Favorite Rescue Tools

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Permalink Reply by Rescue 1 on July 17, 2009 at 10:13am

We have both TNT and AMKUS in service in our department. We started with AMKUS and are switching over to TNT. We did a 6 month tool review where we brought in all the tool vendors to review the goods and to start a base line for what we wanted our tools to have and do. I can hoenstly say that we only found one tool company that we would not even look at after the first go around. So once we figured out what we needed we started to eliminate. It came down to TNT and Hurst. As I said we picked TNT. Many reason why, Quality and serivce was a big factor. Our local guy is great and the Factory support was just as good. Little Gary try calling the Owner of TNT Tim Blantin and talk to him about your bad tools. I would be shocked if he did not fix it right. Remember when doing tool evals, your department needs to figure out what they want a tool to do and what you want out of your tool and then start the process. I am sure you will not find to many bad tools out there, just bad users!!!!!

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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on July 17, 2009 at 10:19am

Is it time to start a "Leatherman vs. Gerber" thread?

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Permalink Reply by Little Gary on August 4, 2009 at 2:29pm

Well Rescue 1 let me inform you that we did do all of the evals, studies, testing of the tools, etc. And of all of the tools they did not rate high enough for are purpose. During the tests the tools leaked, seals failed, no power and just did not performed like they promised. It took over 2 years for them to figure out what was wrong with them. And now you are telling me that I do not know anything about operating them or how to use them. Let me tell you that peoplke like you make this job harder and more difficult. I am glad that you picked this stuff for your department. But you have probably train with tapes, pictures or what you see on TV or what somebody told you and haven't come into the real world. Beleve me when the company sent down there so-called top man to repair it and he did not know what was wrong and got it to work by jerry rigging it, you tell me that I am a bad user??

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Permalink Reply by Paul Stoops on August 4, 2009 at 10:51pm

We use the 6-tool Amkus Ultimate System. Preconnected cutters, spreaders and rams from both sides.

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Permalink Reply by Chuck Nondorf on August 4, 2009 at 11:02pm

We have always used Hurst. We did have a T-N-T combi tool and power unit at one time for race car extrication and back up. Didn't take us long to get rid of it. Wasn't that it was a bad tool it was that it was just that much other stuff we had to have on hand for servicing. We have 2 power units, 2 spreader units, 2 cutters, 2 rams, and 2 air bags. One of the spreader units and cutters are probably as old as I am and still the ones I would grab first. They both still work great and have never let us down. We also have a Hurst dealer close to us that will have a loaner tool to us if one breaks down. I have used an Amkus tool at a training class and did not like it what so ever. I guess it's just everyones personal opinion on what tool they like. Me? I'm a Hurst man all the way.

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Permalink Reply by Little Gary on November 4, 2009 at 8:30am

I hope that everybody is safe and doing well. Just want to report in and say THEY FAILED AGAIN!!!!!! Still TNT lives up to there reputation JUNK LIGHT WEIGHT EXTRICATION TOOLS!!!!!! The cutters would not evan cut a door hinge. They are still SLOW, WEAK, AND LEAK. They would be great for a muffler shop

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Permalink Reply by Tim Blanton on November 11, 2009 at 2:37pm

Little Gary here is your chance to ask me anything on your tools. We haven't heard one complaint from your derpartment, or from anyone from whom your department saved there life in a extrication. So as Rescue 1 has told you to give me a call, but haven't heard from you yet. Plus when I meet you over a year ago you never once complained to me about the tools.

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Permalink Reply by Little Gary on November 13, 2009 at 8:20am

Tim:
If you recall I did tell you about the performance of your tools. I was talked to by my DC and Ac about this subject and I will not be posting anything more about the tools. I also read what you sent to your dealer in the area. This will be the LAST time that I will talk about this subject.

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Permalink Reply by Tim Blanton on November 13, 2009 at 10:24am

Gary:
I due recall the performance issuses you ask the last time, I was there you said that the tools jumped when operating, we look at all of your trucks and tools, when I was there and they never did what you said they did. I told you at the time, and explained to you how the system worked, I never said it couldn't happen, but we couldn't make it happen, when I was there. Plus no one else saw what you saw. Which is fine, I never called you a lier, I live over 4 hours away and I will aways come down in a drop of a hat if there are issues. I'm glad you decide not to talk about this online, all departments have ways of formally dealing with any issues internally. TNT has always responded to them as well as our dealers. I'm a phone call away, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, even on Holidays.
Respectfully yours, Tim Blanton

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