ATV-Mounted Pump Ideal For Fighting Fires

ATV-Mounted Pump Ideal For Fighting Fires ATV'S ATV'S 25-1-8 Many farmers have discovered that it's futile to try to stop a fire in a tinder-dry cornfield with the one fire extinguisher they carry on the combine or tractor. At the same time, getting a fire truck into some areas on the farm is next to impossible. Eddie Paul has a better idea. His company, CFX, Inc., El Segundo, California, has married up new lightweight pumping technology with a 6 x 6 Polaris all-terrain-vehicle to come up with what they call the CFX FastAttack ATEV (all terrain emergency vehicle). At the heart of this system is a lightweight pumping unit that can move about 100 gal. of water per minute. In addition to the pump, there is a 75 gal. water tank and an on-board compressed air fire suppression foam system (CAFS) with 50 ft. of hose. Also included is a Honda 6 1/2 hp gasoline engine to power the CAFS. The CAFS can turn the 75 gal. of water into about 3,000 gal. of non-toxic, biodegradable long-lasting foam. "Not only does foam extinguish flames more efficiently than water alone, the moisture retention and cooling effect of foam also makes surrounding objects less susceptible to radiant heat combustion and flare-up after the fire is extinguished," Paul says. The pump is reversible, so it can pump in either direction to fill the CFX FastAttack water tank or directly from any water source. And since it requires no lubrication and is self priming, the pump can also be used to compress air to fill flat tires, etc. Other uses include frost protection (by foaming crops or gardens), cleaning buildings, equipment or livestock, and transferring large quantities of liquid, such as herbicide, from one vehicle to another. The complete FastAttack ATEV sells for around $30,000, depending on the options ordered on the ATV. Paul notes that a separate CAFS unit is available for about $8,500. It can be mounted in a pickup or on a trailer and pulled behind an ATV or small tractor. Other options include 12- or 24-volt motors to power the pump. Paul says some rural owners have been given discounts on their fire insurance after notifying insurance companies of their purchase. Rural and volunteer fire departments have been his biggest customers to date. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, CFX Inc., 150 Sierra St., El Segundo, Cal. 90245 (ph 310 322-8515); Web site: www.epindustries.com).

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