The Mack Super Pumper System is the world's most powerful land-based fire fighting equipment. Ath the time, the FDNY purchased the Super Pumper System for $875,000. It was developed by Mack Trucks, Inc. from a conception by William Francis Gibbs, president of Gibbs & Cox, Navel Architects and Marine Engineers. The system consists of five pieces of apparatus including the Super Pumper, Super Tender and three Satellite Tenders.

When attempting to fight fires at places that there were no hydrants, it was difficult to lay enough hose or to bring enough fire companies to the scene of the fire to effectively control it. The Super Pumper could be as far as 10 city blocks from the fire and draw its water from a primary source such as a harbor, lake, river or from 4 or 8 hydrants depending on whether high volume or high pressure is desired.

The Super Pumper consisted of a tractor and a trailer unit coupled together. The tractor was a Mack F715ST model and was altered to be used as a fire fighting apparatus. The tractor engine was a Mack END864, four stroke diesel engine developing 255 HP at 2300 RPM. It was put together with an Allison CLT 4460 semi-automatic transmission.

The Super Tender consisted of a Mack tractor similar to the Super Pumper and had a 10,000 gpm water canon mounted on it. Due to the capabilities of putting out so much water, hydraulic outriggers were attached to the chassis frame. The trailer was connected by a fifth wheel and was divided into two sections. The forward section was compartmented to carry firefighting equipment. The rear section carried 2,000 feet of 4 1/2" hose in a conventional flat hose bed. Under the hose compartment were four 4 1/2" manifolds which went through check valves and an air operated pressure reducing valve to the Siamese connections at the sides of the trailer to enable low pressure hose use (100 psi). The trailer was able to be disconnected from the tractor to allow both pieces to work independently from each other and maximizing its capability. Maneuverability of the Super Tender was enhanced with the rear wheels being hydraulically steerable from a tillerman position at the rear of the trailer. This was removed by the FDNY after the Super Tender entered service.

Three Satellite Tender Unites were used to complete the Super Pumper System. The first Satellites used were similar to the 1958 Mack C pumpers but had no pump. Each Satellite Tender Unit carried 2000' of 4 1/2" hose. They were equipped with 4,000 gpm water canons. Tips used on these water canons were 2", 2 1/2" 3", 3 1/2", 4" and two fog tips rated at 700 gpm and 2000 gpm respectively. Satellite Tender Units stretched 4 1/2" hose from conventional pumpers which in turn would supply water to the water canons or the 6 way manifold. The 6 way manifolds provided an easy way in which hand lines could connect to the Satellite Tender Units. The manifolds were usually placed in front of the fire buildings.