Review of new fire brigade rescue equipment

[playmofire]

A short time ago on klickywelt.de I came across part numbers for some of the new fire brigade equipment.  As I was especially interested in the new rescue gear I put these on my next DS order and here is the result.

The first photo shows the parts which make up the new rescue gear.  Part numbers are as follows:

A: 30 20 1462 connecting handle

B: 30 20 1452 winding drum

C: 30 20 1442 frame

D: 30 08 1440 motor unit

E: 30 89 3852 hydraulic tubing (actually the same as the electric fence wire)

F: 30 20 1472 equipment handle - two of these are needed

G spreader and H cutter: 30 51 6880 - these come as a pair

All parts were available apart from the motor, but I had already worked out that this was the same as the motor from the paintsprayer compressor and had one I could use temporarily.

The "hydraulic tubing" is slotted into the connecting handle through a slot in the side and then out the end, after first tying a knot in the end of the string not being slotted through.  The know then stops the string slipping out of the handle.  The string for this is two strands wound together and then sealed at each end.  If you cut the string, it immediately comes unwound but the ends can be sealed again by heat.  The free end of the "tubing" is then slotted through a hole in then winding drum and out through a slot on the other side where is is knotted at the end to stop it slipping out.

[playmofire]

The final picture showing the connection of the "hydraulic tubing" and then one of the assembled motor unit followed by the motor unit with the rescue gear.  Lastly, the motor unit with the cutting gear attached.

[playmofire]

Next we see the spreader attached, and note how they are attached, with the oval curve closest to the attachment rather than closest to the yellow connecting handle.  So far, in all the pictures I've seen the oval curve has been nearer the yellow handle!  More on that later.

The new unit and attachments fit neatly into the new slide out system I've devised.

[playmofire]

Now the cutting gear in action.  The crew carry it from the appliance and the cutting head is attached.  Note that the cutting head (and the same applies to the spreader unit) has to be slightly clear of the handle for the klicky to be able to hold it with both hands.  Lastly, the cutting head round the windscreen pillar of a fire brigade jeep.  The blades don't open and close like the old version, but they are soft and flexible and so can be bent open and be placed round small diameter items.

[playmofire]

It's late so I'll leave things here for the moment.  Tomorrow I'll show how the new motor unit can be used with the old cutters and spreaders and with custom items. Meanwhile, thanks for looking. 

[Rasputin]

When i first saw this tool i thought it was a self contained winch . I think i will change the Hyd. hose to a gray rope and still use it as one for my logging/tree crew and one for a rescue crew oh and one for the construction company and one more for the train maintenance team and and ..........

Thanks for the review and great pictures  .

[Bill Blackhurst]

Excellent review Gordon ! I have a couple questions regarding the new design small spreader attachment, are they able to actually spread apart like the old spreaders, or do they stay in the closed position, are they rigid plastic, or flexible like the cutters?

[playmofire]

When i first saw this tool i thought it was a self contained winch . I think i will change the Hyd. hose to a gray rope and still use it as one for my logging/tree crew and one for a rescue crew oh and one for the construction company and one more for the train maintenance team and and ..........

Thanks for the review and great pictures  .

Thank you, Ras, and the great thing about Playmobil is you can make some thing like this into exactly what you want.  It will make a great portable winch for your logging crew and other crews.

[playmofire]

Excellent review Gordon ! I have a couple questions regarding the new design small spreader attachment, are they able to actually spread apart like the old spreaders, or do they stay in the closed position, are they rigid plastic, or flexible like the cutters?

Thank you, Bill.  Unfortunately, the new spreader's blades are fixed and, in line with much of the new Playmobil in the last few years, the blades are of a soft plastic.

[playmovictorian]

Excellent analysis Gordon  !!!

Karim