Driving rear of tiller

[@fiend4mojitos]

A retired Boston Fire Lieutenant here. My 1st five years I was assigned in East Boston to Ladder Co. 21, a 1972 Maxim 100' tiller. The bouncing, squeaks and rattles are all too familiar. We didn't have power steering then. The tiller seat was on the floor; we learned to drive with our knees braced under the steering wheel to keep from banging our heads on the roof going over bumps.

[@normbrown3435]

Sitting there must have been a sight lol Did you go to the Big Chelsea fire 73?

[@fiend4mojitos]

I was appointed in 1978. But I remember the Chelsea Fire.

[@parkerkloss8793]

A salty brother

[@rickymccutcheon]

now that is fire truck manufacture u don't hear much anymore ,Maxim, they were built like tanks

[@southernfiremen2845]

Thank god we have a rear mount 😂😂

[@549BR]

This would be enough to make a tranquilizer nervous. Can you imagine the fear on your very first run down these narrow streets. Hats off to these people; money is well earned!

[@Keaton0801]

William Reuter sadly I don’t believe they get paid enough.

[@ArmEConDoesMinecraft]

Keaton0801 you are right. Firefighters do not get paid much. Same for police, and EMTs and Paramedics

[@stevenkelly9731]

Its both scary and exhilarating.Than it just got routine.

[@themooseisontheloose]

What money? It's the FDNY, the city doesn't pay them anything except bullshit.

[@David-wu7jj]

I agree

[@bretr9663]

I’ve had some tiller time in my career. Let me say the both the tractor driver and the tillerman have some MAD SKILLS!

[@stevegiu4232]

He's a first time tillerman...?

[@susanallen2678]

Wow, those are some narrow streets. Good job tillerman.

[@stevenkelly9731]

Susan Leingang its fun

[@susanallen2678]

I think I would have to find the squeak and fix it.

[@stevenkelly9731]

Susan Leingang most trucks I have tillered squeaks like this one.

[@susanallen2678]

My father always said this was his favorite job. He retired a Deputy Chief.

[@arnoldarnold1034]

Susan Leingang thank your father for his service. ALSO how do we know the tiller driver wasn't a gal? ; )

[@mrcarlo1966]

When I was a kid I would stalk the local fire house(L151) and a fireman would let me sit up top of the American Lafrance they had at the time..”turn the opposite way” he would tell me.We never left the firehouse but when you r a kid and have a big imagination it wasn’t important. I can’t believe how tight some of those turns are,how poor the visibility is forward, and how much it rattles..these guys do a great job!Thank you.

[@Geoff_G]

Watching some videos of tiller trucks is cool but this one gives real perspective. What talent you have to drive that rig in such narrow streets. Great job, and thanks for posting the video.

[@ropinhorseman924]

Outstanding

[@jtsjc1]

Nice work in the wonderful world of Williamsburg. I worked that area for 20+ driving the phone company van and that was tough let alone a tiller. Now its impossible to drive there. Much respect men!

[@OntarioAndrew]

Don't worry Capt! Cosmo's got the caboose

[@littlejohhny42]

My father was a fireman here in Chicago. His last detail was as a tillerman on an old Hook & Ladder truck that had wooden ladders. When they went to aluminum, the truck became a little shorter, but his perch to steer hung over the end of the truck. When he looked straight down all you saw was pavement.

[@TabaquiJackal906]

DAMN. Such tight corners and so many vehicles right to the corners, too - absolutely astounding that either of these apparatus fit through any of that! Good work.

[@Mclint9171]

Gotta say that’s the coolest video I’ve seen this week. A view very few will ever get, but a true testament to the skill and training tiller crews go through.

[@ChrisandEileen]

Holy Hell.. and to think i thought the learning curve was big on our Pierce pumper.. I cringed at so many turns .. and noticed how many ppl just wouldnt get out of the hand.. Hats off to that tillerman ...

[@TheDrummie1]

That is an amazing skill, almost telepathic. What knowledge these tiller men must have of their fireground, to get behind the wheel of this truck and basically steer blindly to a fire. Totally amazing, as an ex- britsh fireman i would love to see one of these trucks close up. The driver and tillerman must be a very close team indeed. Keep safe brothers, repect.

[@brandonh5501]

TheDrummie1 i dont know why i didnt hear him talking but some tillerman and the drivers usually communicate through headsets while they are both operating the fire truck

[@popiscoolnow]

TheDrummie1 someone once told me that the firehouse in nyc with the tiller is one of the moat visited by fans

[@jackcarney3920]

TheDrummie1 Tiller man must focus on the gum ball machine (light or other device) on the center of the roof of the tractor. When it goes left, you turn right. Not quite blind, but it does require skill from both drivers.

[@SlipKnotSlayer66]

Im a volunteer fireman in a smaller town and I love being a firefighter because its a very humbling experience in my life, but to see how well these guys maneuver in these city streets really amazes me and also scares me to see how people don’t stop or move for them. Thank you for doing what other people can’t, and for all my fellow firefighters out there, stay safe guys.

[@TeamFish15]

Your first time tiller?? You’re a prodigy!! Unbelievably tight windows!

[@sharpy9997]

Great video. Tillers have always fascinated me. They are so manoeuvrable compared to a 3 axle with centre steer axle that we would have in the uk.

[@CountryBoyVA16]

I would have to find where that squeaking is coming from ASAP. Lol

[@Doophenschmirtz]

It’s most likely the air seat

[@robertdawson9114]

When you left the garage I ducked my head, not much room there.👍😁😎

[@youngnurse9994]

Awesome kudos to the front driver and the Tillerman for maneuvering those super narrow streets !!!!! WOW !!!! 🚒🚒🚒🚒🚒🚒 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@josecapablanca2351]

Awesome job brother. Always wanted to drive a tiller ladder. We don't have those down here at Miami Dade Fire Rescue. Retired in 2017 best job in the world. God Bless & be safe.

[@ZEZERBING]

I've been waiting for this perspective all my life! That was cool.

[@MtaBus5102]

Holy shit those are the the tightest streets i've ever seen an FDNY Apperatus go down.

[@Quadflash]

Tillerman job must take a long time to learn. Amazing skill.

[@SoapinTrucker]

I have mad respect for 1st responders, THANK YOU FOLKS, and God bless you all!!!!!!! 😎👍

[@owensweetland342]

Brooklyn. 104 Truck. Hats off to BOTH drivers.

[@MoonwolfeConsulting]

This job goes way beyond skill, its pure art!

[@LordLucariosLair]

It would be cool to see the tiller backing back into the station. The Tiller is definitely one of the best things firefighting has ever come out with.

[@banjopickerinadoublewide7613]

I never really knew this situation existed and I’m almost 50. I guess I can’t say I’ve seen many of these trucks around. As a retired truck driver I will say both drivers get my respect for working together so well. That doesn’t look easy.

[@thomasfrotton876]

Haven't been a fire fighter since 2004 but I still love to hear that Q GREAT job tiller guys

[@nunyabiz7021]

That's not a real Q, it's a fake electronic version that sounds like crap, lol.

[@robtman9199]

Amazing driving, would love to see the camera view from either side on the rear running boards, to see just how close he came to those objects in his way.

[@lathamarea1437]

you made it look easy, great driving skills by both drivers

[@WendyO420]

Wow can’t wait to watch these all with my Grandson!! Respect!

[@kevinhaley7687]

Absolutely amazing skilled Talent the tillerman has around those tight turns what an amazing Job

[@loisdonovan1716]

My dad was the tillerman in the 60s on ladder one. In the north end very. Narrow streets. Dad said if can tiller in Boston you can tiller anywhere.

[@markcurtiss4647]

Now that is beyond impressive. Great video.

[@Mister_MasterzRN]

Why somebody would give a thumbs down blows my mind? Lol it’s hard enough to drive a car through the streets of New York, let alone the rear of a fire engine . I believe that is New York 😅

[@ArmEConDoesMinecraft]

BurntFist yep it’s nyc

[@rodgiacoleetch6193]

BurntFist 9 losers! Great video! Stay safe brothers

[@MrRCGNL]

Why Thumbs Down? Because only an idiot chooses a tillertruck for a TTL AD 2018. In Europe we put a 32m (Working height) TTL on a standard 10.30m, 4.90m wheelbase Volvo 2x4 base; set up time 70secs Even the longest Rosenbauer TTL (Working height 64m!) is based on a 4x6 base of only 13.20m. Has nothing to do with NYC, difficult driving or whatever, but with typical American Impression Management.

[@ArmEConDoesMinecraft]

MrRCGNL this truck is actually more maneuverable than the ladder trucks you are describing even though it’s bigger. That’s why they choose this truck. Plus our ladders in america carry a lot more equipment than your ladders in Europe. Different firefighting equipment styles, that you can’t really compare to each other.

[@MrRCGNL]

Mathematical formulas support me when I say that your statement is B

[@mightymouseofnyc]

Thank you KZbin for putting this in my feed. That was so cool!! It takes a special set of kahunas to do that.

[@sheilaglavin9691]

God Bless and keep these men and women safe always!🇺🇸 especially the Martin Brothers! From your Philly cousin Sheila❤ Actually all my cousins who are New York fire fighters.....D. Bellew and his DAD, Dan, P. Connolly, and his DAD, R. Martin and his son, R. Martin, and my nephew, E. Fox! Hope I did not forget anyone!🇺🇸 GOD BLESS ALL AND KEEP THEM SAFE!❤

[@emeraldzebra9360]

That siren wail is so satisfying but there were alot of stops (obvious reasons) considering this is a emergency vehicle

[@nightfury8440]

No one knows how to drive in NYC

[@sirwiesheifu3585]

If you want to find videos of it, it's called the ''screaming q'' .

[@emeraldzebra9360]

@@sirwiesheifu3585 oh I know, I was looking at buying one here in the UK. They are a few thousand pound here. ($1-£0.75 average)

[@sirwiesheifu3585]

@@emeraldzebra9360 oh thats a lot

[@jasonnoteboom4489]

Wow. You're really having to thread the needle. It's amazing how something that big can be maneuvered in such packed in places. Thanks for sharing.

[@EnjoyFirefighting]

a more compact chassis would be a solution as well, but probably not an option in the USA :D

[@UkrainianBazooka]

Everybodys gangster till the most commanding truck in NYC is coming at you from the wrong way of a one way street.

[@thephantomeagle2]

I have to assume that those pipes that are hanging from the ceiling along the walls, at the start of the video in the station, are for exhaust. That way you can run trucks indoors in the winter for maintenance checks.

[@KatTheFoxtaur]

Indeed! Even moreso than just for maintenance, it allows them to start the trucks and get ready with it idling, rather than having to pull outside first. The exhaust hoses are actually connected right onto the vehicle's exhaust pipes, and they slide off as the truck pulls away. Notice when the truck on the right pulls out, the hose is on a track system, and then falls off the truck as it's pulling out.

[@thephantomeagle2]

@@KatTheFoxtaur In Michigan, and other northern states that get cold cold winters, I'm sure that they also use them to have trucks running when it's well below zero. They may just run them for a while every day to make sure that the gas lines don't freeze up, especially if they're diesel.

[@axysdnyd]

Oh hell no!!! There's no chance I'd ever even consider driving something like that in NYC!!! Damn that's some NARROW places to navigate!! Much respect for the drivers!!

[@EnjoyFirefighting]

narrow? I guess we have a different imagination of narrow streets :D Those which are narrow in my mind are too narrow for a compact 100' Tower Ladder with all-wheel steering to fit in

[@chrislaf89]

Not quite all wheel steering, the back wheels on the tractor don't turn, or do they?

[@EnjoyFirefighting]

Antal M I am not talking about the Tiller Ladders, but the trucks some departments over here have. Those are often trucks with 2 axles and yes they do have all-wheel steering. They can steer with both the front and rear axle at the same time, either for a tighter turning radius or to drive sideways, and they can also use only the front axle or the rear axle to steer: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIObd2WrqdKhbtk

[@InLoveWithCities]

In many european cities these streets would qualify as decently wide.

[@bohemoth1]

As a former Auxiliary Fire Corps Captain in the FDNY I know that company is Engine Company 221 and Ladder 104 in Williamsburg Brooklyn. They went under the Williamsburg Bridge. I was looking for the 35 Battalion and Ladder 119.

[@gagelinder2150]

Good job dirveing the tiller

[@truckerray7533]

Squeek squeek, bouncy bouncy, bumpity bump bump. . . . . ."WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. . . . . .WOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!"

[@jerrykennedy120]

MY Dad did this job for many years. Great to see his view of things.

[@cpo87]

That turn with the divider🔥🔥

[@lemonshuh6340]

This is some incredible work. However, I think this video just goes to show how useful a tiller is. Imagine being the chauffer of one of the 95' Aerialscopes and trying to maneuver through those streets...

[@CousinBri]

Lemons Huh the 95” Aerialscope is my regular rig. Just detailed to the tiller rig for the one tour.

[@lemonshuh6340]

God bless your chauffers hahaha

[@Brian_P]

Good video but it'd be better for the camera to be behind the driver to see the steering input

[@GC-rf2st]

All of the driving jobs I’ve done involved being able to see where you are going, this just crazy, give the Tillerman a medal and ask them what are next weeks winning lottery numbers as they must be able to see into the future!

[@walderlj45able]

Man you drive that baby I don't see how you do it I live in Dallas and we have several tillers at our stations and they practice at a shopping center where I live driving and backing great job at both departments

[@truculenttabasco]

Those sirens sound like cats fighting, lol

[@medic12961]

Some tight corners to navigate there awesome job sir

[@yannisgouras4482]

As a truck driver I think I would have a blast driving one of those

[@cartman4885]

Man that was amazing my heart is racing great job........

[@cassidybb10]

Very interesting! Where I live Akron ohio we are taught as drivers to move to the right and let emergency vehicles get through. But it's so tight and dense there. And you literally had to wait for traffic to get through and have the right of way so that you can get through. The siren too much slower than here. But I bet that helps with the pace of driving. Old adage "slow and steady wins the race" thanks for sharing. Can you share how driving that rear end works? Again we don't have this style of truck here I'm Akron. All straight trucks. Thanks for sharing and serving the city.

[@samcarbon5290]

The only tiller Akron,Oh. Had was a 1950s Pirsch tiller Ladder 1,was sooo cool

[@edball4906]

VERY INTERESTING!WHERE|LIVEAKRONOHIOWEARE TAUGHTAS

[@bradlund3752]

The tiller man has the best view of the city of New York.

[@owensweetland342]

Great video!👍🤙

[@bobsmiley6255]

These rear drivers don’t get the respect they deserve, they make it look easy.

[@tom98250]

Tight! Pretty sure I'd have that tiller wadded into a ball, after about the first two blocks!

[@ronbechtel6725]

That’s some impressive stuff. I’ve driven all kinds of rigs but never the chance to drive a tiller.

[@MikeT-TheRetiredColonel]

Did damn good if you ask me - awesome video!

[@leniszameit]

its takes special lessons to do this job.saw the lafd lessons here on youtube.unknown if still there.i think this newbie did great.

[@josephbennett3482]

It doesn't really take any special training , all they're taught is how to navigate through a maze in various ways then they have to reverse drive to be able to back the truck up out of a spot along with backing into the station. It's not that difficult to operate a tiller , all you do is steer in the opposite direction of the way the front cab is going then as the rear swings around you straighten the wheels out , the only difference is that the driving is done at speed and fast reflexes are important when operating those types of trucks cause one bad move and someone will get hurt and you would also damage the truck too.

[@slammer3140]

First time driving the rear of a tiller and you add the task of going the wrong way on a narrow street. Balls of steel !!

[@hrstang001]

One hell of a bumpy road good job

[@jasonharper2601]

really bumpy hot to wear the drier out after a while with back injuries. great driving skills

[@simonsupersi2225]

Wow you cant see anything .what info does the driver give you if any?

[@stevenkelly9731]

Head sets to talk...or beeps with the buzzer.1 beep= stop, 2 beeps= go coward, 3 beeps = backup.

[@azul8811]

@@stevenkelly9731 Since when does the FDNY have headsets in their rigs? Are you saying that the chauffeur & tillerman wear headsets as they respond?

[@CortezBurt]

And back before the trucks got hydraulic Outriggers,5 beeps were meant for jackknife to position the truck so they could use the aerial ladder.

[@azul8811]

@@CortezBurt Well, IDK if that was done anywhere else, but that certainly was not the case in NYC. IDK how much room you'd have in order to jackknife a rig on a NYC side street! Also they only used 1, 2, or 3 beeps. BTW, the hydraulic outriggers on FDNY tiller rigs were not in use until the late 1980's to the best of my recollection. Prior to that they were manual. And you also had to set the height of the threaded jacks by hand after you pulled out the outrigger. There were plates you were suppose to place under the jacks and you had to chock the wheels, as well. It was important to keep the outriggers well lubricated. There was a white colored grease called something like Lubriplate that was used.

[@rossdickens]

From the looks of the video, it's like driving across plowed ground.

[@ship-west176]

When they clip a car, whose insurance goes up, driver or tiller?

[@parsia1363]

Wow! Nice job tillerman, I know people who can't drive this route even with a freaking bicycle without hitting curbs and cars.

[@richardbedard1245]

I don't believe that I could get my Dodge Neon through some of those streets!

[@counterfit5]

There are still Neons that run?

[@adrianacardenasrodriguez5299]

Sru

[@ropinhorseman924]

Great driving!!!!

[@erickaegi629]

Job well done between driver and tillerman.

[@robertross804]

thanks for the ride it so real from liberty ky

[@pdoutdoors7272]

That was some sweet manuvering!

[@kylieprovis9611]

COOL VIDEO ... THANKS FOR POSTING I DON'T THINK THAT WE HAVE ANY TILLER TRUCKS IN AUSTRALIA

[@loublockinger3043]

Wow tight turn I know I would have taken that car out!! I really probably wasn't supposed to be that close to the corner lol

[@ph11p3540]

This actually looks like a lot of fun being a tiller man, except during a raging blizzard or winter wind storm.

[@michaelz7683]

Well the tillerman is fully enclosed now

[@danielfurbush6977]

Amazing job by both drivers. Extremely tight roads and very bumpy

[@judis.1810]

Damn good driving thru those treacherous narrow streets in NY.

[@SensiSam42]

That last turn was awesome.

[@290usmc]

Outstanding driving!

[@frankgrimesification]

Great job, Kramer!

[@tracynshea1333]

Tillerman is probably the hardest job in the department! Js

[@juiloportez4283]

wow very impressive job by the front and rear drivers here those were some tight streets

[@ismaildvtlb]

man how do you go through that narrow streets with that tiller? great job. well done

[@stevenkelly9731]

Easy...don't look down unless its a really sharp turn..keep the tiller bed aligned with the cab.It takes experience.

[@jimkeappock7558]

That ride could shake your kidneys loose!!

[@jelracer98]

Holy cow. You have to be awfully good to drive those streets

[@timothydewey4392]

Love 104 Truck!

[@jamesdillard3583]

I remember when I was living in North Portland Oregon and one of my friend was a firefighter from station 22 and he invented me to spend the a shift with him and he was driving this and he let me ride with him and it was fun but scary because people don't get out there way.

[@johndonohue2168]

That’s what I call expert driving

[@cdarting91]

Did they go code 2 and forget to turn in the reds? Not a criticism just trying to figure out if I misunderstood something in the video. I work construction and every great once in a while I forget to turn off my amber’s when I get out of a work zone.

[@HFD51719]

W0W That was different Nice Job

[@TheFilmMixer101]

These drivers have alot of skill to maneuver shit like this

[@CharlesHuse]

Dallas Fire-Rescue has a couple of these trucks. One is kept downtown at Station 1.

[@Dorcas-m8m]

Ride along with tiller ladder 104 of FDNY

[@student71000]

That's good driving skills

[@rascalpup5237]

Nice driving though I think more people would have yeilded had the pumper actually turned their lights on lol

[@CaptainCrutch]

Oh what I’d give to be in that seat on an older truck! Open cab and maybe even no power steering... Tiller driving is fun enough these days, I can only imagine on an older rig...