On entering the courtyard in front of Iveco’s Ulm manufacturing facility you are immediately surrounded by turntable ladders going up and down, and side to side. There is a hive of activity  and Uwe Killian, Sales Manager (Industrial Products) explains that this is where the turntable ladders are thoroughly tested and introduced to their new owners.

The plant in Ulm is world-famous for its turntable ladders and aerial platforms and for good reason, Uwe points out . “We produce precision engineered vehicles and our ladders are made of the highest quality stainless steel. Also our Can-Bus system and remote diagnostics system are unprecedented in the world.”

A new version of the AluFire 3 superstructure was recently launched, delivering  considerable weight savings, explains Uwe, “Alufire3 is a modular system, which is completely flexible as it offers fire brigades the choice of any locker configuration they want. Made of anodised aluminium, it offers a longer  – corrosion free – lifetime, and it is difficult to damage. Considerable weight savings are made which means we can add extra space for equipment,” explains Uwe.

The structure consists of an aluminium window profile assembled with screws and a special type of glue, making the units very stable. Lockers are easily replaceable as a unit at a later stage, continues Uwe.

The new superstructure enables all wiring to be completely integrated in the design and the highly advanced Can-Bus system with its splitter modules (Electronic Control Units) logs all main functions including the pump function and turntable ladder activity. In the back of the cab the Can-Bus control panel offers one integrated overview of all functions, enabling easy fault management and simple function integration.

“We manufacture a large range of turntable ladders, but our longest one is the DLK 55 CS, which also happens to be the tallest in the world,” continues Uwe. “The higher you go up in the air, the more the oscillation of the ladder increases. To counter balance this we developed the computer balanced active anti-oscillation system  – available on the whole range – meaning that all movements of the ladder are detected instantly by the Can-Bus system and are actively dampened by hydraulic counteraction within a fraction of a second.”

Iveco has developed a new jacking system, which offers increased stability no matter the size of the ladder or the space available. “The Vario Jacking technology allows rescuers to work in busy city centres or on uneven terrain. Instead of being horizontal with support studs coming out of the bottom, this system is slightly V-shaped and can be optimally adjusted due to the variable control of the four outriggers.”

The rescue cage on Iveco turntable vehicles is permanently installed, and easy access is allowed through the quick-access facility behind the cab. The rungs on the ladder are temperature insulated and have rubber anti-skid insulation. Uwe explains that the cage is approved for a weight equal to three persons, and that firefighters in the cage can operate the boom from the rescue cage as well as the control seat.

Uwe concludes by saying that through the use of high quality materials Iveco adapts a vehicle’s concept to clients’ wishes. “Even when the vehicle is sold and delivered, the (optional) remote diagnostics system allows us to spot potential problems from thousands of miles away. Not only does it evaluate electronic components but it can also sense the hydraulic conditions in advance. Therefore potential problems are avoided and costly vehicle downtime is reduced.”

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