A utility vehicle, in particular a firefighting vehicle, comprising an extendable aerial apparatus like a turnable ladder and/or an aerial rescue platform, a jacking system with lateral ground supports for jacking the vehicle body, and a stabilization mechanism for preventing tilting of the vehicle body in its jacked state. The stabilization mechanism includes a hydraulically operable rear axle blocking device for blocking the rear axle suspension of the vehicle. The stabilization mechanism further includes at least one hydraulically lockable shock absorber integrated into the front axle suspension of the vehicle. The rear axle blocking device and the hydraulically lockable shock absorber are controlled by a common hydraulic control to lock the hydraulically lockable shock absorber at the same time or with a delay after activating the rear axle blocking device.

A utility vehicle, in particular a firefighting vehicle, comprising an extendable aerial apparatus like a turnable ladder and/or an aerial rescue platform, a jacking system with lateral ground supports for jacking the vehicle body, and a stabilization mechanism for preventing tilting of the vehicle body in its jacked state. The stabilization mechanism includes a hydraulically operable rear axle blocking device for blocking the rear axle suspension of the vehicle. The stabilization mechanism further includes at least one hydraulically lockable shock absorber integrated into the front axle suspension of the vehicle. The rear axle blocking device and the hydraulically lockable shock absorber are controlled by a common hydraulic control to lock the hydraulically lockable shock absorber at the same time or with a delay after activating the rear axle blocking device.

A fire apparatus includes a chassis, axles coupled to the chassis, a turntable rotatably coupled to the chassis, and an aerial ladder assembly pivotably coupled the turntable and including a ladder section. The ladder section includes a first base rail and a second base rail extending longitudinally, a plurality of ladder rungs extending between the first base rail and the second base rail, a top plate positioned above the first base rail, a series of lacing members coupled to the top plate and the first base rail, and a gusset plate coupled to the top plate and at least one of the lacing members.

A fire apparatus includes a chassis, axles coupled to the chassis, a turntable rotatably coupled to the chassis, and an aerial ladder assembly pivotably coupled the turntable and including a ladder section. The ladder section includes a first base rail and a second base rail extending longitudinally, a plurality of ladder rungs extending between the first base rail and the second base rail, a top plate positioned above the first base rail, a series of lacing members coupled to the top plate and the first base rail, and a gusset plate coupled to the top plate and at least one of the lacing members.

A telescopic ladder system includes a lower base configured to be connected to a ladder-supporting portion of a vehicle, and a ladder including a base section and a fly section operatively connected to the base section and slidable relative thereto. A supporting member is disposed at a distal end of the fly section. A security railing is connected to the distal end. The ladder has an attachment point for attaching a safety line thereto. The attachment point is disposed at one of the fly section, the supporting member and the security railing. A first actuator selectively sets an inclination angle of the ladder relative to the lower base. A second actuator selectively extends the ladder by sliding the fly section relative to the base section. A safety system and a method for securing an operator atop a vehicle or van are also contemplated.

A fire apparatus includes a chassis, a front axle coupled to the chassis, a rear axle coupled to the chassis, a ladder assembly coupled to the chassis, and a stability system. The stability system includes at least one of (i) a front downrigger coupled to the chassis, (ii) a rear downrigger coupled the chassis, or an outrigger coupled to the chassis. The stability system is controllable to facilitate leaning the fire apparatus at least two degrees relative to a ground surface while maintaining full operational capability of the ladder assembly.

A vehicle-mounted access system includes a fixed base structure including a plurality of track channels; a plurality of movable hinge carriages configured to move along the plurality of track channels; an inclinable access structure pivotably connected to the movable hinge points and connected to lifting masts by forward tension elements, lifting masts connected to the fixed base structure by rear tension elements and pivotably connected to the fixed base structure; an actuator connected between the movable hinge carriages and the fixed base structure, the actuator configured to move the movable hinge carriages to raise the distal end of the inclinable access structure via the forward tension elements, the lifting mast, and the rear tension elements.

A vehicle-mounted access system includes a fixed base structure including a plurality of track channels; a plurality of movable hinge carriages configured to move along the plurality of track channels; an inclinable access structure pivotably connected to the movable hinge points and connected to lifting masts by forward tension elements, lifting masts connected to the fixed base structure by rear tension elements and pivotably connected to the fixed base structure; an actuator connected between the movable hinge carriages and the fixed base structure, the actuator configured to move the movable hinge carriages to raise the distal end of the inclinable access structure via the forward tension elements, the lifting mast, and the rear tension elements.

A fire apparatus includes a chassis, a front axle coupled to the chassis, a rear axle coupled to the chassis, a ladder assembly coupled to the chassis, and a stability system. The stability system includes at least one of (i) a front downrigger coupled to the chassis or (ii) a rear downrigger coupled the chassis, and an outrigger coupled to the chassis. The at least one of (i) the front downrigger or (ii) the rear downrigger and the outrigger are extendable and retractable to facilitate leaning the fire apparatus at least two degrees relative to a ground surface while maintaining full operational capability of the ladder assembly.

A vehicle includes a chassis, an implement assembly coupled to the chassis, a stability system coupled to the chassis, and a control system. The stability system includes extendable components that selectively engage a ground surface. The control system is configured to control the stability system to level the vehicle and enable the stability system to lean the vehicle when an operational capability of the implement assembly is at a limit thereof while the vehicle is level to effectively improve the operational capability relative to when the vehicle is level.