Alabama_Chris Posted October 8, 2023 Share Posted October 8, 2023 (edited) Hey all, new member here... I just picked up a 1984 CF686A Aerial Ladder truck. It runs great and "everything" seems to work. We are avid vehicle collectors, and have a large number of military vehicles, but couldn't resist this truck. I was a paramedic and firefighter from 1995 - 2010, so Ive always had an affinity for these, however I've never used one of these trucks... The paperwork indicates this is a L31R Aerial Ladder, and the title indicates the chassis is a CF686A. So I don't know the proper model nomenclature to search for on da googles. I have the service manuals for the powertrain, but im looking for support data for the body and ladder. such as: - Operators manuals, details to indicate proper safety limits (max angles, weights, height, positioning etc) - Repair information, and other technical details for hydraulics - Any other manuals document to provide details on proper care and usage. - Really any information on this type of truck. it looks like its missing something on the front of the ladder next to the monitor, and there is a cut cable near the base that goes to the front of the ladder.. Edit: I'm fairly certain the cut cable is for the monitor controls from the base to the ladder top. anyway, just digging in here.. found you guys.. Chris in Alabama. Edited October 8, 2023 by Alabama_Chris 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73396-just-picked-up-a-1984-cf686a-aerial-ladder-truck-looking-for-some-supportmaint-information/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
70mackMB Posted October 8, 2023 Share Posted October 8, 2023 Alabama Chris, Welcome to BMT There are a couple guys here that will jump in and bail you out. But until that time we need pictures the more the better. Everyone will agree, pictures pictures! .....Hippy Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73396-just-picked-up-a-1984-cf686a-aerial-ladder-truck-looking-for-some-supportmaint-information/#findComment-539882 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeH Posted October 8, 2023 Share Posted October 8, 2023 No pictures no help! (Kidding... but seriously...) Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73396-just-picked-up-a-1984-cf686a-aerial-ladder-truck-looking-for-some-supportmaint-information/#findComment-539893 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Alabama_Chris Posted October 8, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted October 8, 2023 (edited) attached a wide view of the truck, note that we have redacted the lettering per agreement of the previous owner.. getting more detailed pics of the areas of concern in a bit. Edited October 8, 2023 by Alabama_Chris Fixed typos 4 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73396-just-picked-up-a-1984-cf686a-aerial-ladder-truck-looking-for-some-supportmaint-information/#findComment-539894 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alabama_Chris Posted October 8, 2023 Author Share Posted October 8, 2023 6 minutes ago, JoeH said: No pictures no help! (Kidding... but seriously...) yep agreed.. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73396-just-picked-up-a-1984-cf686a-aerial-ladder-truck-looking-for-some-supportmaint-information/#findComment-539895 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alabama_Chris Posted October 8, 2023 Author Share Posted October 8, 2023 More pics looks like the monitor remote controls. Wondering what the guage that is missing looks like. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73396-just-picked-up-a-1984-cf686a-aerial-ladder-truck-looking-for-some-supportmaint-information/#findComment-539898 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alabama_Chris Posted October 8, 2023 Author Share Posted October 8, 2023 Missing something on front of the ladder.. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73396-just-picked-up-a-1984-cf686a-aerial-ladder-truck-looking-for-some-supportmaint-information/#findComment-539899 Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjc transport Posted October 8, 2023 Share Posted October 8, 2023 some ladder trucks had a basket on the end of the ladder. Quote when you are up to your armpits in alligators, it is hard to remember you only came in to drain the swamp.. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73396-just-picked-up-a-1984-cf686a-aerial-ladder-truck-looking-for-some-supportmaint-information/#findComment-539901 Share on other sites More sharing options...
609albert Posted October 10, 2023 Share Posted October 10, 2023 looks like your rear mount ladder & body where not made by Mack but possibly Maxim Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73396-just-picked-up-a-1984-cf686a-aerial-ladder-truck-looking-for-some-supportmaint-information/#findComment-539946 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post GA_Dave Posted October 10, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted October 10, 2023 1984 Mack CF686FA-1566, 106' Ladder Towers, Inc. "Bulldog I" aerial, original to Marietta, GA and operated as Truck 4 most of its career there. I also photographed it in it's second home in Alabama, where it ran as Truck 31. 3 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73396-just-picked-up-a-1984-cf686a-aerial-ladder-truck-looking-for-some-supportmaint-information/#findComment-539951 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alabama_Chris Posted October 10, 2023 Author Share Posted October 10, 2023 Yea it now has a permanent home in our collection... Nice to know its provenance... Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73396-just-picked-up-a-1984-cf686a-aerial-ladder-truck-looking-for-some-supportmaint-information/#findComment-539952 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alabama_Chris Posted October 14, 2023 Author Share Posted October 14, 2023 (edited) We did some more testing and work today on the truck and was able to verify that the monitor gun motors, relays and controls work from the end of the ladder by putting 12 volt at the top control box. They do not work from the control point at the Base of the ladder.. The cable going down the ladder was cut off, so no power at all. Some pics for the next person who searches for it. Edited October 14, 2023 by Alabama_Chris Typos and clarification Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73396-just-picked-up-a-1984-cf686a-aerial-ladder-truck-looking-for-some-supportmaint-information/#findComment-540302 Share on other sites More sharing options...
1958 F.W.D. Posted October 20, 2023 Share Posted October 20, 2023 The aerial was a special product called "Bulldog 1" made specially for Mack by Ladder Towers, Inc. who is currently owned by the Spartan/REV group of Ephrata, Pa. You can try to give them a call or send an email to see what they have as far as manuals but I would not hold your breath. Not many of these were made for Mack. Quote TWO STROKES ARE FOR GARDEN TOOLS Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/73396-just-picked-up-a-1984-cf686a-aerial-ladder-truck-looking-for-some-supportmaint-information/#findComment-540708 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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