Ultimate MAN power
Published: 01 September, 2008
Spare parts for a MAN vehicle can be had in less than 48 hours for most parts of Europe. And with Euro4 emissions compliance, MAN has its environmental credentials in order too, reports Ann-Marie Knegt.
MAN manufactures a whole range of off road fire vehicles for brigades that need to operate in hard terrain while carrying lots of equipment.
The MAN range is used by every fire brigade in the UK following the Government’s decision to purchase 340 TGA models after 9/11, to better prepare the FRS for a terrorist event. Rather than putting such a large procurement burden onto each individual fire brigade, the central Government decided to buy and then issue them to all the brigades.
The wading depths of the TGM and TGS/TGX off road series from MAN range from 500 mm to 1,500 mm, as Sales Manager Andrew Young explains, “Currently the 13 tonne TGM with a 6.9 litre engine is the most popular choice for fire services.”
The MAN off-road, all-wheel drive vehicles are available in payloads of 13 tonnes, 16 tonnes, 18 tonnes and 26 tonnes, whilst they all sport Euro4 engines. And the vehicle range seems to have its environmental credentials in order as well.
“To achieve Euro4 emissions, no other liquids, such as Ad Blue need to be added to our fuel. This creates considerable knock-on cost savings because you don’t require an expensive facility to store the Ad Blue in,” he explains. Ad Blue is an additive used in competitor SCR engine technology.
Several cab options are available ranging from day cabins and sleeper cabins to four-door crew cabins.
Young says his company stands out from the competition because of its service credentials. “In the UK we have a network of 75 dealerships to look after our vehicles, as well as providing 24-hour back-up service and we can get parts from Germany within 48 hours – and the same goes for most European countries.”
The 4x4 vehicles have been successful in sporting environments too and a MAN vehicle has participated in Paris Dakar race and the Trans Oriental race from St Petersburg to Bejing. “The MAN off-road vehicle is just as popular as a support vehicle as it is for competing in its own right!” concludes Young.
