Oshkosh Truck Subsidiary, Pierce Manufacturing Inc., Introduces The Pierce Ultimate Configuration, Or PUC Emergency Response Vehicle

Oshkosh Truck Corporation (NYSE:OSK) announced today that its fire truck subsidiary, Pierce Manufacturing Inc., has introduced its newest product – the PUC, or Pierce Ultimate Configuration – at the Fire Department Instructors Conference in Indianapolis. The PUC dramatically changes the way in which fire apparatus can be configured. The new design removes the space-consuming pump house by locating the fire pump underneath the vehicle’s cab instead of in the mid-section of the fire truck to increase maneuverability, position hoses and fire system controls for ergonomic access, and dramatically increase equipment storage space.

“The PUC multi-purpose response vehicle has the potential to change the fire truck industry, and we consider this to be the biggest innovation since the development of the first custom fire chassis. The PUC is the culmination of countless conversations with fire fighters, thousands of engineering hours, and true, innovative thinking on the part of our development team,” said John Randjelovic, Oshkosh executive vice president and president of Pierce Manufacturing.

“The fact that we’ve been able to eliminate the bulky pump house on a fire truck is a remarkable accomplishment. The PUC design makes better use of the available space onboard, which changes the way the truck is used and allows fire fighters to do their job better and more safely,” explained Randjelovic.

The five most significant benefits of the PUC for fire fighters include:

Easier to use – The PUC features a simplified, two-step pump shift operation and “single touch” water-foam-CAFS selection that has the chosen system up and functional before the operator is out of the cab.

Easier to stay safer - Hosebeds, crosslays and ladder access are lowered for better ergonomic use. It also positions the pump operator next to hose connections rather than over them, and the pump panel is redesigned for easier use.

Easier to store more – This new configuration offers a full 500 cubic feet of storage space.

Easier to service and maintain – Pump service time is reduced from days to just hours as the entire pump system is located above the frame and beneath the cab, so full access to all the plumbing and the pump is as simple as tilting the cab and removing the crosslay trays.

Easier to maneuver – Without the space required for the pump house, the fire truck’s wheelbase is shorter – as little as 172 inches -- for improved maneuverability.

The PUC, with patent-pending technology, is available on Pierce® custom chassis, has a tank capacity of up to 1,600 gallons, a pump range of up to 1,500 gpm, a 6-year standard warranty on the pump, a compartment load rating to 800 pounds each, and a 10-year limited structural warranty. Wheelbase offerings come in 172 to 212 inches (depending on body size and chassis).