I. FIRE TRUCKS AND LADDERS.—Varions devices have been constructed for elevating lad ders against a burning building, so as to allow both of escape of inmates and ready access of the firemen.
The Hayes Extension Ladder-Track. manufactured by the La France Fire-Engine Co., of Elmira, N. V.. is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 1 shows the ladder during elevation, and Fig. 2 in upright position. The ladder is telescopic. giving a total height of from 60 to 85 ft. from the ground, made in two slides, and worked by an endless chain and winch attached to the truck. The lower portion is hung on trunnions supported on an A-frame, which stands on a turn-table which is attached to the main frame of the truck. From the under side of the ladder is hung a pair of arms carrying a nut which is hung on trunnions, and through which passes a screw, one end of which is held in a swivel fastened to the re volving portion of the turn-table on the front end. The back end extends under the ladder, and the front end is squared for a crank, so that by turning the screw the ladder is raised to the required elevation ; then the turn-table is swung around, and, if necessary, the extension of the ladder is run out. The ladder is lowered over against the building, as may be de sired. As the ladders are being raised to a vertical position, they can, by means of the turn table, be turned in any direction required, and by simply manipulating the urn-tahle, screw, and extension-eranks the top of the ladder can be readily directed to any desired point within reach. The truck can also ne moved from point to point without letting down the ladders. thus enabling the firemen to reach every point of a building. With a little practice this can be done with precision and great rapidity. In less than one minute the ladders can be fully extended and placed against a building reedy for service. In raising the ladders, elec
trical wires can often he avoided, but if encountered a man can ascend the ladder at any angle and cut them. The ladders being raised by means of a powerful screw, the set ion is certain and perfectly safe. Only 8 or 10 ft. width of roadway is required for the truck, and it can be operated as well in a narrow alley as in a wide street. But five or six men are required to work it. A rope is pro vided for handling the hose. To one end is at tached a hook. The rope is passed over the ladders through a sheave at tached to the top end of the extension ladder : thence iS passes down under the ladders and through a snatch-block provided on the frame. The end of this rope is left slack when the lad ders are being raised. When they are in posi tion the hose is hooked on and readily raised to the top, where it can be securely strapped to the ladders. The rope can also be made useful in saving lives and property.
As 1111 anria1 ladder this truck can be used with safety to the height of the main ladder. which is about :10 ft. in the first class, and -10 ft. in the second class, from the ground. The ladder is placed in a nearly verti cal position, and two lines of hose parried to the top may be directed by the pipe-men in any direction, carrying a full fire - presure stream. The frame, made extra strong and supported by truss-rods. is 111O1111(111 ou platform - spring over front axle and two full elliittie springs over hind axle. The It hid-gear is controlled by a tog-gear operated with a wheel in the hands of a Idiot-men, by means of which the truck can be guided around short corners and through narrow alleys.