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The Halligan is by far one of the most versatile tools on the fireground. There may be that rare occasion when the standard 30†Halligan just can’t get the job done. Trust me, it’s rare but it could happen. Pictured above is a commercially sold 54†Halligan. Personally I haven’t been faced with a situation that would make me carry it regularly, but it’s nice to know that it’s on the rig.
Another viable option is also pictured above. It involves using two Halligan’s simultaneously. It’s just like adding a cheater bar to the Halligan. When forcing an outward swinging door, place the first Halligan as usual. If more leverage is needed, place another Halligan’s forks into the first Halliagn’s forks. Now two people can easily apply force to the tool set. It’s helpful if one firefighter places a hand over the forks to keep them engaged. It may look ugly but it gets the job done. –Jimm-
I love showing this to all the non-believers of the Halligan!!!
great tip. just a quick note though, this tecnique only works with the type of halligan shown. whick some refer to as a PRO BAR.
My buddy is on a truck co. in Queens and he told me they use the long halligan for burglar bars & security gates.
Happy New Year!!! Wish everyone a safe & healthy year…
It probaly goes without saying but it maybe worth mentioning.The article above suggest to first “set” the initial haligan as usuall. this is important because if you marry the two pro bars in the same direction (as in picture above) the opposing pick will interfere with adz being able to “set” into jamb. by rotating the second pro bar 180* before marrying them. now the adz can be BURIED (as it should be) with the pick from second tool not getting in the way. this sounds more complicated than it really is basically just make sure the second tool is opposing if you build the cheater before you set it.
What did you use to make the tool wrap on the handle of the Halligan bar?
Jason,
we wrap our tools first with Oxygen tubing (preferred)or rope. then its wrapped with a good quality sports tape. Tape also comes in colors to make company specific such as red, blue ect….JP
Also note that one fireman should hold where the bars are married (with a gloved hand) so you know when it is about to break loose. Additionally when it comes time to break them loose. Just drop the married bars on the ground and they will break apart most of the time.
Another kind of Halligan Bar (Caution – annoying music).
It wasn’t open when you were up here (it’s across the street from Barleycorn’s, which we did go to.)
And… if you do happen to “seat” them together really well using this trick, you’ll discover that the two Halligans are permanently married unless you know the “other trick” to separate them… just give them a solid toss onto the pavement and they’ll bounce apart. Or, give them to your two biggest knuckle-draggers and giggle while they try to pull them apart for hours!! Be safe Brothers!
I was assigned to Ladder 108 in Brooklyn back in the 80’s and we used to two Halligan methods until we welded two together to form the longer leverage version. We used this tool for the extra leverage when appropriate, but at the time it was used to remove a type of lock (Medeco) that was used to secure Roll Up type security doors. The lock was designed as the pin as well as locking mechanism in the roll up. It had the appearance of a Hockey Puck (American) lock. If you were to cut the hockey puck portion of the lock off, the remainder of the lock (pin) would remain in place. With the elongated hooligan(s) we were able to pull the entire mechanism from the door and then raise the roll up for entry and ventilation.
Jason,
The oxygen tubing works well, but another trick is to take hockey tape and spin it into a cord. Wrap that around your tool and then tape over with the hockey tape. This is just in case you want a smaller rib for grip.
researching new equipment for my dept. wanting to know where i can buy one of these king size halligan’s or if its even on the market??
Brian,
Look at Fire Hooks Unlimited. They make the BEST tools, hands down, and their prices are very reasonable. http://firehooksunlimited.net/ The 54″ Halligan is on the “Pro-Bar” page of their site. Any of their authorized dealers can get you anything they make.
Be safe brother.
Through a lot of research, we’ve discovered that the Pro-Bars are the only ones that truly marry together well. When trying to interlock other bars at the forks, we encountered problems with keeping them together as well as breaking the pins on the Zico bars.
I prefer to leave the halligan bar unwrapped for two reasons. 1) dark or smoky condition inside while forcing a door, the ax can be rested upon the bar and driven into the shoulder of the fork end eliminating a missed swing and a hand injury. 2) I like a shackle secured over the bar, it moves freely so that I can quickley attach a rope for outside venting and it gives me a quick attachment point for my escape rope If I need to bail from an upper floor.
Bill B, beat me to the punch, I was just going to comment on the grip tape. I cant aggree with you more about the latest trend to tape the halligan handles, it actually LIMITS the use of the halligan in my opinion in the way Bill B stated. I feel it’s critical to be able to slide your axe down the handle to the fork,in not only smoky environments, but tight spots where you cannot strike the adze end. (This technique, by the way, requires you to square off the fork end a bit with an angle grinder).
There have been plenty of times (especially using the “baseball bat swing” method on wood doors) where my hands sliding down the handle was a huge advantage. Also when you are applying force to the halligan you are ususlly gripping the far end of the tool for max leverage anyway, no where near the tape. I’ve been asking the newer guys every time I see this trend “why” and never really get an answer!
Hooks and Mauls, etc. the grip tape can be extremely advantageous when maintained, and I can’t say enough good about this practice, so please don’t get that confused with halligan grip tape.
Our halligans in our dept are also kept spotless at all times (i.e. probies!) without any paint also. This not only is used as a sign of Co. pride for us but keeps the tool easier to clean when used heavily. And in my years of service I’ve never seen a halligan used lightly!
Another great discussion, thanks for letting me put my 2 cents in, stay safe brothers.
I’d have to agree mostly with Bill B. The wrap job as depicted is too much. A little bit can be useful, if you leave enough strike room for the forks. Ch Halligan designed his tool to have a hexagonal, then octagonal shaft to enhance gripping the tool. Today’s fire gloves usually limit our dexterity, especially when they are wet. In that case, buy better gloves. email me if you would like a suggestion for one of the best gloves going. OFDWJL@aol.com. In either case, work with your tools as though you were in the actual environment so that you know how they are going to work. Be safe!