After seeing the photo yesterday of the Marsh Master amphibious fire vehicle used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Idaho, Brian Pippin sent us a photo of another unusual piece of fire apparatus used by the USF&WS. This time it is an ASV ST-50 rubber track utility vehicle used on the J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, which is located on the subtropical barrier island of Sanibel in the Gulf of Mexico near Sanibel, Florida. Mr. Pippin said the vehicle, which is not amphibious, was used last weekend on a very high profile prescribed fire at the refuge.
The ASV Scout was developed and originally manufactured by ASV in Grand Rapids MN. ASV had a line of tracked carriers (Track Truck 80’s and 90’s) and tracked skid steer loaders which Terex still produces. ASV was bought by Terex a couple years ago and Terex decided to cease prodution. We were able to get a number of them in the midwest before production stoped. They carry a lot (4,000lbs) and are moderatly roboust. Some folks were looking at them as a replacement for the Bombardier J-5 which also is no longer produced. The J-5 did not carry a lot of water but it could stand up to pole size trees and willow clumps very well.