Help with Brush Fire Water Rig

[johns_dmax]

I don't have the time to try to fab up something so I'm looking at the 500 gallon Kiser Water Wagon. I'll use it watering our riding arena, landscaping needs, and fire control if needed. We had a major fire come up to our property line last summer and just a week ago we had one of our 4H moms start a fire while working on her truck. Both were to close for comfort. The price is a bit steep, $5700 shipped to OKC, but we have the funds and the need. That price included the quick fill and fire hose option and is off road one axle.
Here's a link to Kiser's site for more info http://www.abiequine.com/products/water-wagons/500-1000-1600-water-wagon.html

 

[RFB]

Try to use pumps that will provide 100psi at the nozzle.

Most combination (fog/straight stream) nozzles function optimally at that pressure.

The friction loss for 30 gpm through 100 feet of 1 inch hose is roughly 13 to 14 psi, so you will need a pump capable of 114 psi to obtain 30 gpm at the nozzle.

Alternatively, if you go with 1.5 inch hose, you will be flowing about 90 gpm. Think of how long you will have to drain a 250 gallon tank at that rate. I am not saying it cannot be done, but in most things, people do not rise to the occasion. Instead, they default to their highest level of training. I would rather give a well intentioned but less trained person almost 9 minutes of water rather than 2.7 minutes.

 

[RFB]

That looks like a nice system. I would downsize the firehose to 1" rather 2 inch and make it 100 feet long. You have no friction loss issues with 100' or less of hose, and the pump is capable of 140gpm at 40 psi. If you reduce your gpm (going to smaller diameter hose and nozzle) you will increase the nozzle working pressure which provides better performance for fire nozzles. (100psi desired)

The added length of hose gives you a little better standoff; you won't need to pull so close to the fire before getting out and fighting it. It be hot.

I don't have the time to try to fab up something so I'm looking at the 500 gallon Kiser Water Wagon. I'll use it watering our riding arena, landscaping needs, and fire control if needed. We had a major fire come up to our property line last summer and just a week ago we had one of our 4H moms start a fire while working on her truck. Both were to close for comfort. The price is a bit steep, $5700 shipped to OKC, but we have the funds and the need. That price included the quick fill and fire hose option and is off road one axle.
Here's a link to Kiser's site for more info http://www.abiequine.com/products/water-wagons/500-1000-1600-water-wagon.html

http://www.abiequine.com/products/water-wagons/500-1000-1600-water-wagon.html

 

[CBW1999]

A lot of good information and ideas here. never had heard of dish detergent in place of class A- think I'll give it a try.

I have a couple of considerations for my own set up based on my health. I used to run a couple of 2.5 gallon pump/air sprayers with water to use when burning off the field. I have some older "Indian tanks" but don't want to lug those around.

I've tinkered with a compressed air design using an air tank and separate, larger tank for the water. This I would mount to the tractor with a shorter length of hose and a short line I could operate from the tractor seat. Although not a true CAFS set up, it should help extend the water supply.

I don't have the same consideration of fire control as listed by others but, I use this to "control" burn my property. My exposures are limited and I am able to drive around as needed- including away, if safety becomes an issue.

 

[idaho2]

Sounds like a few of you have a real fire hazards due to drought. I think you have more of a need than I do. I have a fire truck that I'm willing to part with. It's a pumper/tanker with a 1000 gallon tank. PM me if this is of interest.

idaho2

 

[johns_dmax]

Thanks for the input. I'll see if there's an option to change the hose lenght and size from the factory and if not change it out once at home.
I'd rather stay as far from a wildfire as I can.

 

[RFB]

With the correct manpower deployment, equipment, terrain, tactics, weather and fuel load, it is not unusual to fight it with "one foot in the black". Notice the previous qualifications.

Also, its not just about how close you fight it, its about how fast it can approach you while you are readying to fight it. It would really be disappointing to pull up 25 feet away (because you have a 25' hose) and then have the wind shift and next thing you know is Uh Oh!

100 feet is not much, but its a little better than 25' in order to approach, park, start the pump (something I would do prior to engaging), flake the hose, charge the line and start fighting.

6 inches of grass can produce 6 feet of flame. It can make for an interesting day. Stay away from midslope fires, stay away from saddles, ridgelines and chimneys.
Don't go downslope to fight a fire. Find a good anchor point (where the fire cannot wrap around and outflank you) and then work the flank of the fire.

Also get yourself a shake and bake (fire shelter). If you get over-run, even jumping inside of a cab tractor or vehicle with windows up can still be fatal.

If its coming for your house like a runaway train, get inside, close the windows, pull the drapes away from the windows, get to the lee side of the house and stay inside. This type of over-run will storm over the house, consume most of the exposed vegetation, and maybe ignite parts of the house, but you will be safe after it blows over. Then you can go back out and try to extinguish your house with water that would have been ineffective trying to stop the train.

And the answer is yes; many times, over decades.

Thanks for the input. I'll see if there's an option to change the hose lenght and size from the factory and if not change it out once at home.
I'd rather stay as far from a wildfire as I can.

 

[gabby]

I bolted two 275 gallon totes on a 4' x 8' treated plywood pallet and connected them with pvc piping to a hydraulic motor pump. The pump is bolted to the pallet and it's controlled through the tractor remote valve. PVC valves direct the water to a hand hose or to right, center or left soaker nozzles.

The hydraulic pump is quiet and pumps about 100 gpm at low to medium engine rpm.

It's not pretty but it works well and it has many uses.

 

[edlegault]

Consider modern fire fighting foam. There are systems for home/farm use. Cartridge-type foam dispensers which attach to the end of the hose in place of the nozzle. Just "google" home foam fire fighting equipment.

I would have trailer mounted 200-300 gallon water tanks with pump(s), Two sets of 100 feet of 1" hose with both nozzle and foam capability. Beware -- A few hundred gallons of water will go FAST.

 

[boggen]

have you consider just getting a chipper/shredder? vs burning?


part of my arsenal, is a "bush broom" a 1 to 2 feet wide, and has tons of bristles in it. to smoother fire out.

if you have lake, and trash pump. consider setting up a permanent setup. that has a strainer, check valves (for priming pump and line), and quick disconnect. so you can just drive up, connect inlet on gas trash pump to quick connect at lake side, to fill up tank. vs trying to deal with getting hose out into water /lake ((time consuming)) for priming pump/hose. use a reducer to go up to 4", to act like a funnel, so it easier to use 5 gallon bucket. to pour water into the hoses.

have been tempted to buy a cheap trailer. and toss say a 400 to 500 gallon flat bottom tank on it. and strap a gas trash pump on to it.