THE DAHILL AERIAL LADDER.
一个新的空中卡车进入市场。它是the invention of Chief Edward F. Dahill and Captain Goddard, of the New Bedford, Mass., fire department. The claim for its improvement over other trucks is, that its lifting device has a power of 16,000 pounds and that it can be operated by simply turning a valve, and that it will stop automatically when in erect position. This lifting device can be applied to other apparatus. This patented device consists of a circular storagetank and two separate cylinders, all vertically mounted on the top of a turntable under the ladder. The motive power is air under pressure. The piston rods in the cylinders are directly connected to the ladder. There is, also, an automatic shut-off valve that closes as the ladder reaches a vertical position, and two springs that engage when the ladder reaches an angle of forty-five degrees, and which assist in bringing it to a gradual stop. To operate the apex-valve the ladder assumes a vertical position in a very few seconds and stops itself. I lie two semicircles shown 011 the side of the ladder have a toothed surface at the lower edge that engage a pawl and hold tinladder perfectly rigid at any angle. With this device attached to any aerial truck it is possible to raise any ladder up to too feet in seven seconds. It may be mentioned that old trucks can he equipped with this device at a nominal cost. The Dahill aerial ladder is handled by The Cornelius Callahan company, of 177 Purchase street, Boston, and the Metropolitan Life building. 1 Madison avenue, Manhattan, New York (George S. Willis, manager), who are agents for the new piece of fire apparatus. An exhibition of the new truck was recently given in New York, at which Fire Commissioner Hayes, Chief Croker, John H. Leonard, chief of construction, and other officers of the department were present. It was demonstrated that it is possible to raise a seventy-foot extension from its bed on the truck to the full height in seven seconds. The Callahan company, as general sales agent, has since contracted with New York city for one of these trucks, and the one tested has been ordered to be put in service on trial
Luke I vers is now chief of the fire department of Waterville. Me.
