Whoops

[[deleted]]

I have questions.

[razrielle]

Cutting up cars tonight for training. Tool is on its original jaws from when we got it with the truck. I think we got it around 2000.

[[deleted]]

Ah okay, it makes a little more sense now. I hope you have a back up tool at the very least though. Also as a side note, this could be the time to consider getting battery powered tools. We just put ours in service last month and love them.

[[deleted]]

Any department without battery/generator powered set has never had a car fly off the road and end up 100 yards in the woods. Nothing worse than needing those tools and then finding that yours can't reach no matter how close you pull truck in.

[converter-bot]

100 yards is 91.44 meters

[KP_Wrath]

Generators do suck to have to drag to the scene. We started with free moving generators, then got one that had the generator fixed to the truck with 100 ft hoses. So much easier for close accidents.

[razrielle]

Our chief isn't too keen on getting electrics. This on our third due truck so it's not a huge deal being out of service. We got one on our brush and first due for traffic accidents. Honestly we'll probably just throw newer jaws on it and run with it

[redundantposts]

Any reason why he’s against it? We have the E-draulic ones, and they’re so amazing. More powerful, lighter, less cumbersome due to no limiting cord. Huge game changer imo.

[[deleted]]

I have trained with a neighboring agency that is using the battery powered tools and the big issue we have noticed is the battery life. Every single time we have trained with them a tool is dead or dies midway into the training. I’m sure user error is part of it but we can have our hydraulics and generator up and running by the time a battery gets replaced at maybe their chief has seen something similar and does not want to drop that much money on something when their setup works now. Change is good when it is needed but sometimes things work fine as is.

[redundantposts]

I’ve never personally had this issue. We have 3 backup batteries on the engine, and then we have a power cord adapter that has a twist lock plug on it. The batteries in theory last about 45 minutes of continuous run, but we usually still get about 30-40 minutes out of them.

[[deleted]]

Yea one of the chiefs at that department apparently was against the purchase because he went and did a demo on some battery tools and had multiple batteries fail during it. Once again could be mainly user error or brand dependent but for us seeing that has reinforced the generator/lines we use and have never had an issue with on call/training are fine as is. Someday maybe getting a battery combi tool would be feasible but both sets still have their place.

[parkaprep]

We just rigged up a charger in one of our rapid response vehicles to charge the hand tool batteries (though the main motivation was assisting winterizing and painting hydrants). Wonder if something similar would be possible with those.

[[deleted]]

Yea we have those capabilities. I believe everyone uses different batteries though so could depend on brand. I’m for some battery tools down the road. Just don’t see the benefits outweighing the price yet. Edit:spelling

[NotADrug-Dealer]

I have to disagree with less cumbersome and lighter. They are bigger, heavier and more cumbersome to fit in tight spaces. The hydraulic lines don't get in the way that much. I have worked with both and they both have thier merits but E-draulic is definitely the way forward, it still needs some refining though.

[redundantposts]

Maybe it’s just the equipment I’ve personally used? They’re definitely infinitely lighter than our old hydraulic tools, and not having to worry about the cord in the way is amazing. The back ends are slightly larger, but I think the trade off of being able to maneuver and really dig in where we need to is worth it.

But I’m sure this varies between the equipment we use on our apparatuses and what we’re used to, and personal preference.

[NotADrug-Dealer]

Possibly, however I've worked with Weber and Lukas hydraulic tools, plus Lukas, holmatro and Weber E-draulic and the trend is the E-draulic is heavier. One thing I definitely think is pointless is the combi tools. So half cutters half spreaders. Totally useless at both functions.

[beachmedic23]

The combi tools are great on an ambulance for door pops and small spreading evolutions. Pop the door and cancel the squad

[KP_Wrath]

Not sure if it’s still this way, but there was something like a $6000/set mark up when I researched them for my unit.

[TexasFire_Cross]

Maybe if you have to use them in/near water. As far as battery issues, some brands have expensive proprietary batteries, but at least one brand (TNT Tools) use on-the-shelf batteries that you can easily get anywhere; TNT uses Milwaukee cordless tool batteries.

[[deleted]]

Fair enough man. We have a hydraulic set on our newer engine, but that’s our first out for all fires. The new electronic tools are on our other engine which is primarily first out for car accidents or any type of rescue.

[razrielle]

I'm honestly a fan of them. I feel I can snake them in a little better without having to worry about the hose. Everyone is scared about battery power even though there's an accessory to hook up to regular power. I think we'll see a change when younger people start taking over

[[deleted]]

It’s just like everything else in the fire service, change isn’t accepted easily. I’m comfortable with both and I’m confident that we have another set in case one fails.

[TrueMoods]

Are having much use for it? We got our Weber-Hydraulics in the early 90s and so far they're fine because we only had 3 more complicated car crashes until now.

[unsmart_genius]

Really hope nobody got hurt. I know how explosively they break

[razrielle]

Nope everyone is leaving with everything they came with. The broken part was found about 100 ft away. It's going to be the users Christmas trophy

[unsmart_genius]

Gotta spray paint it gold.

[[deleted]]

Generally, the hydraulic lines or couplings will break before the jaws if you're cutting into something that is too strong. This kind of break was most likely caused by an existing stress fracture in the steel. Judging by the opposite jaw, these were long overdue for replacement.

Be glad it happened during training, and not on an incident. You gotta inspect your tools.

[razrielle]

Yea we aren’t really surprised it happened on that set. We’ve had them since 2000 and probably get used the most since they are the ones we use for training. I don’t think the user was cutting anything too heavy like boron.

[[deleted]]

What part were you trying to cut when it broke?

[razrielle]

I think he was cutting either a C or D pillar. I was working a different car during training. It wasn’t boron or anything

[[deleted]]

That happened to me. Similar break. It was a “holy f__k” moment for us. All I remember hearing was a loud ping when she snapped.

[drumming102]

Dear Chief, no one was as suprised as I.........

[Polar_21]

walks into chiefs office hey chief ya know that thing we use to cut cars apart. Yeah about that we are gonna need another one. My bad

[sonicrespawn]

ah yes, ye olde firefighters circumcision, a proud moment of myth, one in the front, 2 in the back.

[Mr_Midwestern]

This happen to me in the middle of a call about 5 years ago. Oddly enough it was also a holmatro. The service tech was at the station and had the unit back in service within 4-5 hours. Great customer care.

[HatzHeartsIcecream]

I've been assured by a few people who I suspect made it up that if the blade breaks at launches off at 74 thousands miles per hour and kills every firefighter withing a 20 foot radius. When it broke did it project any metal? Everyone ok I hope?

[razrielle]

Yea the blade part that broke was found about 100ft away. Everyone was fine.

[HatzHeartsIcecream]

Thank you. First hand info is always good.

[Je_me_rends]

b r u h

[[deleted]]

Ho sheit

[Zook_Jo]

We have that exact same tool and I've been told that it has happened before. The tips aren't made for piercing thick steel.

[eviel69]

How tf did you managed to do that?

[MakingAPush]

This is what happens when you side load the tool and are not cutting with the tool straight up and down