KME Adds Maxxforce Engines to 2010 Custom Fire Apparatus Line

July 22, 2010
Under a new supply agreement, KME Fire Apparatus now offers Navistar’s MaxxForce brand Advanced EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) diesel engines in its full line of custom aerials, pumpers, tankers and rescue trucks

Under a new supply agreement, KME Fire Apparatus now offers Navistar’s MaxxForce brand Advanced EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) diesel engines in its full line of custom aerials, pumpers, tankers and rescue trucks.

This month, Holtsville Fire Department in Long Island, N.Y., became the first KME customer to order a new eight-person custom rescue apparatus powered by an EPA 2010 MaxxForce 13 engine.

According to KME, the new 2010 MaxxForce engines offer fire departments a combination of performance characteristics and emissions technology unmatched by competing diesels.

“The MaxxForce 13 provides extremely high torque at low rpm, which is a must for this industry,” said Jim Duncan, president, Chief Fire and Rescue Apparatus, Holtsville FD’s KME dealer in Port Washington, N.Y. “And its emissions system is simple to operate and maintain, which allows firehouses to focus on their priorities.”

“We’ve built our business on providing unrivaled flexibility in fire apparatus design and MaxxForce engines offer fire departments another world-class choice,” said John J. Kovatch III, president, KME Fire Apparatus. “Significantly, these MaxxForce engines also enable our customers to standardize their vehicle and equipment fleets with the torque requirements customers need in a simple package.”

KME and the Holtsville Fire Department became interested in the 2010 MaxxForce engines late last year at a fire industry trade show, where Navistar hosted product demonstrations.

“We were impressed by the advantages the MaxxForce engine provides, which keeps our maintenance simple,” said Joseph Evola, 1st Assistant Chief, Holtsville Fire Department.
MaxxForce 13 engines for custom fire apparatus provide 475 horsepower and 1700 lb.-ft. torque for demanding fire and rescue operations. Holtsville’s new custom rescue, built on a 100-inch-wide KME chassis with 22-inch raised-roof cab, is the latest addition to the department’s 14-vehicle fleet.