The turntable got metal shavings in the hydraulic fluid, one of the signs something was wrong with the 1998 model ladder truck. Then there was a grinding noise during weekly tests of the equipment.
Firefighters discovered there was a hydraulic fluid leak so the fire department took the truck to Virginia to find out where the leak was coming from. That required taking the ladder off, something the Virginia factory couldn’t do.
In his budget notes for negotiations before the budget was passed in June, Corbet said the swivel operating the turntable of the aerial ladder “is worn to a point of possible failure. This failure may occur at any time when we have raised the ladder.”
The manufacturer — KME — says the piece may fail the next time it is used or it may last two to three years.
The fire department decided to limit use of the truck and use its reserve pumper.
The ladder truck has a history of problems. The cab has fallen off and because of its weight, it goes through tires quickly and it has spring and alignment issues.
Using the ladder truck on a limited basis has not been all bad. The city saved enough money on fuel by using the reserve it was able to buy a new thermal imaging camera to replace a damaged one.
The ladder truck is needed, however, for businesses on the avenue, the high school, the hospital and Carolina Crossroads.