Abstract:
A system which is sufficiently compact and portable to be moved via skid support platform to a multi-wheel diesel-powered host containing active pump and roll capability with front and rear active hydraulics, such as a Bobcat Toolcat Turbo 5600. The system contains a water tank, generally 150 gallons, as well as built in foam tank. The system is wholly powered by the hydraulic system of the host vehicle powering a hydraulic motor on the system. The system hydraulic motor turns a serpentine belt at sufficient RPM&#39;s to power a water pump, air compressor and the compressed air foam system (CAFS) module. Using solely the power provided by the hydraulic motor, water is drawn from the tank, either used alone or mixed with foam at the percentage inputted by the user. Compressed air is added and the air alone, water alone or water/foam mixture is routed via adjustable valve to either the 1 inch firefighters hose or the rigid waterway ending in an adjustable, movable nozzle attached to the cab roof of the host.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the field of firefighting, or more particularly the field of wildland and brush firefighting in areas requiring specialized, portable off-road equipment to gain access to the involved area. More particularly, this invention provides a compact, self-contained, removable firefighting unit using a water/foam fire fighting system which is able to access areas that traditional larger firefighting vehicles are unable to access. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There are many situations when it would be helpful to have a compact, portable firefighting system readily available and able to venture where large, full-scale firefighting vehicles and pick-up trucks are unable to go. This system would be extremely helpful in rural areas where smaller or volunteer fire departments need a system to take water and foam directly to the fire, despite the fire being off-road or in an inaccessible brush or forested area. 
     This portable, compact system would serve as an adjunct to the fire fighters who typically are required to fight wildland and brush fires on the ground with hand tools which is both labor intensive, costly and dangerous. 
     The ability to take foam directly to a fire has multiple benefits. The usefulness of foam in firefighting has long been recognized. Foam allows firefighters to blanket an area, retarding combustion or suffocating a fire already present. Additionally, depending on the % concentration of the foam, it is able to “stick” to potential combustibles, including brush and trees. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a multi-functional hydraulically-driven compressed air foam system (CAFS) module built into a system which contains a front remote control nozzle and rear hose reel for wildland and brush firefighting in areas typically difficult to reach with conventional wildland and brush fire apparatus. 
     The current invention is designed for attachment via removable skid support platform to a multi-wheel diesel-powered host containing active pump and roll capability with front and rear active hydraulics, such as a Bobcat Toolcat Turbo 5600. 
     The primary object of this system is to allow a one- or two-man firefighting team to easily gain access to areas of difficult terrain for safe and efficient firefighting. The system requires minimal manpower and equipment to work these difficult areas. 
     The current invention is built on a removable skid support platform that contains a front-mounted, remote control nozzle; rigid water supply conduit and support mounted above the unit and over the host&#39;s cab; equipment storage boxes; water tank with a built-in foam cell; a hose reel and hose; and a CAFS module containing a water pump, hydraulic motor and rotary screw air compressor. One of the advantages of this design is that a separate combustion engine is not required to power the water pump, air compressor or CAFS unit as everything is driven by the hydraulic motor. This fact helps keep the system compact and light enough for use on a multi-wheel diesel-powered host containing active pump and roll capability with front and rear active hydraulics, such as a Bobcat Toolcat Turbo 5600. Additionally, the lack of combustion engines adds to the safety of the system as a combustible fluid such as gasoline is not required to power the unit separate and apart from the diesel motor which powers the hydraulic system on the host vehicle. 
     The current invention&#39;s remote control nozzle is controlled by a hand-held unit typically known as a “joy stick” inside the host&#39;s cab. The joy stick is either wired to the invention&#39;s electronic communicator or controlled by radio-operated wireless technology. Liquid or foam is supplied to the front remote control nozzle through a series of rigid water supply conduits and supports mounted above the system and the host&#39;s cab. 
     Although the host&#39;s diesel engine provides power, power could also be provided by any other number of sources including but not limited to fuel battery packs, natural or propane gas, electric or gasoline motor, or any combination of these sources if necessary or desired by the end user. 
     Water may be drawn from the attached tank, generally 150 gallons, or from another external source such as a swimming pool, lake, stream or river. The water, foam or water/foam may be discharged via either the attached 150 ft. forestry hose or remote control cab mounted nozzle. 
     PRIOR ART 
     Unlike the prior art, the current invention is on a hydraulically-driven host, which does not require an air compressor to provide brakes for the host, leaving the air compressor to provide 100% capacity toward fire protection or other uses, such as operating firefighting, rescue tools, or equipment. 
     A disadvantage of the Adamson system described in prior art U.S. Pat. No. 6,973,975 to Anderson et al. is that the prior art&#39;s system&#39;s pump and air compressor are each powered by separate, auxiliary gas or diesel engines. The advantage of the hydraulically powered CAFS module in the current invention is the elimination of a separate auxiliary motor. In the current invention, the air compressor and pump are driven by a single hydraulic motor that is powered by the host&#39;s motor. 
     Another distinct advantage of the current invention is the significant difference in weight of the entire unit, due to the use of the hydraulic motor rather than the separate auxiliary motors of the prior art. Typical gas or diesel motors such as those used in the prior art take away a significant amount of usable gross vehicle weight (GVW). The hydraulic motor in the current invention requires only a fraction of the GVW, which allows the user to carry more water, foam or firefighting equipment. 
     Unlike the Adamson prior art, the current invention also contains a rigid preplumbed waterway mounted above the unit and the host&#39;s cab which supplies water or foam to the front remote control nozzle. In addition, the nozzle is operated from the protection of the host&#39;s controlled-temperature cab, eliminating the need for the crew to move outside of the host cab once the firefighting efforts begin. The hose also can be operated from inside of the host cab by one of the crew members rather than on foot, as with most other systems. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates the driver&#39;s side perspective of the current invention mounted on a typical host with a multiuse attachment on the front of host. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the view from the top of the current invention showing the placement of the system components, rigid pre-plumbed waterway and remote-control nozzle in relation to the host with a multiuse attachment on the front of host. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a view from the top of the CAFS module in the current invention showing placement of the individual components that make up the module. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the driver&#39;s side perspective of the CAFS module in the current invention showing placement of the individual components that make up the module. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates, from the rear view of the host, the CAFS module and controls, the hose reel and the host hydraulic lines which power the CAFS module&#39;s hydraulic motor. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the passenger side view of the CAFS module and the connections between the CAFS module and the system&#39;s water tank and foam tank. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the illustration is the driver&#39;s side perspective of the system on a compact host vehicle  1 . The compact host vehicle  1  is typically a multipurpose compact, chassis-framed vehicle that can be easily maneuvered in tight spaces that is usually equipped with a hydraulically-operated bucket attachment  1   c  located in front of the front wheels  1   d , trailer hitch  1   h  behind the rear wheels  1   e  and hydraulic connections under the bed  1   f  on the driver&#39;s side. The compressed air foam system CAFS unit  5  stabilized by a steel frame  83 , water tank  7 , and metal reel  6   a  are attached to a skid support platform  2  comprised of aluminum tubing and sheets. The skid support platform  2 , which is distinct from and not integral with the frame of the host vehicle  1 , is operable to be removably mounted on the rear section of the host vehicle. More particularly, the skid support platform  2  fits within bed  1   f , spanning the width of the bed  1   f  and extending onto the tailgate  1   g . The easily removable skid support platform  2  is mounted onto the bed  1   f  and tailgate  1   g  of host  1  with two steel bolts  64  (visible on  FIG. 5 ) on the left rear and two steel bolts  64  on the right rear of the skid support platform. The skid support platform  2  is further attached to the bed  1   f  of host  1  by inserting the front of skid support platform  2  proximal to the drivers cab  1   b  under a lip  84  bolted to bed  1   f  of the host vehicle with bolts  64 . 
     The polyurethane water tank  7 , mounted to skid support platform  2 , is shown immediately behind the driver&#39;s cab  1   b  of host vehicle  1  and spans the width of the bed  1   f . The water tank refill conduit  7   a  is located on the rear portion of the water tank  7  on the driver&#39;s side. This conduit allows the water tank to be refilled by hose. A personal protective equipment storage box  9  spans the width of the water tank and is mounted over the water tank  7 . A large metal hose reel  6   a  apparatus is mounted on the skid platform  2  located on the driver&#39;s side behind the water tank  7  extending to the rear of host  1  and may include 150 feet of forestry hose  6   b  with nozzle attached  6   c . The CAFS unit  5  and its steel frame  83 , is mounted on the passenger side of host  1  next to the metal hose reel  6   a.    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Also mounted on the skid support platform  2  are steel tubular supports  3  that support an adjustable remote control nozzle  4  located above the driver&#39;s cab  1   b . The tubular supports  3  are mounted to the skid support platform  2  at the front driver&#39;s side corner of the bed  1   f  just behind the lip  84  by vertical support  3   g , and on the driver&#39;s side in the middle of the bed  1   f  by vertical support  3   d . Each tubular support has a counterpart on the passenger&#39;s side (not shown) with  3   h  in the front and  3   e  in the middle of the bed If. Mounted parallel to the ground along the driver&#39;s side, tubular support  3   b  extends over the driver&#39;s cab  1   b  and is welded to the supports  3   g  and  3   d . On the passenger side, support  3   a  is welded to vertical support columns  3   h  and  3   e  (not shown) and extends across the passenger&#39;s side cab. Tubular support  3   c  is located across and in front of the cab  1   b  with nozzle  4  mounted in the center. The nozzle  4  is controlled by a trigger controlled wired joystick  42  mounted in the operator cab  1   b.    
     The host  1  hydraulic hookup  57  is located on the driver&#39;s side under the bed  1   f . The flexible hydraulic hose  29  transports hydraulic oil from the host  1  to the hydraulic motor  11  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) and is then returned to the hydraulic hookup  57  via flexible hydraulic hose  30 . Additionally, a flexible auxiliary return hose  40  connects flexible hydraulic return hose  30  to hydraulic hookup  57 . All connections to the hydraulic hookup  57  are through quick connect couplings. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2  of the CAFS unit  5 , there is shown the adjustable remote control nozzle  4  attached to the rigid water supply conduit and support  3   c  which provides either water or a water/foam mixture to the nozzle. Supports  3   c  and  3   a  serve as conduits for the water/foam mixture to reach the remote controlled nozzle  4 . Support  3   c  consists of multiple parts with segment  3   c  spanning the width of cab  1   b  and located above it. Support  3   c  is connected on the driver side by support  3   b  that runs along top of the driver side to approximately the middle of the bed  1   f  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). Support conduit  3   c  is connected on the passenger side through support conduit  3   b  that runs the length of the passenger side to approximately the middle of bed  1   f . The joint between supports  3   c  and  3   b  is formed by utilizing two 90 degree curved elbow pieces. One curved elbow is joined to support  3   b  with the open end facing up. The second curved elbow piece connects to the first elbow and connects with support  3   c . The result is an upward 90 degree curve that adds to structural stability of support  3   c . The joint between  3   c  and  3   a  is formed in the same manner. Steel tubular support  3   i  runs parallel to support conduit  3   c  and is located directly behind the cab  1   b . A rigid “T” joint is formed by supports  3   i ,  3   b  and  3   g  on the driver&#39;s side, and another “T” joint is formed on the passenger side between supports  3   i ,  3   a , and  3   h . Flexible water/foam hose  21  is attached to pump discharge pipe  14  through a clamp and is also attached to support conduit  3   a  through a clamp. There are two welded steel caps  44  which close support  3   a  to prevent the backflow of water or foam. There is one cap  44  immediately posterior to the joint of support  3   a  and flexible water/foam hose. There is another cap inside support  3   c  immediately past the remote controlled nozzle  4 . The result is a water/foam conduit allowing water/foam to flow from the juncture of support  3   a  and flexible water/foam hose  21  to the remote controlled nozzle  4 . 
     A personal protective equipment storage box  9  with latch  9   a  is mounted above the water tank  7  and is directly behind the cab  1   b . A lid  7   a  that can be lifted manually is located on the driver&#39;s side on top of the water tank  7  that can be used to fill the water tank  7  with water. In the middle of the water tank  7  is a removable panel with a latch  7   b . The foam tank  8  is formed on the interior passenger side of the water tank  7  and has a refill conduit  8   a  for the foam tank located adjacent to lid  7   a . The steel hose reel apparatus  6   a  is attached to the skid support platform system  2  on the rear driver side immediately proximal to the CAFS unit  5 . The CAFS unit  5  is immediately adjacent to the hose reel  6   a  and is to the rear of the system, attached to the skid support platform  2  on the passenger side of the system. The flexible hose reel discharge line  16  is connected to the steel reel assembly  6   a  and runs between the steel hose reel  6   a  and the CAFS unit  5  before curving 90 degrees behind the CAFS unit  5  and between the water tank  7 . The flexible hose reel discharge line  16  provides either water or a water/foam mix to the hose  6   b.    
       FIG. 3  is a detailed topdown view of the system including the CAFS unit  5  and its various components. The CAFS unit  5  is contained within a steel frame  83  which is bolted onto the aluminum skid support platform  2 . 
     The self-contained system contains the foam proportioner  13 , water pump  10 , hydraulic motor  11  and air compressor  12 . The water pump  10  suctions water from the water tank  7  through a fixed pump intake pipe  18 . Pump intake pipe  18  emerges near the bottom center of the water tank  7 , makes a 90° turn towards the passenger side of host  1 , then makes another 90° turn and runs toward the rear of host  1 . The pump intake pipe  18  runs to the passenger side of water pump  10  which is located at the bottom driver&#39;s side of CAFS unit  5 . Water from the tank flows through the pump intake pipe  18  to the water pump  10  and discharges through the pump discharge pipe  14  located on the top of the water pump  10  and attached to the control panel  28  by a U″ bracket (not shown). The pump discharge pipe  14  extends perpendicular up out of the water pump  1   0  before turning toward the passenger-side of the host vehicle  1  at a 90° angle. The pump discharge pipe  14  continues briefly before turning 90° toward the front of the host  1 . The section of pump discharge pipe  14  between the 90° turns noted above 87 is welded to the curved elbow shaped turn sections. Connected horizontally to the side of pipe  87  is a “T” junction that is connected to auxiliary tank fill hose  26 . Auxiliary tank fill hose begins on the control panel  28 , and extends through the control panel  28 , and enters valve assembly  45 . The jet primer valve  32  (shown on  FIG. 5 ) is utilized to help create a suction that draws water from the outside source into the auxiliary tank fill hose  26 . When tank fill valve  45   a  is turned, it controls the valve  45  which either allows water to continue through auxiliary tank fill hose  26  or enter tank fill line  25 . Auxiliary tank fill hose  26  may be connected to a secondary source of water such as a pond through use of an external hose connected to the auxiliary tank fill hose  26 . The suction created by the water pump allows water to flow through auxiliary tank fill hose  26 , and depending on how the valve  45   a  is turned, it can either be pulled through the auxiliary tank fill line  26 , through the “T” junction  87  and into pump discharge pipe  14 , pulled into the auxiliary tank fill hose  26 , into the valve assembly  45 , through tank fill hose  25 , and finally deposited in the water tank  7 . 
     A brass “T” junction  90  is connected to the pump discharge pipe  14  immediately after the pump discharge pipe  14  makes the 90° turn towards the front of the host  1 . The brass “T” junction  90  has a section perpendicular to the horizontal piping attached to the pump discharge pipe  14 . Inserted into the perpendicular section of “T” junction  90  is a paddlewheel flowmeter  91  to which an electrical line is attached leading to the foam proportioner  13 . The purpose of flowmeter  91  is to measure the water flow and send a signal to the motor driver control of the foam proportioner  13  thereby controlling foam output. 
     Pump discharge pipe  14  continues through the “T” junction  90  where it is connected to “T” junction  19 . Pump discharge pipe  14  continues thru “T” junction  19 , while the perpendicular portion of “T” junction  19  lies horizontally facing the passenger side of host  1  and is further connected to an elbow shaped pump-to-hose discharge pipe  94  that makes a 90° turn towards the front of host  1 . Pump-to-hose discharge pipe  94  continues briefly before making a 90° turn down approximately 6″ and then turning 90° toward the driver&#39;s side of host  1 . Attached to pump-to-hose discharge pipe  94  via clamp is the flexible hose reel discharge line  16  which leads to hose reel  6   a  and forestry hose  6   b . Air discharge line  68  enters pump-to-hose discharge line  94  through brass inlet  78  (shown on  FIG. 6 ) providing air to pressurize the mixture. Prior to the 90 degree downward turn of pump-to-hose discharge pipe  94  is the hose reel water valve  71  that, when opened, allows water to flow to the hose reel discharge line  16 . A push/pull rod  72  connects to hose reel water valve and extends the length of CAFS unit  5  to control panel  28  located on the rear of the CAFS unit  5 . The push/pull rod  72  consists of two rods connected by a uniflex joint and is opened when the hose reel water handle  55 , located on the control panel  28 , is pulled. 
     Inserted into the top of “T” junction  19  is a foam injector port  20 . The foam injector port  20  is connected to a hose with a I-way check valve leading from the CAFS unit  5 . Pump discharge pipe  14  continues through “T” junction  19  via a 1½″ pipe outlet and continues toward the front of the host vehicle  1 , exiting the metal frame  83  where the pump discharge line makes a 90° turn vertically where it is connected to a manual gate valve  82  which opens/closes pump discharge pipe  14 . Immediately past the manual gate valve  82 , pump discharge pipe  14  continues briefly where it is then screwed into electric motor valve  63  which opens/closes the valve based on input from the trigger switch control within the cab of host  1 . The electric motor valve  63  allows the water, foam or water/foam mixture to continue through pump discharge line  14  on to flexible water/foam hose  21  which continues straight up before making a 45° turn to the front of the host  1  and connecting via clamp to the horizontal section of support conduit  3   a , which leads to remote control nozzle  4 . Inlet  79  is where the flexible air discharge hose  15  joins pump discharge pipe  14  immediately past electric motor valve  63 . A rigid manual shut off valve  15   a  connects the flexible air discharge hose  15  with inlet  79 . The air discharge hose  15  originates on the bottom end of the air compressor  12  and provides air pressure to the water/foam mixture exiting the unit through the adjustable remote control nozzle  4 . 
     The water line  76  (shown on  FIG. 6 ) starts from the heat exchanger  24  and returns back into the water pump  10  via an inlet into the tank fill line  25  near the water tank  7 . The oil line  73  travels from the air compressor  12  into the heat exchanger from the rear of host  1  for cooling from the air compressor  12  then exits at the opposite end of the heat exchanger near the water tank  7  as oil line  74 , returning the cooled oil to an inlet on the air compressor. The foam drain line  77  exits on the passenger side of CAFS unit  5 . The compressor warning light  53  (shown on  FIG. 4 ) is connected to the flexible compressor warning line  53   a.    
       FIG. 4  is a view of the CAFS unit  5  from the driver&#39;s side of Host  1  with the hose reel  6  removed to increase the viewable area. Extending up over the CAFS unit  5  is the air intake with filter  39  which provides filtered air to the air compressor unit  12 . Also shown are the oil filter  65  and air separator  66 , both attached to the top portion of the air compressor unit  12 . The flexible hydraulic hose  29 , which is connected to the host hydraulic hookup  57  (shown on  FIG. 1 ), provides hydraulic fluid under pressure to the hydraulic motor  11 , shown at the driver&#39;s side rear of the host unit  1  above the water pump  10 . The flexible hydraulic return hose  30  exits the hydraulic motor and returns to the host vehicle  1  through connection at the host hydraulic hookup  57  at the drivers side rear of the host unit  1 . The auxiliary hydraulic return line  40  (shown on  FIG. 1 ) is connected to both the hydraulic return line  30  and the host hydraulic hookup  57 . The hydraulic fluid travels from the host hydraulic hookup  57  through the hydraulic line  29  to the hydraulic motor  11 . Pressure from the hydraulic fluid provided through the hydraulic line  29  turns the hydraulic motor at approximately 3800 rpm&#39;s. This force is used to rotate the serpentine belt  17  which powers the air compressor  12  and the water pump  10 . Towards the rear of the CAFS unit and bracketed to the steel support  83  of the CAFS unit  5  is the serpentine belt tensioner  95  which moves a gear forward and back on a railing with a screw to hold the gear in place, thereby allowing the notched serpentine belt  17  to be tightened or loosened as needed. At the bottom of the CAFS unit  5  and integrated as part of the skid platform support  2  is the hand tool equipment box  27  which slides open to the rear of the system immediately under the control panel  28 . Immediately below the equipment box  27  is the aluminum skid support platform  2 . 
     The main air discharge valve  48  is located immediately next to air compressor  12  on the driver&#39;s side and supplies air to main air discharge pipe  67 . From main air discharge pipe  67  the air travels to air discharge hoses  15  and  68 . Air discharge hose  15  leads to pump discharge pipe  14  via inlet  79 , and air discharge pipe  68  leads to hose reel  16  via inlet  78 . To aid in better foam production, a pressure balancer  22  is connected between air compressor  12  via line  22   c  (not shown) and balancing lines  22   a  and line  22   b . Line  22   a  measures the water pressure psi coming from the pump discharge line  14  through a valve located on pipe  87  (not shown). Line  22   b  leads to the fixed/auto air control coupling  51   a  (shown on  FIG. 3 ) which attaches to fixed/auto air control  51  located on control panel  28  (shown on  FIG. 5 ), and when activated, allows the balancer  22  to balance the pressure from the water discharge pipe  14  and the main air valve  48  through line  22   c  (not shown). The equalization of air pressure from the air compressor and water pressure ensures better foam production. The auxiliary discharge air supply originates from the air compressor  12  and travels through a flexible hose  99  that connects to the auxiliary air discharge valve  31  and subsequently to the auxiliary air discharge  47  located on the control panel of the CAFS unit  5  (shown on  FIG. 6 ). 
     Immediately posterior to water tank  7  is the auxiliary tank fill line  25  with the water line  76  returning water from the heat exchanger  24  back to the water tank thru an inlet into the auxiliary tank fill line  25 . The pump intake pipe  18  is located lower on the water tank  7  than the auxiliary tank fill line  25  is. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , this is a view from the rear of the CAFS unit  5  and host  1 . Indicated on the drawing is the control panel  28  into which holes have been drilled for various gauges, switches, inlets, and ports. Beginning on the driver side, on top of panel  28  is the fixed air auto switch  51 , and immediately next to it is run/unload air fixed pump control  52 . Along the upper edge of panel  28  are 3 fixed panel lights  56  controlled by the panel light switch  58 . Immediately underneath the fixed air auto switch  51  is the master water pressure gauge  50 , and immediately underneath the run/unload air fixed pump control  52  is the master air pressure gauge  49 . Below these 2 gauges is the foam proportioner % value control  38 , which allows the foam to be turned on/off as well as controlling the foam output to between 0.01% and 1%. The compressor warning light  53  is to the immediate passenger side of the run/unload air fixed pump control  51 . The hose reel air switch  54  is near the center/top of the control panel  28  and is operated by turning the knob counter-clockwise to open. To the immediate passenger side of the hose reel air switch  54  is the hose reel water handle  55 , which operates via pulling to allow water to the hose reel  16  and pushing to stop the flow of water. Along the far upper passenger side corner of the control panel  28  is the LED water level indicator  36 , and immediately below it the LED foam level indicator  37 . Towards the bottom passenger side corner of panel  28  is the auxiliary air valve  31  and an auxiliary air discharge port  47 . The tank to pump handle  46  is located in the middle of the control panel  28  and is pushed to activate and pulled to close; it operates the main intake pipe to allow water to flow from water tank  7  to water pump  10 . Immediately below is the auxiliary tank fill  26  is a 1½″ pipe to the tank, capped with brass cap chained to the unit. To the immediate passenger side of foam proportioner % value control  38  are three drain valves listed from driver side to passenger side: cooler drain valve  35 , manifold drain valve  33  and pump drain valve  34 . Also on control panel  28  is the jet primer valve  32  used to pull water into the pump for refilling or for spraying, and it is located in between the auxiliary discharge port  47  and the auxiliary tank fill  26 . 
     The auxiliary discharge port  47  can be used with proper attachments to power tools that require compressed air such as rescue and impact tools. The system is controlled through shutting off water discharge through manual gate valve  82  or electronic motor valve  63  and hose-to-reel valve  55 . Water is still able to run through the heat exchanger to cool the system down and returns to the water tank via water line  76 . 
     Immediately below the control panel  28  and extending underneath CAFS unit  5 , a tool drawer  27  with handle  27   a  is attached to skid platform  2 . Four bolts  64  affixing the skid support platform  2  to the bed of host  1  are screwed into the back rear of the host vehicle  1 . 
     Looking at  FIG. 6 , the foam proportioner unit  13 , secured to the passenger side of the CAFS unit  5 , suctions foam from the foam tank  8  through a clear tube  43 . The CAFS unit  5  uses a proportioner  13  that is mounted on the skid platform  2  and is used to control the water to foam ratio. By adjusting the proportioner  13 , the operator can optimize the amount of water used to create the foam spray that is used to put out fires. Visible on the foam proportioner unit  13  are the electronics for the proportioner  97  and the foam proportioner capacitor  98 , both secured to the foam proportioner  13  itself. The foam from the tank  8  passes through a valve  41  with strainer immediately proximal to the foam tank  8  with poly tube  43  attached to said valve via NST connection. 
     The heat exchanger  24  is attached to the top passenger side of the CAFS unit  5  where it receives oil from the air compressor  12  via oil line  73  and cools it prior to the oil being returned to the air compressor  12  via oil line  74  (shown on  FIG. 4 ). There are three brackets  70  used to attach the heat exchanger to the top of CAFS unit  5 . A water hose  75  is the water input into the heat exchanger  24  directly from the water pump  10 . Hose  76  emerges from the heat exchanger  24  at the opposite end of the input hose  75  and returns the water to the water tank  7  via an inlet located on tank fill hose  25  just prior to its entrance into water tank  7 . Connected to the assembly along with input hose  75  is a drain hose  77  that allows water to drain from the system and exit through drain valve  33 . 
     Hose  99  connects auxiliary air input  47  to auxiliary air valve  31 . Immediately posterior to where water conduit  21  intersects and is welded to rigid water supply conduit and support  3   a  is a metal cap preventing backflow  44  of water through the rigid water supply conduit and support  3   a.    
     The system operates as follows. The system is wholly powered by the hydraulic system of the host vehicle powering a hydraulic motor on the system. The system hydraulic motor turns a serpentine belt at sufficient RPM&#39;s to power a liquid pump, air compressor and the Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS) module. Using solely the power provided by the hydraulic motor, water or other liquid is drawn from the tank, either used alone or mixed with foam at the percentage inputted by the user. Compressed air is added and the air alone, liquid alone or water/foam mixture is routed via adjustable valve to either the  1  inch forestry hose or the rigid waterway ending in an adjustable, movable nozzle attached to the cab roof of the host. The system could also be used to spray chemicals such as insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, algaecides, fertilizers or other liquid solution. The typical liquid is water but other suitable liquids might be used. The type of spray can also be varied and controlled by the type of nozzle used. 
     The system can be easily removed from the vehicle by removing stainless steel bolts  64  attaching the skid support platform  2  to the host vehicle&#39;s bed  1 . Additionally, there is a metal lip  84  bolted to the bed of the host vehicle immediately behind the drivers compartment. The skid support platform  2  of the system fits under this lip in addition to being bolted to the host vehicle. The hydraulic tubing  29  and  30  must also be disconnected from the hydraulic hookup  57  of the host vehicle. Due to the weight of the system, a forklift or hoist may be required to remove it from the host vehicle. However, after removal, the system may be quickly placed onto another host and bolted to the bed, the hydraulic lines must hooked up, and the system is ready for use. 
     Before concluding, it is to be understood that the terminology employed in this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments. Unless the context clearly demonstrates otherwise, it is not intended to be limiting. In this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Conversely, it is contemplated that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element or be further limited using exclusive terminology as “solely,” “only” and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements or by use of a “negative” limitation. It is also contemplated that any optional feature of the inventive variations described herein may be set forth and claimed independently, or in combination with any one or more of the features described herein. 
     Although the foregoing specific details describe various embodiments of the invention, persons reasonably skilled in the art will recognize that various changes may be made in the details of the apparatus of this invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Therefore, it should be understood that, unless otherwise specified, this invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described herein.