Australian fire services choose Allison autos

When it comes to keeping communities safe from fire, Allison Transmission says its automatic transmissions are the preferred choice for Australian fire services, offering precision control and unique applications while also allowing personnel to focus on the threat at hand.

If fact, the company says its transmissions can be found in the vast majority of the 10,000 or more emergency services trucks in active service.

“Approximately 90 per cent of all metro fire fleets and 80 per cent of rural fire fleets are equipped with one of our transmissions,” says Robert Cavagnino, Australian Sales Director, Allison Transmission.

“We’ve been supplying the country’s fire services since the 1970s alongside a range of OEM partners including Isuzu, Hino, Scania, IVECO, Freightliner, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo. We cover a range of vehicle types and applications across a variety of settings – from tankers and pumpers through to logistics and rescue vehicles.”

Allison says it dominates the market because its fully automatic transmissions offer several key benefits: seamless gear changes, uninterrupted power, improved reliability and straightforward maintenance and servicing.

“These benefits are of high value to anyone in an emergency setting,” says Cavagnino. “Having a fully automatic also means anyone with the applicable vehicle licence can drive the truck. Many younger drivers may not have had much manual experience.”

All Allison transmissions incorporate patented Continuous Power Technology, featuring a hydraulic torque converter that efficiently multiplies peak engine torque whilst also protecting the drivetrain. This results in more power delivered to the wheels compared to other transmission technologies, ensuring optimal drivability in both on-highway and off-road conditions.

The superior acceleration afforded by Allison transmissions helps trucks respond swiftly around town, while the transmission can also aid in fighting fires itself.

Once stationary, some Scania metro trucks adopt a Split Shaft Power Take Off (PTO) that diverts engine power to raise ladders and to power high-volume pumps, pumping water as high as seven or eight storeys high.

“Those particular trucks are equipped with Allison 3000 Series or 4000 Series transmissions but, as with all of our OEM partners, we’ve got a range of transmissions to meet the needs of different fire authority requirements,” says Cavagnino.

Beyond the city, requirements are different. Some fire services use Hino 4x4 fire trucks with an engine drive PTO option. This allows the truck to keep moving while also pumping water – ideal for extinguishing grass fires.

And for tackling rural or bush blazes on steep angles, the IVECO Eurocargo E6 is offered with a factory option of an Allison 3000 Series auto with PTO and retarder, allowing the vehicle to crawl forward without rolling back.

When water is scarce, the Isuzu FYX 350-350 equipped with an Allison 4430P and PTO can pump water from its 16,000-litre tank to other firefighting units nearby.

“We are proud to play a small part in helping emergency services work more efficiently – in both the peak summer bushfire season and year-round,” says Cavagnino.

Allison Transmission says it’s the largest global manufacturer of fully automatic transmissions for commercial, emergency and defence vehicles, while backup here in Australia is offered nationally via its network of 57 service locations.