you can’t really compare to each other.
Mathematical formulas support me when I say that your statement is B
Now that is beyond impressive. Great video.
Awesome kudos to the front driver and the Tillerman for maneuvering those super narrow streets !!!!!
WOW !!!! 🚒🚒🚒🚒🚒🚒
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
That siren wail is so satisfying but there were alot of stops (obvious reasons) considering this is a emergency vehicle
No one knows how to drive in NYC
If you want to find videos of it, it's called the ''screaming q'' .
@@sirwiesheifu3585 oh I know, I was looking at buying one here in the UK. They are a few thousand pound here. ($1-£0.75 average)
@@emeraldzebra9360 oh thats a lot
Amazing driving, would love to see the camera view from either side on the rear running boards, to see just how close he came to those objects in his way.
Good job dirveing the tiller
Squeek squeek, bouncy bouncy, bumpity bump bump. . . . . ."WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. . . . . .WOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!"
I never really knew this situation existed and I’m almost 50. I guess I can’t say I’ve seen many of these trucks around. As a retired truck driver I will say both drivers get my respect for working together so well. That doesn’t look easy.
MY Dad did this job for many years. Great to see his view of things.
That was some sweet manuvering!
That’s some impressive stuff. I’ve driven all kinds of rigs but never the chance to drive a tiller.
Man that was amazing my heart is racing great job........
Tight! Pretty sure I'd have that tiller wadded into a ball, after about the first two blocks!
Thank you TH-cam for putting this in my feed. That was so cool!! It takes a special set of kahunas to do that.
Everybodys gangster till the most commanding truck in NYC is coming at you from the wrong way of a one way street.
Wow. You're really having to thread the needle. It's amazing how something that big can be maneuvered in such packed in places. Thanks for sharing.
a more compact chassis would be a solution as well, but probably not an option in the USA :D
Some tight corners to navigate there awesome job sir
As a former Auxiliary Fire Corps Captain in the FDNY I know that company is Engine Company 221 and Ladder 104 in Williamsburg Brooklyn. They went under the Williamsburg Bridge. I was looking for the 35 Battalion and Ladder 119.
thanks for the ride it so real from liberty ky
That turn with the divider🔥🔥
Outstanding driving!
From the looks of the video, it's like driving across plowed ground.
Did damn good if you ask me - awesome video!
One hell of a bumpy road good job
wow very impressive job by the front and rear drivers here those were some tight streets
Amazing job by both drivers. Extremely tight roads and very bumpy
Great driving!!!!
Great video!👍🤙
All of the driving jobs I’ve done involved being able to see where you are going, this just crazy, give the Tillerman a medal and ask them what are next weeks winning lottery numbers as they must be able to see into the future!
That last turn was awesome.
Man you drive that baby I don't see how you do it I live in Dallas and we have several tillers at our stations and they practice at a shopping center where I live driving and backing great job at both departments
Those sirens sound like cats fighting, lol
Great job, Kramer!
As a truck driver I think I would have a blast driving one of those
Love 104 Truck!
Job well done between driver and tillerman.
Oh hell no!!! There's no chance I'd ever even consider driving something like that in NYC!!! Damn that's some NARROW places to navigate!! Much respect for the drivers!!
narrow? I guess we have a different imagination of narrow streets :D
Those which are narrow in my mind are too narrow for a compact 100' Tower Ladder with all-wheel steering to fit in
Not quite all wheel steering, the back wheels on the tractor don't turn, or do they?
Antal M I am not talking about the Tiller Ladders, but the trucks some departments over here have. Those are often trucks with 2 axles and yes they do have all-wheel steering. They can steer with both the front and rear axle at the same time, either for a tighter turning radius or to drive sideways, and they can also use only the front axle or the rear axle to steer:
th-cam.com/video/rR8F2utmn8w/w-d-xo.html
In many european cities these streets would qualify as decently wide.
Great job!
I don't believe that I could get my Dodge Neon through some of those streets!
There are still Neons that run?
Sru
This is some incredible work. However, I think this video just goes to show how useful a tiller is. Imagine being the chauffer of one of the 95' Aerialscopes and trying to maneuver through those streets...
Lemons Huh the 95” Aerialscope is my regular rig. Just detailed to the tiller rig for the one tour.
God bless your chauffers hahaha
W0W That was different Nice Job
God Bless and keep these men and women safe always!🇺🇸 especially the Martin Brothers! From your Philly cousin Sheila❤
Actually all my cousins who are New York fire fighters.....D. Bellew and his DAD, Dan, P. Connolly, and his DAD, R. Martin and his son, R. Martin, and my nephew, E. Fox! Hope I did not forget anyone!🇺🇸 GOD BLESS ALL AND KEEP THEM SAFE!❤
That’s what I call expert driving
These rear drivers don’t get the respect they deserve, they make it look easy.
Good job Till!
Great bouncy view, all told for a .75 mile trip. A lot of narrow one way streets, even going the wrong way on one of them.Google Earth/Street view are great, even while in Kansas City, MO, I was able to follow from the engine house to the scene.
Nice Job Tillerman!.
its takes special lessons to do this job.saw the lafd lessons here on youtube.unknown if still there.i think this newbie did great.
It doesn't really take any special training , all they're taught is how to navigate through a maze in various ways then they have to reverse drive to be able to back the truck up out of a spot along with backing into the station.
It's not that difficult to operate a tiller , all you do is steer in the opposite direction of the way the front cab is going then as the rear swings around you straighten the wheels out , the only difference is that the driving is done at speed and fast reflexes are important when operating those types of trucks cause one bad move and someone will get hurt and you would also damage the truck too.
Great job
Wow those are some narrow streets good job Tillman
That looks rough for your spine... respect!
really bumpy hot to wear the drier out after a while with back injuries. great driving skills
I remember when I was living in North Portland Oregon and one of my friend was a firefighter from station 22 and he invented me to spend the a shift with him and he was driving this and he let me ride with him and it was fun but scary because people don't get out there way.
Tillerman is probably the hardest job in the department! Js
Wow! Nice job tillerman, I know people who can't drive this route even with a freaking bicycle without hitting curbs and cars.
I have to assume that those pipes that are hanging from the ceiling along the walls, at the start of the video in the station, are for exhaust. That way you can run trucks indoors in the winter for maintenance checks.
Indeed! Even moreso than just for maintenance, it allows them to start the trucks and get ready with it idling, rather than having to pull outside first. The exhaust hoses are actually connected right onto the vehicle's exhaust pipes, and they slide off as the truck pulls away. Notice when the truck on the right pulls out, the hose is on a track system, and then falls off the truck as it's pulling out.
@@KatTheFoxtaur In Michigan, and other northern states that get cold cold winters, I'm sure that they also use them to have trucks running when it's well below zero. They may just run them for a while every day to make sure that the gas lines don't freeze up, especially if they're diesel.
That's good driving skills
The tiller man has the best view of the city of New York.
thanks so much from liberty ky
COOL VIDEO ... THANKS FOR POSTING I DON'T THINK THAT WE HAVE ANY TILLER TRUCKS IN AUSTRALIA
Good job driving in the narrow streets of NYC.
Damn good driving thru those treacherous narrow streets in NY.
That was a wild ride😮
That turn at 2:00 was well done!
Damn..nice driving
Ahh So Awesome.I always wanted to be a Tillerman
Wow tight turn I know I would have taken that car out!! I really probably wasn't supposed to be that close to the corner lol
Dallas Fire-Rescue has a couple of these trucks. One is kept downtown at Station 1.