For the first time at any fire service event, KME unveiled all three models within its new Predator Thursday, March 24, 2011 chassis family at FDIC 2011.
The Predator model was shown in a rescue pumper, aerial and rescue configuration. This model is KME’s full option cab with an all new interior trim package. It’s available in 4x2, 6x6 and all wheel drive configurations with a full range of engine options from Cummins and MaxxForce in 300 to 600hp.
The Panther model was shown in a pumper configuration, but is available for all KME products. It’s a great value chassis and still provides every safety feature also found on our premium Predator model. It’s the same Predator cab structure designed and tested to be the safest cab in the fire service.
The third model was the KME Severe Service and was shown in an aerial and pumper configuration. It was originally designed for large fleets in extreme duty use conditions, but is now available for fire departments coast to coast. The Severe Service concept is about a well planned design created to both simply and fully accommodate the needs of operators, crews and mechanics and have a rig that’s ready to respond, every time. Others may use the word “severe”, but KME’s Severe Service is THE extreme duty chassis.
These three basic models comprise the Predator chassis family and are recognized as the safest cabs in the fire service. The cabs include KME’s TOP (Total Occupant Protection), designed to give all KME cab occupants the ultimate protection in the event of a collision or rollover. These protection systems deploy within a quarter of a second to help protect firefighters by pretensioning the seat belts, lowering air seats to the safest position, and engaging air bag cushions and/or engaging a steering wheel airbag to protect the head and neck of the driver, while inflating a knee bolster airbag to protect the first officer’s knees. Combined with the cab’s rugged substructure and other safety features, occupants are protected at the highest level available to the fire service.
In addition, after a full battery of third party testing by a nationally recognized firm, the Predator chassis is not only in compliance with SAE-J2420, SAE-J2422, and ECE R29, but exceeds virtually every standard! Unmatched performance in front impact, side impact, and roof-crush tests prove that the KME Predator chassis keeps occupants safe.
• Barrier block test: KME utilized a 1.9 million pound barrier block for front and side impact testing and met all test requirements at over twice the required speed.
• Rollover impact test: KME “rolled” cabs to test occupant safety systems.
• Seat pull test: KME has tested all Predator seat positions to meet all requirements of FMVSS 207/210 and ensure seating provides structural integrity to protect them fully.
• Roof crush test: In the event of a rollover, KME cab roofs are so strong that they exceeded test standards by almost 90,000lbs and can withstand the weight of the vehicle plus two more trucks! The Predators including the cab are designed, built and assembled at the KME World Headquarters in Nesquehoning, PA.
The cabs are available in over 300 different configurations and are available in 96” and 100” widths. KME also doesn’t limit its customers to one engine brand or emission solution, engines are available up to 600hp with both urea and non-urea options. Also, the electrical systems can be either multiplexed or hard wired systems.
The Predator chassis offer all of the “Custom Engineered” features that KME has been known for and include a variety of new designs including the following:
• Best class door entry
• Large capacity newly designed HVAC system with enhanced fan output.
• Newly designed interior package with wrap-around dash and automotive looks and features
• Class One Multiplexing chassis electrical system is standard on the Predator, with choices of Weldon V-Mux or Hardwire systems.
• Virtually endless options for cab EMS, external, transverse and seat riser compartments.
About KME
KME is a leading custom manufacturer of a full range of specialty vehicles for military, industrial, commercial, aviation and municipal markets.