The Brigade currently operates two appliances. These have the callsigns Montacute 24 (two-four) and Montacute 14 (one four).
Montacute 24 is a Hino FT3W Super Kestrel 4WD vehicle, powered by a 6.0 litre six-cylinder inline diesel engine with a six-speed manual transmission. It carries 2000 litres of water, and hence the callsign Montacute 24 ( 2 000 litre, 4 wheel drive). All SA CFS vehicles are named in this way. The vehicle seats a crew of six, three in the front cabin and three in the crew protection cabin on the rear of the appliance.
The appliance is equipped with a GAAM Mk 3000D 2-stage centrifugal pump driven by a Hatz 1.7 litre air cooled diesel motor. The pump discharges to two 64 millimetre outlets, two charged lines on reels (30 metres of 25 millimetre diameter and 60 metres of 19 millimetre diameter), a front mounted spray bar, and also two short charged lines for crew protection. Also fitted is a foam proportioning system capable of discharging AFFF light water foam or BFFF Fire Break bush-fire fighting foam.
Montacute 24 carries a Rural 2 stowage kit which is the base standard for all SA CFS appliances. This consists of basic firefighting equipment such as canvas lines, branches, a standpipe, rakehoes and hand tools, knapsacks, a driptorch, fire extinguishers, ropes, a first aid kit, torches, road cones, a chainsaw, toolkit and an extension ladder. This appliance was aquired in 1996 and should not need to be replaced until 2016.
Montacute 14 is a Toyota HZJ 75 Landcruiser 4WD vehicle, powered by a 4.2 litre six-cylinder inline diesel engine with a five-speed manual transmission. Although it only carries 450 litres of water, it is still classed as a 14 (for 1 000 litre, 4 wheel drive). It makes up for its limited "firepower" with its higher speed and small size that enables it to traverse more inaccessible terrain."
Montacute 14 is equipped with a Honda G 200 petrol engine driving a NS 45A Hatsuta high pressure spray pump. The pump feeds 180 metres of 9.5 millimetre diameter high pressure hose. Although only of small capacity, this hose length is extremely useful for reaching up or down steep inaccessible hillsides (but somewhat of a task to wind back up!) The vehicle also has a second pump - a Davey 93106-0 powered by a Honda GX 160 petrol motor, which discharges to 30 metres of 13 millimetre line or a 25 millimetre outlet for use when more greater flow is required. There is an additional short length of charged line for crew protection.
Montacute 14 carries a small stowage kit consisting of basic tools, a chainsaw, knapsack, rakehoes and hand tools, a first aid kit, a torch and fire extinguishers. This appliance is currently on a vehicle replacement programme. The tray and equipment are retained and fitted to a new cab chasis every two years. The cab chasis has recently been replaced with a vehicle of identical specifications.
Since it's inception in 1942, the Brigade has operated a number of appliances. These are listed below.
This appliance was the previous Montacute 14 before the arrival of the current appliance. It was a 4WD vehicle powered by a 4.2 litre six-cylinder petrol engine with a four-speed manual transmission. It had the same Honda G 200 petrol motor and NS 45A Hatsuta pump combination as the current Montacute 14 appliance, but did not have the second pump. Although the cab-chasis was purchased for A$8117 in 1982, much of the vehicle was designed and built by Mr. B.J. Trebilcock, a local resident and Brigade member, so the final cost of the vehicle is difficult to judge. Much of the equipment from this vehicle, which was retired in 1996, went onto the current Montacute 14 appliance.
This appliance was the previous Montacute 24 before its replacement in 1996. It was a 4WD powered by a 5.0 litre V8 petrol engine coupled to a four-speed manual transmission. The appliance was constructed by a local firm, Carey Gully Engineering (now Australian Fire Company) and was fitted with a 1800 litre tank and a 9 hp Briggs and Stratton electric start petrol engine driving a GAAM Mk 100 pump. It underwent many changes during its service history, including the addition of a crew protection cab, and was eventually fittted with a Darley 1.5 AGE pump driven by an 18 hp Briggs and Stratton electric start petrol engine.
This appliance was commissioned into service on the 4th of March 1977 by Mr. Peter Malpas, Assistant Director of the then SA Emergency Fire Service (later that year to become the Country Fire Service).
This 4WD appliance was powered by a four-cylinder petrol motor and was originally purchased from the Norton Summit/Ashton Brigade for A$800 in 1972. Before that, the Norton Summit/Ashton Brigade purchased the vehicle second hand in 1964. The appliance had a 100 gallon tank (455 litres) and a NS 45A Hatsuta high pressure spray pump coupled to a C 45A Villiers petrol engine. The Villiers engine was later replaced by a Honda G 200 petrol engine. The Honda engine and Hatsuta spray pump combination still provide trouble free service today and are fitted to Montacute 14. The Land Rover was in service from 1972 to 1982.
The Cheverolet Blitz 4WD was an ex-Australian Army Ambulance, powered by a six-cylinder petrol engine. It was purchased in May 1957 for £ 110 and was built up by A.J. Stock Bodybuilders of Adelaide at a cost of £ 80. It had a Rex 10M petrol pump with a 400 gallon tank (1820 litres). It was in service from 1957 to 1986 and Brigade members fondly remember its ability to 'go anywhere'. During the Ash Wednesday II Bushfires in 1983, it sustained damage to its fuel system and was rareley used after that. It was sold in 1986 to a resident and Brigade member and still remains in the district.
Little is known about this appliance. It is believed to be circa 1924 and had a tare (unladen weight) of 13 cwt (660 kilograms). It was possibly the vehicle purchased from Mr. F. Ford in 1951 to tow the portable trailer pump, although this cannot be confirmed.
Once again, little is known about this appliance. The truck was actually owned by a resident, Mr. Eric Greene. It was equipped with knapsacks, a hand pump and hose, and a steel tank of approximately 1 cubic metre (or 1000 litres). Members brought along their own flat hoe when attending a fire.
