2011 Kme Aerialcat problems

What is wrong

Kovatch mobile equipment corporation (kme) is recalling certain model year 2003 through 2011 aerialcat model fire trucks equipped with an aerial bucket that is operated with electronic controls and a turntable that has hydraulic controls. On these vehicles, upon activation of the dead man’s switch on the turntable, the ladder may unexpectedly move.

Risk

If the ladder unexpectedly moves, the operator can lose control of the bucket location, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Kme will notify owners, and dealers will repair the trucks free of charge. The safety recall began on april 10, 2012. Owners may contact kovatch mobile equipment corporation at 1‑570‑669‑5154.

Recall number 12V027000 · Recall details

On August 16th 2011 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE11-027) on Kovatch Mobile Equipment (KME) Aerial Cat 2003 - 2011 Fire trucks concerning an alleged failure related to a fire truck's aerial ladder.The electronic-over-hydraulic controller that is used to move the aerial bucket fails, causing an unintended movement of the aerial device on certain KME aerial ladder/platform trucks.This unintended movement of the aerial ladder bucket constitutes an unreasonable risk to safety as the movement may occur in an unintended direction possibly near electrical power lines, structures, or a fire.The manufacturer will conduct a safety recall.The remedy KME will implement updates the software for the controller, including a triple redundancy system.One of the systems disables all platform aerial movement controls immediately upon actuation of the dead man's switch at the turntable.This PE is closed with a Safety Recall (12V‑027).The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference under the following identification (ODI) number: 10418106

PE11027