When I was a brand-new wildland firefighter for the (then) California Division of Forestry (now CalFire) assigned to the Julian CDF station we responded to a large grass fire in pasture land around Lake Henshaw (Warner Springs area) that had hundreds of dried-out "cow pies" (cattle poop to the inexperienced), afire like glowing coals. Some crews with our firetrucks mobile-pumped the fireline (firefighters extinguish flames while the firetruck is driven parallel to the burning fireline) to stop the spread. But with the strong winds blowing, the burning cowpies would smoulder for hours, possibly spreading hot embers outside the black, into flammable vegetation. So a few of us rookie firefighters were assigned "cowpie patrol" -- carrying the old galvanized 5-gallon water tanks (54 lbs when full) with sprayer, to break-up (with a SHRP shovel) each hot dropping, then spray it down until no heat remained. Bottom line, that was a great teaching tool for learning to use your water sparingly, whenever possible. It was a long walk back to the water source for a "refill".
One suggestion from when I worked on a wildfire suppression engine crew low these many years ago. The trombone pump should be carefully secured in place on the stainless steel pump. The clip on the poly tank holds much more snugly than the handle of the metal tanks do. One hard bump and you'll end up dragging your trombone pump by the hose. Replacement trombone pumps are not cheap. If you do put a quick connect on the stainless tank make sure that it is also stainless. Mild and Stainless steel do not seem to get on well together. You may find that the bottom rim of the metal tanks will not withstand the weight and bouncing of being carried on that Jerry can rack. putting a shelf on the rack to distribute the strain over a wider area of the bottom lip might be better. We always put some rubber or somewhat soft plastic in the holders to protect the tanks from the bumping of off road use. There is a $10 foam nozzle that you can buy for those so that you can use Class A foam premixed in the tank. That really does stretch out the water a lot. If you have to work with one of those 45 pound pump tanks on your back all day consider buying the optional harness for it. That harness comes with a hip belt to take much of the load off your shoulders. ALWAYS use the basket strainer when you fill the tank. Even pipe scale can plug the small opposing orifices on the spray nozzle. Nothing which is small enough to get through the screen will plug the pump or nozzle. If you have to take the pump apart for any reason try to find a small strap wrench. Pliers and wrenches will crush the brass tubes of the pump and you will need to buy a replacement for the damaged tube to put the pump back in serviceable condition. -- Tom Horne
Hi Tom, just read your comments and advice...I just bought the Collapsible Bag Fedco Indian Smokechaser pump...I have tried it out just partially filling it up with water, and I am very pleased with it.
Jonathan, thank you sir! Excellent video and much appreciated! I can indeed use this at our home in a brush fire zone plus it will look good with my old Bronco. Thanks again!😎👍
thank you for your response that seems to be what some say I would be concerend if I also filled this with dish soap could it cause a chemical reaction? I dont l know enough about chemistry to know what is or is not safet to mix and we dont know if the anti freeze would break down the foam
No, not really possible. It’s expensive, but you could put 2 loaded stream charges in the SS unit- not sure if it could cause corrosion with the galvanized tank. I bought my loaded stream charges as a powder, but it looks like Amerex is selling them as a liquid now
When I was a brand-new wildland firefighter for the (then) California Division of Forestry (now CalFire) assigned to the Julian CDF station we responded to a large grass fire in pasture land around Lake Henshaw (Warner Springs area) that had hundreds of dried-out "cow pies" (cattle poop to the inexperienced), afire like glowing coals. Some crews with our firetrucks mobile-pumped the fireline (firefighters extinguish flames while the firetruck is driven parallel to the burning fireline) to stop the spread.
But with the strong winds blowing, the burning cowpies would smoulder for hours, possibly spreading hot embers outside the black, into flammable vegetation. So a few of us rookie firefighters were assigned "cowpie patrol" -- carrying the old galvanized 5-gallon water tanks (54 lbs when full) with sprayer, to break-up (with a SHRP shovel) each hot dropping, then spray it down until no heat remained. Bottom line, that was a great teaching tool for learning to use your water sparingly, whenever possible. It was a long walk back to the water source for a "refill".
Great story
One suggestion from when I worked on a wildfire suppression engine crew low these many years ago. The trombone pump should be carefully secured in place on the stainless steel pump. The clip on the poly tank holds much more snugly than the handle of the metal tanks do. One hard bump and you'll end up dragging your trombone pump by the hose. Replacement trombone pumps are not cheap. If you do put a quick connect on the stainless tank make sure that it is also stainless. Mild and Stainless steel do not seem to get on well together.
You may find that the bottom rim of the metal tanks will not withstand the weight and bouncing of being carried on that Jerry can rack. putting a shelf on the rack to distribute the strain over a wider area of the bottom lip might be better. We always put some rubber or somewhat soft plastic in the holders to protect the tanks from the bumping of off road use.
There is a $10 foam nozzle that you can buy for those so that you can use Class A foam premixed in the tank. That really does stretch out the water a lot.
If you have to work with one of those 45 pound pump tanks on your back all day consider buying the optional harness for it. That harness comes with a hip belt to take much of the load off your shoulders.
ALWAYS use the basket strainer when you fill the tank. Even pipe scale can plug the small opposing orifices on the spray nozzle. Nothing which is small enough to get through the screen will plug the pump or nozzle.
If you have to take the pump apart for any reason try to find a small strap wrench. Pliers and wrenches will crush the brass tubes of the pump and you will need to buy a replacement for the damaged tube to put the pump back in serviceable condition.
--
Tom Horne
Great Feedback, Thank you!
How far does this reach vertically? Would it reach 20 foot eaves?
Hi Tom, just read your comments and advice...I just bought the Collapsible Bag Fedco Indian Smokechaser pump...I have tried it out just partially filling it up with water, and I am very pleased with it.
Jonathan, thank you sir! Excellent video and much appreciated! I can indeed use this at our home in a brush fire zone plus it will look good with my old Bronco. Thanks again!😎👍
Anything looks good on an old Bronco
You know after all these years in the volunteer FD...never realized those were made right here in NY.
You can get cushioned straps for these National Firefighter sells them online.
Those would be nice
Where did you by that awesome Jerry can holder?
The one on the truck was a custom build back in 1972
Be sure to add denko drench fire additive
Good advice
any ideas for cheap anti freeze ideas for my indian tank filled with foam?
Sorry I don't
Why wouldn’t RV antifreeze work
thank you for your response that seems to be what some say I would be concerend if I also filled this with dish soap could it cause a chemical reaction? I dont l know enough about chemistry to know what is or is not safet to mix and we dont know if the anti freeze would break down the foam
No, not really possible. It’s expensive, but you could put 2 loaded stream charges in the SS unit- not sure if it could cause corrosion with the galvanized tank. I bought my loaded stream charges as a powder, but it looks like Amerex is selling them as a liquid now
@@jamesmilos9909 It does work.
Your voice goes sift through out the video, its hard to hear what your saying remember your talking to a crowd 👍
Sorry about that, I have gotten a new microphone since then. Thank you
audio is nasty
Sorry to hear that
magkanu
Ok
I got one from the late 19s still trying to figure out how to use it haha it was my grandpas. I think I’m missing some parts