Tower Ladder 43
(Retired July 18, 2010)
Tower Ladder 43 is a 1971 Mack 75′ Baker Aerialscope, which was the second one ever used in New England and the first in Connecticut. Some of the main features of this truck are:
- Mack E6-237 engine
- Mack 5 speed manual transmission
- 218″ wheelbase
- Custom aluminum ground plates
- Stang brand deck gun
- 7.5kw diesel generator
- Super Vac 20″ PPV
- 1000 lb bucket capacity at full horizontal extension (while flowing 1000 GPM through the monitor)
- Full boom control from the bucket
A major overhaul was done in 1998 to modernize many of the truck’s features. As the truck approaches its 40th birthday, the department is working on finding a replacement.
FDNYtrucks.com has a great compilation of Aerialscope pictures from around the country. Of the numerous aerialscopes featured, ours (Baker serial No. “033″) is among the oldest (if not THE oldest). With dilligent maintenance and modernization, this truck remains one of the most revered of its kind in the region. Its relatively short wheelbase allows us to get it into tight spots; and its remarkable versatility gets the job done safely and effectively.