2017 Smeal Aerial problems, complaints & recalls
Safety recalls (3)
Equipment:mechanical:boom/Crane/Ladder 2021-01-28 · campaign 21V029000 · 343 vehicles
Defect: Smeal Holding, LLC (Smeal) is recalling certain 2009-2020 Aerial Fire Apparatus vehicles equipped with a positional waterway trolley. If the operator attempts to both extend the ladder, and shift from one mode to the other at the same time, the locking tabs can be broken off the locking arms.
Risk: A damaged positional waterway trolley can become disconnected from the ladder and drop to the ground, increasing the risk of injury or death.
Fix: Smeal will notify owners, and dealers will adjust the proximity switches for those units equipped with a positional waterway mode shift timer interlock system, free of charge. The recall began on March 25, 2021. Owners may contact Smeal customer service at 1-800-867-6478.
Equipment 2017-11-16 · campaign 17V721000 · 20 vehicles
Defect: Smeal Holding LLC (Smeal) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Aerial and Pumper Fire Apparatus vehicles, equipped with Hale pressure relief valves in the water pumps used for fire fighting. Rings securing the valves may corrode over time after exposure to water, causing the ring to fail and the pressure relief valve to open, reducing the water pressure available for fire fighting.
Risk: A reduction in water pressure may hinder fire fighting efforts, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Smeal will notify owners, and Hale service providers will install a remedy kit, free of charge. The recall began on December 11, 2017. Owners may contact Smeal customer service at 1-800-543-5008 or Hale customer service at 1-800-533-3569. Smeal's number for this recall is 17028.
Structure:frame And Members 2017-10-16 · campaign 17V656000 · 74 vehicles
Defect: Smeal Holding, Inc. (Smeal) is recalling certain 2010-2017 Aerial Fire Apparatus vehicles. The torque frame may crack at the notched area.
Risk: A cracked frame may cause the aerial device to be unstable, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Smeal will notify owners, and dealers will repair the cracks and add a reinforcement, free of charge. The recall began on December 8, 2017. Owners may contact Smeal customer service at 1-800-543-5008. Smeal's number for this recall is 17024.
Service bulletins (2)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure 2024-01-30 · TSB24-600-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin is about certain vehicles equipped with a rear mounted aerial, that could experience the bolts that fasten the torque frame to some outrigger and frame rail locations may fail. as well as instructions on inspecting and measuring gaps between torque box mounting plates and frame
Power Train 2023-08-04 · TSB23-990-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin is about potential for a crack or broken fasteners of the rearward pump transmision mounts and provides instructions on installing improved pump transmission mounting plates and gussets.
What owners report
No detailed complaint narratives on file.
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.