Dual points for increased dwell??

[V8COOPMAN]

The Seagrave engines were made from a Pierce Arrow design V12. Those old fire trucks were big and heavy so they needed a powerful engine and a lot of gearing to get them going in a hurry.

I'll bet ya that if someone asks really nicely, the "tubman" will be happy to reiterate the story about the brakes that WOULDN'T get them Seagraves "stopped in a hurry". DD

 

[tubman]

My Seagrave had power brakes that usually worked fine, thank you. However, the gas gauge wasn't very consistent and I ran out of gas going to The Burnsville (MN) Fire Muster one beautiful Saturday morning. It was like there were no brakes at all. I was literally standing on the brake pedal with both feet pulling up as hard as I could on the steering wheel before they became even the least little bit effective. I was able to pull into an empty parking lot and got it stopped. I put some gas in it, got it started and the brakes were as effective as ever. It was one scary experience, and I kept the gas tank full from then on.

This was a nice original truck with 2300 road miles and 17,000 engine (pumping) miles. It could easily exceed 70 MPH on a straight level road.

 

[V8COOPMAN]

My Seagrave had power brakes. It was like there were no brakes at all. I was literally standing on the brake pedal with both feet pulling up as hard as I could on the steering wheel before they became even the least little bit effective. I put some gas in it, got it started and the brakes were as effective as ever.

Ah....Just a funny story I remembered (although your puckered butt probably didn't feel humored at the time) that just begged to be told once again! DD