The strut systems fire departments carry on their rigs can be some of the most versatile pieces of equipment on the trucks. Struts can be used in a number of different rescue situations, and strut makers have refined their products to be used in variety of ways.
Mike Ulibarri, western regional sales manager for Paratech, says his company makes four types of strut systems: AcmeThread struts, LockStroke struts, LongShore struts, and HydraFusion struts. Ulibarri says the AcmeThread, LockStroke, and LongShore struts allow the user the ability to extend manually or pneumatically with air, carbon dioxide, or nitrogen, using a recessed nipple fitted to the aluminum tube. He notes that AcmeThread, LockStroke, and LongShore struts always default to the locked position.
- Strut Systems Revolutionize Vehicle Stabilization
- Stabilization Struts Come In Range of Materials And Designs
- Rescue 42, Inc. Releases New All-In-One Style Stabilization Strut
- Equipment for USAR, Structural Collapse, and Trench Rescue
- Building Collapse and Trench Rescue Present Unique Challenges
- Specialized Technical Rescue Equipment for Moving, Shoring, Crushing
AcmeThread struts (gray) come in sizes of 12 to 15 inches (retracted to extended maximum), 19 to 25 inches, 25 to 36 inches, 37 to 58 inches, and 56 to 88 inches. LockStroke struts are made in sizes of 19 to 25 inches, 25 to 36 inches, 36 to 57 inches, and 55 to 89 inches. Both types of struts can use Paratech strut extensions of 6, 12, 24, and 36 inches.
LongShore struts (gold) are made in sizes of 26 to 36 inches, 36 to 50 inches, 48 to 73 inches, 72 to 116 inches, 92 to 147 inches, and 114 to 198 inches. LongShore strut extensions of 12, 24, 48, and 67 inches can be attached to the strut on the solid end. Paratech also makes a LongShore adjustable brace in two sizes of 26-36 inch and 60-85 inch.
Ulibarri says that Paratech’s HydraFusion struts allow users to lift up to 10 US tons with a safety factor of 2:1 and to stabilize up to 20,000 pounds with a safety factor of 4:1. He notes that Paratech’s Dual Shaft End Adapter allows users to use LongShore LockStroke, or AcmeThread struts and extensions in conjunction with the HydraFusion strut’s lifting ability.
1 Paratech makes LongShore Rescue Struts in six different retracted/maximum extension lengths. (Photos 1-2 courtesy of Paratech.)
2 The Paratech AcmeThread Strut Drivers are made in five retracted/maximum extension lengths.
Randall Wells, rescue specialist for Holmatro, says the company makes the V-Strut vehicle stabilization strut with an integrated head, base plate, and tensioning belt with hook-and-ratchet mechanism. The V-Strut uses an auto-lock system, he says, that pulls out and locks automatically in one movement, so there is no separate operation required to lock the strut.
Holmatro has also introduced a new product called OmniShore that is one system comprising four different shoring sets. Wells says OmniShore has a basic vehicle and structural shoring set, an advanced vehicle and structural shoring set, a basic trench shoring set, and an advanced trench shoring set. He points out, “The way the OmniShore struts connect is very easy. All you have to do is push them together and they snap lock.”
Wells notes that all the sets also are available with OmniLock struts, which is a patented system that allows the user to monitor and operate struts from a safe distance through a Bluetooth connection, spending less time in the danger zone. OmniLock’s auto-follow function automatically follows a load in upward and downward motion, remaining mechanically locked at all times, he adds. “OmniLock also works seamlessly with Holmatro’s state-of-the-art wireless controller,” Wells says, “which lets the user remotely control and align multiple OmniLock struts simultaneously.”
3 Holmatro makes the V-Strut vehicle stabilization strut that uses an auto-lock system that pulls out automatically in one movement. (Photos 3-4 courtesy of Holmatro.)
4 Holmatro’s strut lineup shown in the extended position.
5 JYD Industries XTEND Rescue Struts in use on a vehicle on its side. (Photos 5-6 courtesy of JYD Industries.)
6 A firefighter adjusts a JYD Industries ZSTRUT Rescue Strut.
Steve Martin, lead instructor for JYD Industries, says the company makes XTEND Rescue Strut sets in heavy duty, medium duty, and small sizes, as well as ZSTRUT Rescue Struts. He notes that JYD’s XTEND Rescue Struts work on the tension buttress principle; are constructed with 4-gauge solid wall steel; and use Simpson ratchet and axle straps, as well as heavy-duty, stainless-steel, aircraft quality locking adjustment “T” pins for quick and secure deployment. “Our struts can allow a single firefighter to stabilize a vehicle faster, better, and often far more easily than a team of rescuers with a truck full of cribbing and connectors,” Martin points out.
The heavy duty XTEND struts have a retracted length of 51 inches and a maximum extension of 81 inches, while the medium and small XTEND struts are 39 inches retracted and 64 inches at maximum extension, and 27 inches retracted and 42 inches extended, respectively.
Martin says JYD’s ZSTRUT Rescue Struts work on the same principle as the XTEND struts but have a zip nut instead of a pin. The ZStrut Zipnut® technology makes adjustments during lifts simple because the collar rotates on the threaded rod to tighten the fit; to retract, the user simply pulls the collar up, he notes. The large ZSTRUT set includes two each of struts, witches hat point heads, 90-degree heads, pickets, and Simpson ratchet straps and axle straps. Retracted length is 51 inches and maximum extension is 81 inches.
ALAN M. PETRILLO is a Tucson, Arizona-based journalist, the author of three novels and five nonfiction books, and a member of the Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment Editorial Advisory Board. He served 22 years with the Verdoy (NY) Fire Department, including in the position of chief.
