Argocat vehicle demonstrated by Surrey Fire Brigade

Feb. 26 The Go-Anywhere Argocat To Help Surrey Firefighters: It can cross a river, climb a mountain, or plough through mud, sand or snow. That's the Argocat - Surrey Fire Brigade's new and unique vehicle for getting men and equipment to the kind of action hotspots it would be impossible to reach with any other type of truck or appliances. Surrey's Argocat is the only one in service with a fire brigade in Britain. Designed and marketed by a Canadian company, it is used there mainly for forestry work over rugged country, but also by the sporting rich for duck shooting and as a beach runabout. The Argocat looks a lot like a small boat on wheels - eight wheels in fact, fitted with massive balloon tyres inflated to only 21b pressure to enable them to get a grip on almost any surface and under almost any conditions. It has a plastic body on a steel frame and is powered by a tiny two-stroke 436 cc engine with an automatic clutch and two forward and reverse gears. Completely amphibious - it can even be fitted with an outboard motor - the Argocat wallows happily through swamp, marsh and liquid mud, makes light work of soft sand, and cruises smoothly over snow when fitted with special accessory tracks. Up to six men and a portable pump and hose can be packed into the Argocat for commando-style firefighting at inaccessible spots. It has been undergoing searching trials at Surrey Fire Brigade's headquarters and is due to go into service in the autumn. Photo shows The Argocat goes up a bank during a demonstration with Fireman Bainbridge at the controls

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