I'm finally curious enough to ask: why are pumpers in Europe and Japan equipped with wheeled reels for larger-diamater hose, while American pumpers pack the hose flat? What do they know, that we don't, or vice-versa?

mjl

A couple of reasons, I think.
1. European and Japanese apparatus are more compact with less space for a bed for LDH.
2. They find it easier to lay out on the reel and probably pick up as well.

In Europe most of the pumps are rearmount, so they normally lay the line from the pumper to the plug. They also carry their own hydrant, pull up a plate on the sidewalk or street, and install the hydrant. They do have spezialized hose layers, known as SW's in Germany, they can easily lay 1000 meters or more of supply line. Many carry the hose in a container that can be easily slid onto the bed for a quick replacement.

FYI...There are some FD's in the U.S. that have specially designed hose laying trucks, and some pumpers, with large hose reels, designed for laying large amounts of LDH. I have seen a couple over the years and it's very impressive to see them laying an aboveground water main with either 5" or 6" as they go down the highway laying 4,000 to 5,000 of hose. I think you find this primarily in rural areas with limited water supply and hydrants spread far apart. Here is a link to Hannay Reels catalog:
http://www.hannay.com/pages/downloads/fire.pdf
Go to page 2, 16 & 21 for pictures and specs of the LDH reels.

Here is pretty good example of what Paul is referring to. The following is a link for a picture of the large-diameter hose tender used by the Sister Bay/Liberty Grove Fire Dept. located in Door County, Wisconsin. It carries something like 4,000 ft. of 5-inch supply line.

http://www.sblgfd.com/members/albums/081903_tng/P1010021.sized.jpg

Here a few different LDH carriers. Note on the Clinton page: Ad for their '76 KW First Gear model
http://www.rehobothbeachfire.com/apparatus.cfm?pos=1&a=9
http://www.rvfd.com/aboutrvfd/apparatus/apparatus.htm
http://www.clintonvfd.org/WaterSupply.htm