Title

Creation Date

Materials

Dimensions

106.625in H x 70in W x 488.5in L Item (Overall)

16.5in H x 31.25in W x 433in L

Measurement of the Aerial Ladder

24in H x 38in W x 15.5in D

Measurement of the Tillerman's Seat

60in H

30in Diameter

Measurement of the Tiller's Steering Wheel

40.5in H x 32.5in W x 386in L

Measurement of ladder arches and main frame.

49.5in H x 52in W x 83in L

Measurement of the Raising Device.

16in H x 70in W x 249in L

Measurement of the Tool and Tiller Side Platforms.

8.5in H x 30.25in W x 180in L

Measurement of the Equipment Basket.

13.5in W

42in Diameter

Measurement of the left and right wheels.

Maker's Mark

Description

A Type “31” American Automatic Aerial tiller truck. The tiller has two (2) wooden spoked wheels with solid rubber tires near the back, a system of ladder supports in the form of arches and roller rods, a tool platform, and a turntable at the base of the seventy-two (72) foot, two-tiered aerial ladder across the top. The body of the tiller is nickel plated, painted in red, and decorated with gold and black paint scroll work. 

The tiller’s main frame consists of two (2) six (6) inch high steel beams/channels that are roughly thirty-two (32) feet long. There is about twenty-six (26) inches between the two (2) frames. A round turntable is supported by the frame, directly behind where the tiller is bolted to the tractor. Attached to the turntable are two (2) brackets that support the tractor’s driver’s seat, which comes with upholstered black leather cushions, as well as the raising device for the aerial ladder. The raising device consists of several coil springs that are mounted inside two (2) long steel tubes, which are painted red and arranged horizontally on the turntable. Above the tubes are two (2) raising gears, connected to either side of a plunger rod, as well as two (2) pairs of hand wheels. Also, two (2) wooden platforms are on each side of the raising device. The 1 ¾ in. x 16 ⅞ in. x 76 ¾ in. platforms have a metal frame and the tops are covered in corrugated rubber matting. At the other end of the aerial ladder is the ‘Tillerman’s Seat,’ which consists of a metal seat rail and wood seat that is covered with corrugated rubber matting. 

Between the aerial ladder and main frame are six (6) ladder arches that each support three (3) roller rods. Two (2) metal tubing handrails are on each side of the truck and are attached to the first and fourth ladder arch. Beneath the main frame is a tool platform that is constructed on nine wood slats and flanked by two (2) twenty (20) foot long wooden platforms. The platforms are covered with corrugated rubber matting. A front and back metal mud fender is on either end of the tool platform. A fifteen (15) foot long equipment basket is in the center of the tool platform and constructed of coarse wire mesh with channel frame.

Contact the Bill and Bonnie Daniels Fire Hall and Museum for more information