1. 750# with optional front jacks & waterway in rescue mode
Ferrara HD-77 vs. KME 75’
FERRARA
KME
Vertical Reach
77’
75’
Horizontal Reach
70’
65’
Max Elevation
72 degrees
80 degrees
Minimum Elevation -6 -5
Capacity Dry
500#
750# with optional front jacks & waterway in rescue mode
Capacity Wet
Material
Steel
Material Grade
70,000 psi
Combination of 80,000 & 100,000 psi
Construction Type
Welded
Ladder Dimensions:
Base width
34.00”
36.25”
Base handrail height
22.88”
25.06”
#2 width
27.75”
28.38”
#2 handrail height
18.88”
20.13”
#3 width
22.50”
22.00”
#3 handrail height
15.38”
15.50”
Section overlap:
Base to #2
10’
7’ 5”
Section 2 to #3
6’ 8”
Ladder Control System
Direct Hydraulic
IQAN Multiplex
More comparison data can be found on the Ferrara Sales Hub

2. Ferrara HD-77 vs. KME 75'
What do you gain with an extra 2’ of vertical reach?
Ferrara extends 77’ at only 72⁰ elevation. Our horizontal reach at this height is an impressive 21’.
KME vertical reach is 75’, with a horizontal reach of roughly 11’ 3” at 80⁰ elevation. Because KME must be at 80⁰ to reach 75’, it has to be 10’ closer to the building.
Ferrara can reach 2’ higher and place our truck 10’ further away.

3. What do you gain with an extra 5’ of horizontal reach?
Ferrara HD-77 vs. KME 75'
What do you gain with an extra 5’ of horizontal reach?
Ferrara’s HD-77 has a 70’ horizontal reach with a full 10’ section overlap, creating more stability and strength in the ladder.
KME has only 65’ horizontal reach, even with the section overlap reduced to 7’ 5” (Section 1 to 2) and 6’ 8” (Section 2 to 3).

4. Ferrara HD-77 vs. KME 75'
All Ferrara rear mount aerials have a 10’ section overlap. This gives our ladder extra strength and stability, which is readily apparent when operating the device.
KME 75’ aerial section overlap is 7’ 5” (Section 1 to 2) and 6’ 8” (Section 2 to 3), significantly less than a Ferrara aerial.

5. Ferrara HD-77 vs. KME 75'
Ferrara’s 10’ section overlap, as stated, provides extra strength and stability. The HD-77 aerial waterway is rated at 1250 GPM in any nozzle or ladder configuration.
The KME 75’ is rated at 1000 GPM

6. Ferrara HD-77 vs. KME 75’
Ferrara KME
KME 75’ requires front outriggers for stability Front outriggers are always optional on Ferrara’s HD-77.

7. Ferrara HD-77 vs. KME 75’ Ferrara KME
The edges of the KME jack pad are turned up and will catch snow, ice & dirt; frequently causing corrosion. Ferrara jack pads are angled to shed those elements and are hot dipped galvanized for corrosion protection.

8. Ferrara HD-77 vs. KME 75' Ferrara KME
Ferrara auxiliary jack pads are lightweight cast nylon with traction grip surface and flexible handles. Under load, these pads conform to the surface and then go back to flat when pressure is removed. KME uses aluminum pads that bend to the surface and have an upward handle that can be a trip hazard.

9. Ferrara HD-77 vs. KME 75’ Ferrara KME
Ferrara’s rear control panel is behind vertically hinged double doors, protecting instrumentation and switches. The KME panel is exposed, leaving controls open to the elements.

10. Ferrara HD-77 vs. KME 75’ KME Ferrara
Ferrara overrides operate via toggle switches on the rear panel and turntable. KME requires a key for emergency override. This method requires extra time to retrieve the key and the last person using the key has to put it back!

11. Ferrara HD-77 vs. KME 75’ Ferrara KME
Ferrara outriggers are controlled by large paddle switches. They move in the same direction as the outrigger and are easy to use with a gloved hand. KME uses toggle switches.

12. Ferrara HD-77 vs. KME 75’
Ferrara KME
Ferrara secures poles and ladders with a full width drop down retainer, preventing equipment from contacting the roll up door.

13. Both companies offer a swing out ladder.
Ferrara HD-77 vs. KME 75’
Ferrara KME
Both companies offer a swing out ladder.
Ferrara’s extends to the top of the body with left and right handrails.

14. Ferrara HD-77 vs. KME 75’ Ferrara KME
Ferrara’s turntable surface is open grip Morton brand aluminum decking. KME uses aluminum diamond plate, which allows ice buildup in the winter.

15. Ferrara HD-77 vs. KME 75’ Ferrara KME
Both trucks offer standard street side turntable control console. Ferrara load chart and warning labels are visible when the lid is open.

16. Ferrara HD-77 vs. KME 75’ Ferrara KME
NFPA requires lighting on the base of the aerial to light the device in any position of operation. Ferrara places these lights on the base cord.
KME locates these lights at the upper-rear of the base section. This location obstructs both the light and the handrail.

17. Ferrara HD-77 vs. KME 75’ Ferrara KME
Ferrara’s turntable handrail is NFPA 42” height the entire width of the rail. The KME rail is 42” at the post only alongside the console.

18. Ferrara HD-77 vs. KME 75’
Ferrara KME
Ferrara offers quick access to overrides inside the control console. KME requires a key to operate the overrides.

19. Ferrara HD-77 vs. KME 75’ Ferrara KME
Both panels have a clean design. Ferrara provides switches on the left side of the panel that, like all Ferrara aerial electrical, are point-to-point. KME switches operate via a multiplex display node in the console lid.

20. Ferrara HD-77 vs. KME 75’ Ferrara KME
Ferrara uses Siamese extension cylinders (4 cylinders total) that are located under the ladder; easy to access.
KME 75’ uses only 1 extension cylinder per side, located inboard of the base cord. Each cylinder extends nearly the entire length of the base section. To service KME extension cylinders, you must remove the rear access plate and pull the extremely long cylinder to the rear.

21. Ferrara HD-77 vs. KME 75’ Ferrara KME
Ferrara wiring is in a track along the sides of the ladder sections. KME wiring is atop of the rungs, narrowing the usable width in each section.

22. Ferrara HD-77 vs. KME 75’ Ferrara KME
Ferrara wiring is in a track along the sides of the ladder sections. KME wiring is atop of the rungs, narrowing the usable width in each section.

23. Ferrara HD-77 vs. KME 75’
Ferrara KME
The knuckle in the Ferrara waterway is under the ladder. Compare to KME, which can cause a difficult transition when descending from the ladder.

24. Ferrara HD-77 vs. KME 75’
Ferrara KME
Another view of the waterway knuckle and how it impacts KME ladder access.

25. Ferrara HD-77 vs. KME 75’ Ferrara KME
Ferrara extension cable pulleys all have sheaves to protect personnel from accidental contact. KME pulleys are all exposed.

26. Ferrara HD-77 vs. KME 75’ Ferrara KME
Quartz lights are designed to project light in an out-and-down direction. The KME mounting will direct the light side to side instead of at the ground where it’s needed.

27. Ferrara HD-77 vs. KME 75’ Ferrara Ferrara KME
Ferrara intercom is located between base cord and handrail. Easy to access and located so you can speak directly into it. KME intercom is significantly outboard of the fly section, making it impossible to speak directly into it.

28. Ferrara HD-77 vs. KME 75’ Ferrara KME
The Ferrara nozzle controls are between the base cord and handrail on the bolt on egress, driver side. When standing on the NFPA folding steps, the Ferrara nozzle controls are easy to reach.
KME monitor controls are located between the 2nd and 3rd rungs. When standing on the folding steps, the controls will be at your mid-section, difficult to operate without repositioning.

29. Ferrara HD-77 vs. KME 75’
Ferrara KME
Ferrara positional waterway moves with the same type slide pads as on the ladder. KME uses pawls similar to an extension ladder.

30. Ferrara HD-77 vs. KME 75’ Ferrara KME
Ferrara positional waterway is controlled at the turntable and is activated quickly & safely. KME is shifted manually at the ladder tip, requiring someone to walk to the end of the ladder, risking a slip/fall incident.

31. Ferrara HD-77 vs. KME 75’ Ferrara KME
Ferrara positional waterway has lights that indicate when the monitor is in water tower or rescue mode. KME only has 1 light labeled trolley, meaning there is no indicator of a successful shift to the alternate position.