Well let me try and respond without upsetting everyone.
Tillerman is correct, taking handles off is just someone's opinion being forced upon everyone, have a look at the movie files on the Akron website and you'll see why they have the handle.
The guy from Greenhill moved to Qld.
And yes they should be serviced, there are two types of service. A field service kit is available for the Akron ($80 approx) and a major service kit (should be done by a tech).
Oh and for the record, the No1 selling branch in SA....TB25, how is that you may ask? Well contrary to previous statements, they are in fact easier to use, service and maintain, and also contrary to many peoples thoughts, there are more than two fire services in SA. The industrial fire sector is huge, think mines, gas plants, aviation etc and the amounts of equipment they require for people of different levels of training is huge. Hence the reason they go for the TB25 for all their basic fire needs, only their firies get the more tricked up gear.
Have I offended anyone? Maybe i'm not trying hard enough