August 28, 2025
McAdoo Fire Company recently turned to Bulldog’s refurbishment team to extend the life of their 2003 KME Aerial Cat ladder truck. Rather than investing in a new apparatus, the department recognized Bulldog’s proven refurbishment capabilities and entrusted our team with updating and modernizing the vehicle. The result is a revitalized, mission-ready apparatus delivered at a fraction of the cost of replacement.
Key Refurb Highlights:
Cab Seating
- Replace driver, officer, rear-facing, and center forward-facing seats with NFPA-compliant Bostrom SCBA or air-ride seats (black Durawear, Smart Dock brackets).
- Remove outboard flip-up forward-facing seats.
Cab Fabrication
- Prep/paint cab step wells, seat risers, and floors with black Line-X.
- Replace windshields, cab mirrors (Velvac 2025), floor switches, and fenderettes.
- Install aluminum treadplate floors and auxiliary cab steps.
Frame and Chassis Fabrication
- Clean, prep, and coat frame with POR15.
- Replace air tanks, fuel tank, rims (Alcoa), and tires (Goodyear).
- Service chassis, change fluids, and repair all leaks
- Replace front bumper with painted steel and Black Line-x trim on top edge.
Electrical Upgrades
- Install new camera system, LED interior dome, compartment, brow, scene, ground, and step lights.
- Replace headlights, siren (Q2B), Opticom, cab door flashers, power/USB ports, chargers, and pump panel lighting.
- A new Federal Signal pedestal mounted Q2B siren will be provided and installed with a chrome finish
- Service generator, check reels, remove unused receptacles.
Warning Light and DOT light upgrades
- Replace turn signals, light bars, warning lights, rotators, DOT lights, and rear body lights with Whelen LED models.
Body Fabrication
- Replace fenderettes, diamond plate, gas shocks, hosebed tarp, and add LED mudflap.
Plumbing Upgrades and modifications
- Service pump, plug foam tank, rebuild valves, remove rear air valve.
Aerial Device Upgrades
- All hydraulic hoses or system leaks were repaired.
- Installed an Amdor Lumabar LED ladder walkway lighting with colors Red, White, and Blue
- Fire Research Specta LED Scene Light replaced the quartz scene light.
- Task Force Tips Flex Model and nozzle replaced the old aerial monitor and nozzle.
- Existing aerial intercom system replaced with a Fire Research three-way intercom station model.
- Fabricate/install aluminum treadplate saw box; replace outrigger pads and turntable handrails. Polished all turntable surfaces
Paint
- Repaint cab/body using PPG products, compartment repaint with grey Line-X, and pump panels sprayed with black Line-X.
Graphics
- New graphics and lettering package to match current fleet; NFPA-compliant Scotch-lite Diamond Grade Chevron on rear body panel.
In- Process and Delivery Potos:
