Fire brigade projects
Manual rear load for
4 hoses + 3-section rope-extension ladder with support legs
150 kg equipment
Manual rear load for
Deploy 150kg of equipment from the roof in seconds
Developed in collaboration with fire truck manufacturers, this system enables fire brigades to transport a heavy 3-section rope-extension ladder with support legs and two sets of hoses (2 x 2) on a single manual rear load carrier system. Deploy or stow the equipment effortlessly within seconds.
Initial requirements & challenges
Key challenges for this project included:
- Heavy total weight of equipment: 145kg.
- Ladder: 78.5 kg,
- Hoses: 16 kg each (4 hoses–> 64 kg total).
- Ladder length:
- Folded: 5.6 m,
- Fully extended: 14 m.
- Support legs:
- Increase the ladder width when folded.
- One-person deployment:
- The (un)loading system can be operated by a single firefighter.
PDE SOLUTION
Our engineers designed a safe, ergonomic, and efficient system to handle 150 kg of equipment using the adjustable-angle version of ErgoBack, our ergonomic rear load carrier.
Manual operation
Open and close the deployment system using the PDE-handle.
One-Person Ergonomic Handling
Minimises physical strain.
Adjustable angle of deployment
Enables easier access to heavy equipment.
Fast Equipment Access
Deploys in under 30 seconds.
Safe & Secure
One-hand opening (with or without gloves), quick-release mechanism, and secure locking system.
How to store 150 kg of ladders & hoses on a fire truck roof
Our system consists of 2 modules
+
ErgoBack Manual Rear Load Deployment System with adjustable angle
Includes
Technical specifications (project-specific):
- Roof-mounted hydraulic system with operational handle.
- Opens up to a 45° angle for easy access.
Technical specifications (project-specific):
- Operation: Manual.
- Length: 2.8 m, 3.2 m, 3.8 m, 4.4 m (custom sizes available).
- Adjustable angle: 15º to 45º.
- Weight: 40-80 kg (3.8 m version: 72 kg).
Inline compartment
For 3-section extension ladder + 2x2 hoses
Includes
Technical specifications (project-specific)
Other configurations
Contact us to discuss your configuration.
- Inline compartment for the long and heavy 3-section extension ladder.
- Dedicated storage for 2×2 hoses (1.6 m each, stacked behind each other).
- Patent-pending quick-release handle for effortless access.
- Integrated stoppers to prevent equipment from shifting or falling when the compartment is opened.
Technical specifications (project-specific)
- Length: 5.5 m.
- Width: 520 mm.
- Weight: 85 kg.
Other configurations
- Ladder-only storage,
- Hose-only storage,
- Dual-layer compartments – stacked (hoses below, ladder above),
- Custom lengths & widths based on equipment requirements,
- Weight range: 30–85 kg.
Contact us to discuss your configuration.
Manufacturing & build
- Material: High-grade aerospace aluminium.
- Structure: Bolted extrusion profiles (no welding) – ensures durability & modularity.
- Designed & manufactured: In the EU.
- Production & delivery:From PDE factory, Sofia.