On February 21, 1913, a representative of the Front Driver Motor Company was in Detroit overseeing the delivery of a Christie tractor that was used to convert Ladder 5 from a horse drawn to a motorized vehicle.
Ladder 5 was a 85′ American LaFrance built in 1908 The aerial ladder was equipped with a turn table and spring hoists. It had been pulled by 3 of Detroit’s powerful fire horses. The Christie tractor was a 4 cylinder, two wheel, chain driven, 90 horsepower vehicle equipped with solid rubber tires.
![](http://www.dfdlegacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Detroit-1914-Christie.jpg)
Ladder 5 and crew after the ladder truck was motorized with a Christie tractor – 1914 photo
When fully equipped, the motorized ladder truck weighed in at a whopping 15,980 pounds. Once the Christie front end was fitted to the existing truck, Ladder 5 was able to respond at twice the speed previously possible.
The listing from the department’s annual report for the 1914-1915 fiscal year gives details of the equipment carried on Ladder 5.
![](http://www.dfdlegacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/1_324744bd7e82cc17307c559e7d0684b1-1024x450.jpg)
In this photo the words “Christie Front Drive” can be seen on the rig’s front nameplate. It also gives a good look at the solid rubber tires the unit was equipped with.
This modern day picture shows the front of a Christie tractor that is similar to the one Ladder 5 was converted with.
![](http://www.dfdlegacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/e0441883bed410dfe8a646147ed20539.jpg)
Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.