Manufacturer's Corner: 7 Factors to Buying the Perfect Pumper
Manufacturers’ Corner content is sponsored by manufacturers and suppliers serving the fire service industry.
Purchasing a new pumper is an essential investment for your fire department and your community. Budget constraints, delivery time, and proper configuration can seem at odds with one other, making the process full of frustration and delays.
At Spartan Motors, we understand your challenges. This list of seven factors to consider before you buy will help you streamline your next pumper purchase.
1. Plan ahead for budget approval
Budgeting for your department’s next fiscal year can take months. When you need accurate estimates to replace a vehicle, Spartan delivers. Our preconfigured S-180 pumpers let you choose from a menu of custom options and still receive a competitive price estimate quickly. Quick access to customized pricing gives you the time you need to receive the necessary approvals and even apply for grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), your state government, or other external resources to help pay for the vehicle. Determining the specs for a Spartan S-180 takes less time than for other manufacturers, allowing your department to spend the time saved on other important priorities.
2. Give your fleet a checkup
With a typical pumper lifespan of 15 to 20 years, it can be easy to lose sight of when vehicles need to be replaced. However, red flags like major engine or transmission trouble can be stark—and unwelcome—reminders. To avoid such situations, which can leave your fleet short of the vehicles it needs to keep your community safe, take an “age inventory” of your current fleet. This can help you develop a vehicle replacement schedule that provides plenty of lead time to determine the type of vehicle your team needs and order replacements. Also, be sure to test your pumps and ladders annually for signs of wear and tear that may indicate the need to replace them sooner.
3. Select only the options you need
Spartan’s line of S-180 pumpers differs by model, offering a unique set of configurations for wheelbase, compartment storage, pump location, and horsepower. Spartan’s S-180 pumper models can be easily customized with a range of options to ensure the vehicle is well-suited to your department’s unique needs. Whether you need a longer wheel base and roomier cab, a side-mount pumper with a foam system and rescue tools, or a top-mount pumper with extra compartment space, generators and light towers, Spartan’s customizable vehicles can accommodate those needs. Choose from body lengths ranging from 156 inches to 168 inches. Our standard set of options saves time and money when it’s time to order your next pumper.
4. Choose your preferred pump configuration
Some departments need top-mount pumps to give operators a better view of the scene. Other vehicles may need to navigate narrow streets, which requires a shorter wheel base with better maneuverability and a side mount pump. Spartan gives you the ability to choose the pump configuration that’s right for you. Once you get to the scene, our reliable 1500-gallon per minute pumps and 1,000-gallon tank capacity give your firefighters the tools they need to be most effective. Each engine’s plumbing easily accommodates the addition of an optional foam system.
5. Put your team’s safety first
Spartan’s S-180 pumper features the Advanced Protection System (APS), the number one safety system in the industry. It includes four new airbag positions that aren’t offered by any OEM, such as side impact and full side curtain airbags, which offer anti-ejection protection, as well as driver and officer knee-impact and steering wheelmounted air bags. Spartan also features industry-first intelligent seat belts that pull the driver into the seat in case of impact or rollover.
6. Consider the role of the environment
Whether your vehicle is traversing flat city streets or mountainous highways and byways, Spartan’s S-180 models are equipped with tough, reliable ISL9 Cummins engines and Allison 3000 EVS transmissions. Choose from our 380 or 450 horsepower engines to give you the right torque for your terrain, with just the right amount of power to get you where you’re needed most. And, whatever the weather, we’ve got you covered: Our heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) system keeps your team warm or cool regardless of extreme outdoor temperatures. Our Advanced Climate Control System can warm the cabin from 0°F to 85°F within 30 minutes, and can cool the cabin from 120°F to less than 80°F when under 1,000 watts of solar loading. Vents extend towards the back of the cabin to enable the even distribution of air flow.
7. Timing is everything
When you need to get a new pumper on the road, timing is everything. Our new S-180 line gives you the fast turnaround of preconfigured vehicles combined with the ability to customize. With delivery in 180 days, we are much faster than any competitor—and Spartan’s exceptional attention to detail ensures that you won’t sacrifice strength, durability, safety, or storage. With Spartan, you get the best of both worlds: the fast delivery you need to keep your department as effective as possible, along with the innovative safety, comfort, and features your team values most. Be road-ready in half the time with a Spartan S-180 pumper.
For more information and to request a demonstration visit: www.spartanmotors.com/s-180
