New or Refurbished? - This Pierce Aerialscope has a new chassis, new body, new generator, and a new hydraulic system. The boom sections themselves are re-used as well as the setup jacks; the cylinders inside them are rebuilt. After refurbishing to this extent, we are forced to ask ourselves - is this a refurbished truck? Or is it new? PEMA thinks its new - they approved a $150,000 2% loan, the amount approved for a new truck. The only thing about this truck that even indicates that it is refurbished is the price tag, over $300,000 less than a new truck.

Third Edition - This Aerialscope has seen action. Born as FDNY truck 127, it was run so hard that it had to be placed in reserve status early. When the crew from Birdsboro bought the truck around 1990 it didn't start, had bullet holes in it, and had aerial controllers missing from it. The truck was sent to Harrisburg Mack, where it was partially refurbished on its existing chassis (second edition). Bullet holes filled, new paint job, bad hoses replaced, some controllers replaced (the ones that were missing), a rebuilt engine and a rebuilt transmission were just a few highlights of the project. This process bought the fire company 15 years - the aerial served well until 2005, when it was re-mounted onto a Pierce chassis, becoming the third edition of the truck.

Power - The Pierce is powered by a 450 HP Cummins ISM engine.  This is the largest block that can fit in the chassis. Boasting 1650 foot pounds of torque, the engine leaves little to be desired. The on board 10kw generator (buried inside the body for noise reduction yet easy serviceability) provides plenty of electrical power for whatever it may be called to do.

Handling - Pierce's patented Tak-4 independent front suspension actually makes the vehicle handle more like a sport utility than a 65,000 pound, top heavy Aerial. Gabriel shock absorbers provide a ride equivalent to that of a luxury car.

Maneuverable - Less than 96" hanging over the rear of the truck (less than the old truck) combined with Tak-4's 45 degree cramp angle make this truck one of the most maneuverable in the garage.

Quick Setup - Unlike most Aerial trucks, this truck can be properly and safely set up in under one minute. Overall time from parking brake application to aerial flying? Under 90 seconds.

True Multitasking - Many aerial trucks can multitask - they can extend, rotate, and raise at the same time. Most trucks, however, lose a significant amount of speed in one movement when another is started simultaneously. Careful hose routing, large hydraulic pump, elimination of the accumulator system, and all new controllers are just some of the reasons this aerial operates at full speed, all the time.

Quiet - The Cummins ISM engine was carefully chosen for its quiet 650 RPM idle. High idle on this truck is only 900 RPM. Many newer engines are noted for loud turbos at low RPMs. Cummins engines do not need to do this to meet emissions requirements. The turbo doesn't spool high until it exceeds 1000 RPM, which is higher than the truck will ever run on a scene. The result is a quiet truck. This truck is so quiet, even on high idle that personnel standing on the ground can communicate with the turntable operator using normal voices, not shouting. Not only is this truck quieter than the Mack Aerialscope, its quieter than any new Aerial on the market.

Turn Night Into Day - With over 6,000 watts of lighting attached to the truck and just as much sitting in a compartment ready to deploy, this truck will turn night into day in a hurry.