Crimson Fire Aerials Introduces Mid-Mount Aerial

BRANDON, S.D., April 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Crimson Fire Aerials has
expanded its popular line of vehicles with the introduction of a mid-mount
aerial platform at the fire-rescue industry's biggest trade show.
Crimson Fire Aerials, which is a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc.
(Nasdaq: SPAR), will display its new 100-foot mid-mount aerial platform at
Booth 2433 during the Fire Department Instructors Conference, which opens
today. The mid-mount product is the fifth vehicle developed by CFA President
Jim Salmi and his team of engineers since Crimson launched its aerial line in
2004.
The mid-mount aerial provides fire departments greater visibility, lower
overall travel height, a large and technologically innovative bucket and
enhanced storage capabilities. As with all of CFA's aerial products, the new
vehicle features the industry's only "greaseless" ladder, patent-pending
X-style outriggers and an exclusive roller assembly system.
"This new mid-mount aerial rounds out the CFA line of aerials, which
deliver better performance and require less maintenance than those of our
competitors," Salmi explained. "In just four years, CFA has introduced six
new aerial products, establishing us as an industry leader in innovation."
The mid-mount aerial features a five-section truss-design ladder with a
turntable mounted behind the cab. The mid-mounts are built on the custom
Gladiator chassis by Spartan Chassis, Inc., which is also a subsidiary of
Spartan Motors.
Specific benefits of this new aerial include:

-- Better visibility: The position of the platform at the rear of the
truck gives firefighters greater visibility when responding to
emergency calls.

-- Lower overall travel height: While other aerials may have overall
ladder travel heights topping 12 feet, CFA's new mid-mount product
features an overall travel height as low as 10 feet. Departments in the

Northeast, where stations are often older, or in historical buildings
that cannot be renovated, will find the lower travel height
exceptionally advantageous.

-- Large, innovative bucket: CFA added a cubic foot of space in the
platform to provide more space for the operator. Additionally a
state-of-the-art hydraulic system provides a smooth operational control

for the device. The platform controls are mounted on a slide
mechanism allowing the operator to move the controls easily from one
side of the bucket to the other, giving greater flexibility and
visibility when operating the platform close to obstacles.

-- Enhanced storage capabilities: Innovative engineering allows the new
mid-mount aerial to maximize body compartmentalization throughout the
vehicle by offering unique storage options.

"More than 24 months of design and engineering went into developing the
new mid-mount platform," Salmi said. "We had extensive discussions with fire
departments across the country to identify issues they face on the job, then
designed a vehicle that meets those specific needs."
Additionally, as with all Crimson Fire Aerials, the new mid-mount vehicle
features:
-- Greaseless ladder and roller assembly system: CFA's exclusive
patent-pending roller assembly system provides for exceptionally smooth

ladder extension and retraction. By reducing friction, on the ladder,
vehicles enjoy longer -- and better -- operational life. The system
eliminates slide pads and grease, which makes maintenance much easier.

-- X-style outrigger leveling system: The patent-pending X-style
outriggers allows departments to level the apparatus on slopes of up to

15 degrees, more than just about any other manufacturer in the
industry. Departments can now handle truck set-up on severe terrain,
improving the safety of their team.

-- Ladder lift cradle: The patent-pending lift cradle allows departments
to position the ladder close to the ground, making it easier and safer
to add or exchange equipment at its tip. CFA has also built in more
standing room and better visibility for the turntable operator.
Additionally, the lift cradle operates 10 degrees below the horizontal,

making it perfect for river rescues and other low-angle situations.

-- Travel and rest cradle: CFA utilizes an exclusive Vibra-Torque(R)
mounting system for the travel and rest cradle, which allows the body
to "float" above the chassis. By adding engineered spring and rubber
assemblies before mounting the body to the chassis, vibration and
stress on the cradle and ladder structures are reduced.

-- Smart hose loader: CFA's exclusive side storage bed accommodates up to

1,000 feet of five-inch hose while our rear-storage bed can handle up
to 400 feet of three-inch hose. Both are easily accessible from the
ground, which makes it safer, easier, faster and more comfortable to
load hoses.

-- Pumping system: CFA has effectively integrated a 2000 gpm pump with an

ergonomically designed control panel and operator's stand.

The mid-mount aerial joins four other aerial vehicles to complete the
Crimson Fire Aerials product line, including a 75-foot rear mount, a 103-foot
straight ladder, a 103-foot tractor-drawn and a 100-foot rear-mount platform.
About Crimson Fire Aerials
Crimson Fire is a leading manufacturer of custom fire truck aerials. A
subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPAR), Crimson Fire Aerials is
committed to quality, value and innovation. Drawing on one of the industry's
most experienced engineering, design and manufacturing teams, Crimson Fire
manufactures a full line of aerial vehicles from its facilities in
Pennsylvania and South Dakota. For more information, visit
www.crimson-fire.com.
SOURCE Spartan Motors, Inc.

Nick Langerock of Crimson Fire, +1-605-582-4034; or Mary Ann Sabo of Sabo
Public Relations, +1-616-485-1432, for Spartan Motors, Inc.