Featured Rig of the Quarter

1972 Mack CF Pumper

Richard Fletcher is the owner of this 1972 Mack CF pumper. This rig was originally delivered to the Cromwell Connecticut Fire Department on August 28, 1972, and designated as Engine 8. Engine 8 was placed in service as a second due pumper, and also carried extrication equipment and responded to motor vehicle accidents. The rig has a 1,000 gpm pump, and a 500 gallon water tank.

Although it was believed that the rig was rehabbed at some point during it's service life, records indicate it was not other than having an extended front bumper with a 50' trash line installed. Except for the extended front bumper the truck is still in original condition.

The doghouse holds a 100' preconnect, and the hose bed is equipped with 250' of 2 1/2" attack line, 200' of 1 3/4" attack line, and 750' of 3" supply line. Richard also added a steel tool box to the hose bed to carry heavy duty tools for emergency road repairs, which Richard has had his share of. The rig is also equipped with a small generator to supply it's 110 volt electrical system.

After a long service life the rig was placed in reserve status, and was put up for bid in 2007. After meeting with the Chief of the Cromwell Fire Dept. Richard was able to purchase the rig for the sum of $1.00. Since purchasing the rig, Richard has put approximately $9,000 into it. Richard has done such work as rewiring the electrical system, extensive repairs to the plumbing system, as well as adding a scanner and CB radio inside the cab.

At the end of 2010, Richard had put approximately 3,800 miles on the rig driving to various truck shows, fire musters, and fundraisers for cancer research.

The rig is a work in progress however, it is in such good shape it is sometimes mistaken as an in service piece of apparatus. The Cromwell Fire Department has received numerous calls from concerned citizens wondering why Engine 8 is so far from home.