Fire Engines Photos

Very popular configuration for new turntable ladder deliveries, with five sections including an articulated top one and a three person capacity cage with a monitor and an added valved delivery for attack hoses as well. The five section ladder helps keep the overall vehicle length and wheelbase relatively compact for better maneuverability, and many units are also being delivered on chassis with single rear wheels which are fully steered and can be very helpful too.



Added by Rob Johnson on 21 April 2026.

I wonder what does "DLK 23-12" stand for? My city has some Magirus DLK 37, 52, and 23-12, and I know it is articulated ladder but I can't really figure out what does the number "23-12" stands for.

Added by Alba Ho on 27 April 2026.

The DL means turntable ladder. K stands for cage or basket, while the 23 represents the extended total length of the four non articulated sections and the 12 represents the length of the articulated top section. Combined the vertical reach is actually around 32 metres, while the angled reach is around 10, regardless of how far the fixed sections are extended. This type of ladder is now very popular all over the world except for the Americas, where it just does not seem to have caught on at all.

Added by Rob Johnson on 27 April 2026.

DLK 23/12 is a German norm meaning 23m height with 12m overhang from the building
DL = TTL
DLK = TTL with basket
DL(A)K = TTL with tilting basket

Added by Jacques Peter on 27 April 2026.

Many thanks to both of you! Articulated ladders are not very popular here in China, probably because the Magirus multistar and articulated ladders such as Rifford imported here are not as reliable as other American or European brands ladders. Chinese firetruck manufacturers such as XCMG and SANY has already made many ladders too, but none of them are articulated. Instead, I think Chinese fire departments are more interested in aerial platforms and high rise extendable turrets, which are more flexible than ladders.

Added by Alba Ho on 29 April 2026.

Alba - I am under the impression that costs have a lot to do with the preference for ladders in many countries. Now that articulated ladders with baskets are commonplace, most fire services seem to prefer them to the more expensive platforms, which - as you mention - have in some cases proven difficult and more costly to maintain too. I would note that this is very much the case in the US as well, as the tower ladder with cage ( and usually pump too ) is very popular because of its versatility, though none of these are articulated.

Added by Rob Johnson on 30 April 2026.

Dear Rob, thanks for your reply again! Firetruck performance is surely deeply connected to the cost, but maintenance time and parts supply matter too. Sometimes European spare parts need months to come here, and some problems take more time to solve. That's one of the reasons why we are now using locally made products to replace old fully imported trucks. However, many European and American firetrucks are still in good condition and play pivotal roles in the brigade, such as Rosenbauer AT3, Bronto platforms, and Oshkosh pumpers.

Added by Alba Ho on 06 May 2026.

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