[NCSULandscaper]

Ive been thinking about this idea for a while. Has anyone ever heard of taking an old fire engine and turning it into a hydroseeder on wheels. It already has large pumps, and a large tank. Could it actually work? Ive seen many fire engines around here being sold for a few grand.

[Lanelle]

How would you retrofit the tanks with agitation paddles or would it have to be jet agitation? I think putting an opening in the top for loading materials would be fairly easy.

[Stonehenge]

I think the only hangup would be the agitation, as Lanelle mentioned. Other than that, it would seem like something that'd be possible.

[Will Pacala]

I agree with agitation. If paddles can be installed or be jet agitation then yes. Take it to a fabricator and have him cut out a hole in the top of the back and put some railings on it and your set. Go to ebay motors and type in fire trucks and see what you find. The prices (as you had already said) are very good. As long as it can handle the pressure and weight and doesn't get clogged with slurry. Good idea! You may also want a trailer hitch to put a trailer for either tools or mix or both. But that's an easy and inexpensive job.

[Will Pacala]

Heres one I found on ebay. It's old but only $ 2,000. Seems to be in good shape because the departments always clean and maintain them.

[NCSULandscaper]

I think jet aggitation would be the easiest way to go. I can fabricate up a system to take care of that. Someone mentioned to me that fire truck tanks may have baffles in them to cut down on movement. If they do they can be removed also, esp with older trucks that have simple tanks in them. Ill have to do a little more research on the issue. Thanks for the suggestions.

[lx665]

Fire truck water tanks do have baffles. A another problem might be the type pump in fire trucks. Most hydro seeder use positive displacement pump. Fire trucks use a centrifuges type pump. They are not disigned to pump slurry. There are also pressure relief valves that will become clogged. I see many problems that are doing to show up. By the way, my other job is a fire fighter.

John

[Lanelle]

Maybe using it as a watering truck would be the easiest and most profitable way to go?

[Paul]

I see a few other problems, your not going to know what shape the tank is. Most hydroseeder tanks have a curve built into them this allows the slurry to move on it's own and blend. Next how big is the tank in those trucks? Fire trucks are not governed by weight limits like commercial trucks. Hanging all that metal on them adds lots of weight. My real question is what are you gaining by converting it to a hydro-seeder? A 600 gallon Finn will run you $18,000 and will out shoot most if not all jet machines using a good wood mulch.

[NCSULandscaper]

Originally posted by Paul
My real question is what are you gaining by converting it to a hydro-seeder? A 600 gallon Finn will run you $18,000 and will out shoot most if not all jet machines using a good wood mulch.

I think you just answered your own question. I dont see spending $18,000 on a hydroseeder when i might can buy a fire engine and make the changes for less than $5,000.

[Paul]

What you might save in cost on a real hydroseeder you will lose on labor.

[lx665]

I still don't understand how you plan on pumping the slurry. Fire pumps are not designed to pump anything but water. The tanks are square and you would have a hard time mixing your mulch. If you get it to work, most tanks only hold 500 gallons of water. A lot of truck for a small seeder.

Most used fire trucks are maintenance nightmares. They are selling them for a reason. I feel you will be better off with a real hydroseeder.

John

[NCSULandscaper]

Originally posted by lx665
I still don't understand how you plan on pumping the slurry. Fire pumps are not designed to pump anything but water. The tanks are square and you would have a hard time mixing your mulch. If you get it to work, most tanks only hold 500 gallons of water. A lot of truck for a small seeder.

Most used fire trucks are maintenance nightmares. They are selling them for a reason. I feel you will be better off with a real hydroseeder.

John

Not sure how you would get it to pump, i just wanted to know if it was possible or not since it was just an idea.

[diginahole]

Two contractors from my area come to mind when I read this thread. The first one is an electrical contractor who uses old fire trucks (f350 with service bodies) and the other is a guy called something like 'Doctor Interlock', he uses an old ambulance for his interlock repair biz. Good marketing IMO.

I don't know the first thing about Hydro seeders but from what others are saying it sounds like it may be easier to make a firetruck out of a hydroseeder than vice versa.

[Lanelle]