What Does A Brush Truck Actually Do??

w30bob · Post by **w30bob** » Fri Nov 21, 2014 12:45 pm

Hi Guys,

I keep seeing M37's that were painted up and used as brush trucks by local fire departments. Not being knowledgeable about fire fighting............... can someone tell me what exactly a brush truck does? What did they use for brush trucks before and after M37's were available?? Do they still have brush trucks today?

Sorry for the ignorance.......and thanks in advance.

regards,
bob

Elwood · Post by **Elwood** » Fri Nov 21, 2014 5:33 pm

This might help: http://www.brushtrucks.us/category/brush-trucks/

w30bob · Post by **w30bob** » Sat Nov 22, 2014 9:25 am

Hi Elwood,

Thanks for the link. But I guess I'm really slow regarding this stuff. So brush trucks have a water tank and a foam tank, but are they used literally for putting out brush (grass, bushes, etc) fires? I mean if my pasture was on fire I guess they'd send one.........but if my house or car was on fire would they send it? I don' think we had any brush trucks in my home town when I was growing up, so this concept is a bit new to me.

thanks,
bob

Elwood · Post by **Elwood** » Sat Nov 22, 2014 10:00 am

I believe that the original concept was a smaller, 4x4 truck that could get to rural fires where the larger equipment could not go. My M37 was at one point in its life a brush truck, although probably not as well outfitted as these new, purpose built trucks. And its response time was considerably slower.

I live in a rural area, and our local FD seems to send everything they have for a structure or vehicle fire. I'm not a firefighter, so I don't know how much value a brush truck would be in a structure fire, but without hydrants or easy access to water in most locations, probably every bit of equipment, on-board water, foam, etc. will be used against a serious fire.

w30bob · Post by **w30bob** » Sat Nov 22, 2014 10:27 am

Hi Elwood,

Thanks. I now live in a rural area too, our firefighters are volunteers, and when there's a fire it's like you said.......every firefighter within a 10 mile radius shows up with all the trucks they have. Obviously a bit of overkill.........but they're bored when there's no action, so I understand. And you can only wash a fire truck so many times a day.

regards,
bob

Murf · Post by **Murf** » Sat Nov 22, 2014 4:42 pm

You can't drive a bazillion pound engine or ladder truck off road without having to drain all the water and getting a tractor-trailer wrecker to pull it out. Brush trucks can. They usually have a 2" hose reel and a smaller tank water is pressurized by a small gas engine, shovels, pick, ax.. The big restriction is the tank is usually small. But, it can get back out to the road or nearest line for replenishment.

Paul (in NH) · Post by **Paul (in NH)** » Sun Nov 23, 2014 5:32 am

As a longtime we firefighter we loved the M37's because they are narrow, powerful, and rugged. We use(d) them to get right out into the woods to attack a grass, brush, or forest fire. Usually equipped with a 150+or- gallon tank, hose,and hand tools. We can push over small trees if needed. Many have been replaced with one ton pickups equipped with "skid" units. Most pickups can't compare with a M37. The best replacement is a Unimog, but these tend to be a little pricey. Lots of M37 and other ex military trucks still in use. At various times my department has had a M37, M38A1, M715, M880, and M135A1.

Tuko · Post by **Tuko** » Sun Nov 23, 2014 4:40 pm

If you want to check out some mean vehicles go to google images and type in brush breaker

ZGjethro · Post by **ZGjethro** » Mon Nov 24, 2014 9:41 pm

The fire dept I bought my truck from replaced it with an ex-military Humvee. One of the slope backed versions with a turret machine gun. The firefighter who did the selling lamented that the new Humvee used a foam system, and once it shot its load it was done. The M37 could empty its tank, and then refill it from a stream or pond and return to the fire. They had pulled the batteries from the M37 to use in the Humvee and it hadn't run in a few years. I got it running within hours of having it delivered

k8icu · Post by **k8icu** » Sun Nov 30, 2014 12:28 pm

It looks like you got your answer Bob. Brush trucks go fight brush fighters/grass/forest fighters.

rickv100 · Post by **rickv100** » Tue Dec 02, 2014 11:07 am

Bob,

Also check out Roscommon Equipment Center. They specialize in coming up with conversions of military vehicles to wildfire attack trucks (brush trucks).

http://www.roscommonequipmentcenter.com/

Look at this one in particular.

http://www.roscommonequipmentcenter.com ... 0Truck.pdf

In the past they issued conversions on M37's and Gordon Maney (RIP) published a few of the bulletins in Power Wagon Advertiser.

Rick

What Does A Brush Truck Actually Do??

What Does A Brush Truck Actually Do??

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