How Much Does a Fire Gear Washing Machine Cost?

Firefighter gear contamination is an invisible threat hiding in plain sight. Intense blazes leave toxic chemicals and substances clinging to turnout gear. Hand washing multiple sets of equipment is time-consuming and leaves the cleaner open to exposure during the cleaning process.

The consequences are severe. Firefighters face a 9% higher cancer risk when their skin comes in contact with contaminated gear—yet dedicating precious time to cleaning the gear cuts into critical training, readiness, and response times. Firefighters often find themselves struggling to balance proper decontamination with operational needs.

There is a better way to mitigate contaminant exposure while maximizing productivity. Fire gear washing machines, such as the Gladiator 911, can efficiently clean equipment in a single cycle.

Read on to learn how the innovative Gladiator 911 can give your firefighters the protection they need while saving your department valuable time.

FIRE GEAR WASHING MACHINE PRICE

Investing in a high-quality fire gear washer is essential for any fire department. But this specialty equipment comes at an upfront cost. Pricing for an industrial-grade washer explicitly designed for turnout gear cleaning typically ranges from $40,000 to $60,000.

The Gladiator 911 by Arnold Machine falls somewhere in the middle of this spectrum at around $49,000. However, this professional-grade washer justifies its price tag with extreme durability, innovative features, and advanced cleaning technology.

When you consider the costs of insufficient gear cleaning—including serious health risks—the price makes sense for a long-term investment. Over decades of frequent use, the Gladiator 911 pays for itself in terms of firefighters’ health and the durability of their equipment.

THE GLADIATOR 911 ADVANTAGE

With its commercial-grade stainless steel construction and thoughtful design, the Gladiator 911 offers unmatched value. Here’s a detailed look at what makes this machine stand out from the competition.

Made in the U.S.A.

Arnold Machine engineers and manufactures the Gladiator 911 entirely in the United States. With over 29 years of industry expertise, we pour our extensive knowledge into designing top-tier industrial washers at our facility in Tiffin, Ohio.

Numerous municipalities and local governments require domestically-sourced equipment. Unlike many foreign-made competitor models, the American-made Gladiator 911 fully meets fire department sourcing requirements.

Quality and Durability

The Gladiator 911 uses 12-gauge 304 stainless steel for its construction. We also incorporate top-of-the-line industrial components designed to last in an unforgiving industrial setting. Competing gear washers use lesser-quality steel that often rusts out within five years.

The lifetime warranty on the shell reflects Arnold Machine’s confidence that this machine will serve your department for decades. All major components are also USA-made to ensure the highest performance and reliability.

High Performance and Thorough Cleaning

The Gladiator 911's design lets firefighters quickly load and unload gear on the provided hooks and fixtures. Powerful spray nozzles deliver 45 gallons per minute at 40 psi to thoroughly yet safely clean equipment from all angles during the rotating wash cycle.

After washing, a rinse cycle sprays gear to actively remove any remaining residue as the table continues rotating. The system automatically meters the proper detergent back into the tank to maintain an optimal solution concentration.

This innovative design combines uncompromised cleaning power with straightforward operation and minimal maintenance.

Advanced Safety Features

With its integrated door safety switch, low-level pump protection, and other smart features, the Gladiator 911 provides essential safeguards during operation and maintenance. It also meets UL 508A standards for industrial control panels, ensuring safety and performance.

User Friendliness

A color touchscreen control provides an intuitive interface for selecting wash cycles and customizing settings. The Gladiator 911 is designed to be simple to operate, even for users without technical backgrounds.

Adjustable timers give the flexibility to tailor the wash process to your needs. Users can also utilize the automatic detergent pump from the touchscreen; this eliminates the need to manually measure or adjust the amount of detergent in a given wash cycle. The easy to use, straightforward controls minimize training requirements, so firefighters can focus on responding to emergencies.

Firefighter-Focused Design

Developed alongside active firefighters, gear manufacturers, and safety experts, the Gladiator 911 meets the real-world needs of fire departments. It delivers maximum cleaning power balanced with gentle care for expensive gear.

Minimizing Exposure to The Harmful Substances

The Gladiator 911 helps to decrease contaminants like soot, chemicals, and carcinogens that cling to gear after fires. The comprehensive cleaning minimizes exposure to these harmful substances, reducing health risks for firefighters.

Widely Available Replacement Parts

The Gladiator 911 also uses standard industrial-grade components readily available on the market. This wide availability makes replacement parts easy to purchase if needed and ensures simple and affordable long-term maintenance.

Low Maintenance

With its durable stainless steel construction and readily accessible components, this washer requires minimal maintenance over decades of use. Keeping the machine in top operating condition is easy.

Lifetime Warranty and Reliable Support

The shell of the Gladiator 911—made of 304 stainless steel—resists rusting and corrosion. We are so confident in this construction that we offer a lifetime warranty on the shell. If something goes wrong, we will repair it at no cost to you.

Essential replaceable parts like the heater, drive motor, and pump are made in the USA and come with a two-year guarantee. If any of these parts fail within that period, we will replace or repair them for free. The comprehensive coverage we offer provides you with peace of mind.

GLADIATOR 911 VS. EXTRACTOR WASHERS

Extractor washers traditionally clean just pants and jackets. The Gladiator 911 takes a more comprehensive approach. In one efficient cycle, its 55-gallon tank cleans helmets, boots, SCBA tanks/masks, and tools. The all-in-one cleaning saves time while ensuring thorough washing after every use.

For departments running frequent calls, the Gladiator's capacity to clean multiple full sets per cycle is a significant advantage over standard extractors. This flexibility boosts productivity and reduces equipment contamination risks.

GLADIATOR 911: THE FUTURE OF FIREFIGHTING GEAR CLEANING

The Gladiator 911 firefighting gear washer helps free up manpower and provides more consistent cleanliness levels than hand washing alone. Click below to learn more about the value our innovative gear washer will bring to your firehouse.