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After some investigation it has been determined by Class 1, Hale and the Axmen that the Hale units beginning with serial number 07F are problematic  concerning the washers used to hold the impeller onto the drive shaft.  Apparently the vendor that supplies the washer substituted another product for the specification during those serial numbers.

We are trying to determine who has these units.  Our records indicate we have 55 of them out there. 

There have been multiple failures with the questionable washer.  The outward indication of this failure is a pump unit that outright fails and will no longer fight fire.  The impeller will be pushed outward against the discharge volute and will drag until galling and seizing.  This condition could leave a firefighter in harm’s way. 

Class 1 and Hale have been very good to us in replacing defective parts to date.  They are being proactive, having determined the situation and the series that is affected, and want our help defining these units for retrofit.  We request that you find out who our cooperators are that are using 07F serial numbers and whether they have been retrofitted already (a number of them have been) or if they are still running factory deficient parts.  We want this to occur before engaging in a fire season that has potential for long hours on our equipment.  Time is not our friend.

If you have a pump whose serial number begins with 07F or have a cooperator who does, please send them this information and let us know so we can arrange for a retrofit.

We have parts on order from Class 1 in Ocala, Florida and they are two-day freighting them to us.  We expect to have them in hand Monday July 26 or Tuesday July 27.   We can assist you with mechanics and tools out on the road or send you parts to facilitate the repairs.  Each unit needs documentation of a repair having been done including serial number.  If you have documented those that have already been done, please include that information in your copies to us here at the EDC.  If you do not have documentation, we need to repair it again and document it.  The repair will consist of replacing the bolt, washer and woodruff key that hold the impeller to the shaft.  I have attached a .pdf from Hale explaining the procedures.  If you wish, and are choosing to do your own repairs, we have built a piston stop that  we can send you that will eliminate the need to remove the discharge volute. 

Please call me or Todd if you have any questions or concerns about this matter.

Rich Rose

Equipment Development Center

Missoula, MT

406-542-4272

406-370-9207 (c)

rrose@mt.gov