1938 Ahrens Fox HT Pumper
The
HT was Fox's last attempt to sell the piston pumper. Manufactured from
1937 to 1952, a total of 65 were produced.
With a four speed transmission, the truck
could run 65mph easily. Rated at 1000 gpm, departments routinely got
1300
gpm during pump tests. Our example is
unusual due to the single rear tires. It was the 25th unit off the
line,
serial number 3445. It also has a specially
ordered 6 volt Oldsmobile clock in the dashboard. In July
of 2009, the HT went home for a visit. On the way to Indianapolis for
the national SPAAMFAA muster we stopped
off and gave the active and retired
FFs in Sandusky a chance to see their old truck. We photographed
it in various
spots around town where it had been
photographed years ago- it was a great trip. The
truck is a blast to drive. It has lots of power and, with no muffler, a
great sound. Second gear is always
a challenge but it'll run 65 mph on
the radial tires we put on all day long. At the track they made us all
go slow,
but we did manage to zoom it up to 40
mph just after the photo was taken (that's Museum Founder Doug Klink behind the wheel).
We've also pumped it several times. It flowed about 800 gpm at 1000 rpm through a deluge set. We're going to try
it with a bigger tip next time- but we'll have to secure a larger water supply!
 Seated behind the mammoth engine and pump, the driver |  The HT crosses the finish line at the Indy 500 Speedway  |
 | At the 2010 SPAAMFAA Summer Muster, the HT is supplying water to the 1902 Femco Water Tower (in background). |
