If we consider airport fire trucks such as the Rosenbauer Panther and Ziegler Z8 as standard for large hub airports, it becomes evident that fire trucks at medium and small airports do not typically match such high specifications. Instead of the rear-engine, all-wheel-drive chassis seen in larger airports, medium and small airports primarily employ fire trucks built on all-wheel-drive truck chassis to ensure safety. Towards the end of last year, I observed 2 Ziegler airport fire trucks serving Yangzhou Airport. Despite their compact size, these trucks conceal substantial power, always prepared to confront fire hazards.
This airport fire truck utilizes the MAN TGS33.540 6×6 all-wheel-drive chassis. Unlike the same model TGS we introduced earlier this year, this airport fire truck has a higher ground clearance and a shorter wheelbase. To create more space for the rear-mounted equipment, only the shortest daytime version of the cab was chosen.
As a specialized airport fire truck, while the front turret doesn’t have as high a flow rate as the roof turret, it can spray fire extinguishing agents while moving. There are also spray nozzles for the runway on the bumper’s side. These nozzles are crucial for covering the runway with fire extinguishing agents when the aircraft’s landing gear cannot be deployed.
The vehicle features a MAN D26 series inline 6-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine, boasting a displacement of 12.4 liters. It achieves a peak power output of 540 horsepower and a maximum torque of 2500 Newton meters, complying with the EURO V emissions standard. Its transmission system utilizes ZF’s advanced Traxon gearbox. Given the demanding acceleration needs for airport fire trucks under full load, a high horsepower engine is essential. Reportedly, the vehicle accelerates from 0 to 80 km/h in less than 40 seconds and reaches a top speed of 105 km/h.
These tires are sourced from the Michelin X series of off-road tires, sized at 395/85 R20, which is essentially the familiar 14.00R20. They are widely used on off-road trucks and large trailers, commanding a high price due to their significantly larger dimensions compared to standard highway tires.
The vehicles utilize MAN‘s proprietary wheel-edge reduction bridge, ensuring excellent off-road performance. There has been considerable curiosity about why airport fire trucks heavily favor all-wheel drive. This was previously clarified: in the event of an airplane accident, every moment is critical for rescue operations. Airport fire trucks are specifically engineered to swiftly reach the aircraft, frequently taking direct routes across the grass adjacent to the runway. The benefits of all-wheel drive are vividly showcased in these urgent situations.
The front axle suspension utilizes a 3-piece parabolic steel plate spring, while the rear axle utilizes a multi-leaf spring.
Ziegler, a globally renowned brand in fire truck equipment, has accumulated extensive experience in airport fire trucks. Consequently, they have developed advanced techniques for equipment installation. LED display lights are positioned on both sides of the vehicle to indicate the capacity of the fire extinguishing agents.
This is a Ziegler-branded 6×6 off-road fire truck designed for foam firefighting, boasting a water capacity of 10,000 liters and a foam capacity of 1,200 liters. It features an FPN 10-6000-2M fire pump. All vehicle-mounted cannons are manufactured by Ziegler, with the main roof cannon reaching up to 75 meters and the front cannon extending to 40 meters.
The vehicle has a highly compact body design, featuring equal departure angles, thereby enhancing its off-road capability to a considerable extent.
In the domestic market for fire truck chassis, MAN enjoys a dominant position due to its extensive product range. The diverse range of chassis forms provides excellent foundations for fire trucks tailored to various purposes. For instance, besides the TGS33.540 6×6 highlighted in the article, MAN offers the TGS18.540 in a 4×4 drive configuration, exemplifying their comprehensive product lineup designed to meet diverse user requirements.
