New Challenger LH Pumper — High Performance, Low Hosebed

KME will unveil its new Challenger LH pumper at the FDIC show in Indianapolis this month. The new LH (Low Hosebed) model features a 152” aluminum body with an ultra-low, high-capacity hosebed and a KME Severe Service chassis that’s perfect for high volume departments nationwide.

SAFE, EASY ACCESS
The hosebed is only 5’ from the ground and is capable of supporting rear discharges with 200’ of 2” and 200’ of 3” hose plus center hose storage of 600’ of 3” and 1000’ of 5” hose. In addition, the two crosslays at the side mount pump panel are only 63” from the ground.

BODY STORAGE
The body features 29” deep compartments standard, yielding more storage space than any other program body in the fire service. With wider compartments comes more fender storage options that include the ability to store three (3) SCBA cylinders in one section, a full SCBA, up to three (3) fire extinguishers, wheel chocks, salvage tarps, a 70 lb. slide out absorbent bin, as well as other items.

LONG TERM VALUE
The KME Severe Service chassis is specifically designed to reliably support departments call after call within ease of maintenance unmatched in the industry. Standard traditionally wired systems are color and function coded for ease in troubleshooting and adding components. The rugged interior includes a heavy vinyl upholstered roof, dash and doghouse.

KME’s suspension and braking systems provides tire and brake life far beyond other competitor’s models. In addition, every component on the chassis has been subjected to high volume use in extreme conditions with over a million miles of real world testing.

For more information on the New Challenger LH Pumper contact
your KME representative.

The Cost of Waiting

Are you considering saving for a year or two before buying your next truck? Or, do you need two trucks and only have the funds to buy one now and get the second in a few years?

Surprisingly, this can be an expensive choice to make.

Right now, mandated changes by agencies like DOT and NFPA combined with increases in raw material costs are causing truck prices to increase much faster than current historically low interest rates. So, the annual increases in prices can be much larger than paying interest.

By saving for three years, you lose about $35,000 of buying power on a $250,000 truck. So, in three years, your choice is to have $285,000 or buy today’s equivalent of a $215,000 truck.

By buying and financing a $250,000 truck today, you’ll pay about $20,000 in interest. You get the full truck you need today and pay less for it overall.

Of course, if the truck price is higher, the costs and the savings are magnified even more.

KME Predator Arrives in the Northwest

The City of Salem, Oregon has recently taken delivery of 13 KME Predator pumpers. The City’s units are full featured pumpers that meet the unique needs of the City, but could easily be customized for other municipalities across the nation.

ADD-ON PURCHASING
The City of Salem’s bid included verbiage (pursuant to ORS 279A.200 to 279A.225) that invited other public agencies to use the purchase agreement for add-on purchases. KME encourages such orders and even allows departments to make changes so that the apparatus fits their needs. Benefits for such a purchase include:
• Lower pricing as part of a multi-unit discount structure
• Elimination of high administrative costs associated with the bid process
• Faster deliveries (bids often delay purchases for three-nine months)
• Ability for some customization

FIREFIGHTER COMFORT & SAFETY
Salem’s KME Predator cab is an extended four door cab with seating for six. Ergonomic features include binder storage and a swivel mount tray on the engine enclosure for an officer’s laptop, comfortable air suspension seating, easy access cab compartment in the rear crew area, and 70,000 BTU air conditioning with venting to each occupant. The rig also includes a 20,000 lb front axle and air rear suspension for high performance.

The KME Predator is fully crash tested and includes a 1/4” doghouse, 3/16” doors and a substructure of 1/4” and 3/16” reinforcement tubing that makes the Predator cab the most rugged and safe cab available.

HIGH PERFORMANCE CHASSIS
The chassis includes a lifetime frame warranty, heavy duty disc brakes, ATC, Cummins ISM 435hp engine, 320 amp alternator, and a KME/Class 1 multiplex system for easy programming and maintenance.

FULL FEATURED FIRE PACKAGE

The KME 3/16” aluminum body has full height compartments with over 220 cubic feet of storage and a Sabre Vent ventilation system. It also includes a lowered hosebed for safe ground level access. The hydraulic ladder rack allows for safe access to the ladder and maximized storage. Electrical components include an LED warning light package with Traffic Advisor, LED compartment lighting, radios and an Intercom system. The pumping system includes a 1500 gpm pump with stainless steel plumbing, foam system, 500/15 Gal water/foam tanks, dual booster reels, and monitor.

MORE TO COME
KME is currently in production for additional units for the City of Salem including water tenders on International chassis and Ford grass trucks. If you need information on any of these units, contact your KME representative today for more information. In the Pacific Northwest, contact Eric Hall.