Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


View Poll Results: What kind of brakes does your bus have?
Hydraulic 131 37.97%
Pneumatic 201 58.26%
Electric 3 0.87%
Other 10 2.90%
Voters: 345. You may not vote on this poll

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 03-12-2007, 09:04 AM   #21
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: The Texas Borderland
Posts: 43
Year: 90
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Air brakes here, had one with hydraulic and was barely adequate once I got it loaded and towed my jeep. Had to make a couple quick stops in the new bus, much better. Some people seem to want to justify their choices by telling everyone else he is right and we are wrong. A skoolie is a personal choice and can be configured in whatever way suites the owner and their needs. It's a freedom thing. Dont f#@k with my freedom man!

Excalibrate is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2007, 07:53 PM   #22
Bus Geek
 
the_experience03's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Saint James, MN
Posts: 2,669
Send a message via MSN to the_experience03 Send a message via Yahoo to the_experience03
Re: What kind of brakes does your bus have?

250 hp Cummins? Do you have a 6CT or ISC (8.3 liter) in 30 passenger bus? Very cool if you do.
__________________
https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3024/...09f20d39_m.jpg
Skooling it...one state at a time...
the_experience03 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-19-2007, 12:41 PM   #23
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 758
Re: What kind of brakes does your bus have?

As a School Bus Conversion rookie I am finding this thread of great interest. Air-brakes verse hydraulic brakes is something I have been considering myself while researching this subject. I have worked on both types, hydraulics on cars and pick-up trucks, air-brakes on railroad cars. Both are easy to maintain. Hydraulics are well known, air-brakes (for the railroad) would require regularly scheduled COT&S (clean, oil, test and stencil) maintenance. Linkages and shoes would be visually inspected, bearing surfaces (fulcrums) would be cleaned and oiled. One end of the rail car (the B end) would have the airline plugged. The other end of the car (the A end) would be hooked up to an airline that ran through test gauges to bring the air-brake system up to the required specs. (pressure). The test would consist of testing if the cars air system would hold the required pressure (10 minute test). Then the brake system would be actuated and the shoes would be visually inspected for hitting the wheels properly. The linkages would or would not be adjusted and then the emergency system would be tested by simulating a complete air dump. When the car's air system received the proper inspection, maintenance and testing the test date was then painted (stenciled) on the car.

If something in the air brakes system didn't meet the Federal requirements then it would be adjusted or replaced to within tolerances for linkages and shoes. Air valves would require replacement of sections/parts of the valves and so forth. This consisted of loosening a few bolts and/or nuts, replacing a few O-rings and/or valve parts. The replaced valve parts would be sent back to the factory for rebuilding. The linkages and shoes would be replaced with new or used (again depending on Federal requirements) then be sent out for recycling. All in all the air-brakes were easy to maintain and repair once the system becomes well know by the mechanic, in the case of Skoolies, that mechanic may well be the owner/operator.
Abbott is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2007, 10:45 AM   #24
Skoolie
 
DizzyIzzy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Atlanta or Oregon
Posts: 157
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Chevorlet AT545 Allison auto
Engine: 8.2 litter Detriot Deisel
Rated Cap: 66
Send a message via AIM to DizzyIzzy Send a message via MSN to DizzyIzzy Send a message via Yahoo to DizzyIzzy
Re: What kind of brakes does your bus have?

I have hydraulic brakes. I like them because I know how to work on them. I find it is best to know what your in for. Now by the time I replace this bus I might think of Air, But for now I like hydraulic. And I don't plan on a another bus for at least 5 years.
__________________
"Escapin' through the lily fields
I came across an empty space
It trembled and exploded
Left a bus stop in its place
The bus came by and I got on
That's when it all began
There was cowboy Neal
At the wheel
Of a bus to never-ever land"
DizzyIzzy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2007, 08:09 PM   #25
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 213
Re: What kind of brakes does your bus have?

Air Brakes

87 Bluebird Chevy C60 chassis
hoser is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2007, 12:08 PM   #26
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: New England
Posts: 1,009
Year: 1993
Coachwork: Ward Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/MT643
Rated Cap: 77
Re: What kind of brakes does your bus have?

Uh-oh. This is not good. I have bad news...I think you have the dreaded Lucas-Gierling brake system. Do you have a pull knob (like air brakes) for parking? Do you have a hydroboost or electric booter at the master cylinder?

Get a L-G brake manual, and MEMORIZE it. Any shop charges an arm, a leg, and your nuts to service these brakes.
__________________
Jarlaxle
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Optimism is a mental disorder.
Jarlaxle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-16-2007, 04:35 PM   #27
Bus Geek
 
the_experience03's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Saint James, MN
Posts: 2,669
Send a message via MSN to the_experience03 Send a message via Yahoo to the_experience03
Re: What kind of brakes does your bus have?

That sure sounds like every L-G brake system I've heard of. I don't know why Ford insisted on using it so much. In theory it's a great system, but in practice it proved to have its issues. Don't let that turn you off at all. Just be aware that the system is a little less common and make sure you understand how it works. Also, check that big main pipe that carried fluid back to the chambers to back off the parking brake and sure it isn't corroded. Everything I've read points to that as the most common failure point bringing you to a rather abrupt halt.
__________________
https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3024/...09f20d39_m.jpg
Skooling it...one state at a time...
the_experience03 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-16-2007, 10:27 PM   #28
Bus Geek
 
the_experience03's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Saint James, MN
Posts: 2,669
Send a message via MSN to the_experience03 Send a message via Yahoo to the_experience03
Re: What kind of brakes does your bus have?

The ones I have heard of having problems are the ones that actually use a large steel pipe to plumb the pressure back. I have never heard of a rubber version, but that most CERTAINLY doesn't mean it exists. If it is in fact a rubber line you might just be lucky enough not to have problems as I believe this is the retrofit most people go with....30 feet of hydraulic hose to replace the pipe.
__________________
https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3024/...09f20d39_m.jpg
Skooling it...one state at a time...
the_experience03 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2007, 08:22 PM   #29
Mini-Skoolie
 
BBTC2K's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Ocoee, FL
Posts: 27
Year: 1983
Coachwork: GMC
Chassis: RTSII
Engine: 6V92TA
Rated Cap: 55
Send a message via AIM to BBTC2K Send a message via Yahoo to BBTC2K
Re: What kind of brakes does your bus have?

Mine has good old air brakes...drum and "S" cams. Simple to change those out...The key is to REALLY lube up the rollers and the roll points. We use anti-sieze at the garage. works wonders. Changing out the rear air chambers can be deadly if you arent careful, but it is a relatively fast job. My bus uses nylon line just about everywhere. easy to repair those too. I may have learned a little too much about them... Mine has automaic slack adjusters on it so I don't have to crawl under it except to check the lining, and our company always removes the backing plates to allow for better cooling, so its a snap to check them

shawn
__________________
School Bus Driver/Instructor/Mechanic...

proud single custodial dad to 18yr old son Jeremey, who wants to try his hand at driving my RTS
BBTC2K is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-15-2008, 07:32 PM   #30
New Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 2
Year: 69
Coachwork: Wayne/Ward
Chassis: Dodge/International
Engine: 361/7.1
Rated Cap: 66
Re: What kind of brakes does your bus have?

Which pedal is the break?

My new bus is hydrolic, my old bus is air, I have hauled 1 ton of water with air breaks, is there anyone that thinks 1 ton of water would not be so wise with conventional hydrolc breaks?
Caibel23 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-15-2008, 08:33 PM   #31
Bus Geek
 
the_experience03's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Saint James, MN
Posts: 2,669
Send a message via MSN to the_experience03 Send a message via Yahoo to the_experience03
Re: What kind of brakes does your bus have?

1 ton of water is nothing. You have a bigger hydraboost brake system than your everyday 1 ton truck and they can currently handle a payload in the neighborhood of well over 4000 lbs. As long as you aren't exceeding the GVWR of the bus I don't think it will be an issue safety-wise.

Now as far as legality I'm not sure. With water you're probably ok, but make sure there isn't a restriction on unbaffled tanks or on the total number of gallons you can haul without a CDL with tank endorsement. I think you should be just fine at about 250 gallons.
__________________
https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3024/...09f20d39_m.jpg
Skooling it...one state at a time...
the_experience03 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-17-2008, 04:11 AM   #32
New Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Okanagan B.C Canada.
Posts: 8
Year: 1966
Coachwork: Chevrolet
Chassis: Blue Bird
Engine: 454
Rated Cap: 43
Re: What kind of brakes does your bus have?

Hydraulics. And after reading someones post in this thread. New parts and brake lines for my baby ! WHOAAA BUS !!!! Good Girl.
IsolationRide is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-24-2008, 08:53 AM   #33
Bus Geek
 
lapeer20m's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: near flint michigan
Posts: 2,657
Re: What kind of brakes does your bus have?

I had 2 buses in my driveway that had diesel engines, gvw over 28K, and hydraulic brakes. Phill's bus also is diesel, big, perhaps 81 passenger, and has hydraulic brakes.

There is a good backup braking system on these buses. it's a 12 volt hydraulic assist mechanism.

I've also had a couple of buses that have air brakes and have similiar gvw's to the other buses.

so weight doesn't seem to play much of a role......it's more a matter of what the school district prefers when they order their buses.
__________________
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes (who will watch the watchmen?)
lapeer20m is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-24-2008, 09:07 AM   #34
Bus Geek
 
the_experience03's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Saint James, MN
Posts: 2,669
Send a message via MSN to the_experience03 Send a message via Yahoo to the_experience03
Re: What kind of brakes does your bus have?

Here in the north country buses operate almost exclusively with hydraulic brakes. Replacing rusted out hydraulic lines seems to be preferable to dealing with frozen brake components. -20 F is not an uncommonly low temperature in this neck of the woods during morning pickups and the buses need to be reliable at that temperature.

Anyone have any idea what the cost difference is between the two systems?
__________________
https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3024/...09f20d39_m.jpg
Skooling it...one state at a time...
the_experience03 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-01-2008, 10:25 PM   #35
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 40
Year: 1959
Coachwork: superior
Chassis: international
Engine: 468 c.i. BBchevy
Rated Cap: 66
Re: What kind of brakes does your bus have?

My 1959 Superior with International chassis has Hydrovac brakes. I feel I should upgrade but they can sit for years and always work.
Navistate is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-02-2008, 09:24 AM   #36
Bus Geek
 
lapeer20m's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: near flint michigan
Posts: 2,657
Re: What kind of brakes does your bus have?

only slightly off topic.....

i just started a new job as a professional firefighter/paramedic. I was very intrigued by the braking systems on our ambulances. They are similiar to this one here:



basically a bus chassis, just a little shorter and for a different purpose.

anyhow, the brake system is new to me. It has air ride suspension, and a regular engine driven compressor, and you set the parking brake with the familiar air brake knob you hear "whoosh* when you set the parking brake. Now for the strange part......When you turn the key on and the engine is off, i can hear the familiar sound of an electric over hydraulic backup brake booster. hmmmmm. After researching, i found that the ambulance has hydraulic disk brakes.

so, it has

air ride suspension

air parking brakes

hydraulic primary brakes, with abs

wierd!

i'd love to buy one when they are taken out of service. These cummins 5.9 engines and 6 speed electronic transmissions rock! They do 85 or 90 mph right now!
__________________
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes (who will watch the watchmen?)
lapeer20m is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-02-2008, 07:33 PM   #37
Bus Geek
 
the_experience03's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Saint James, MN
Posts: 2,669
Send a message via MSN to the_experience03 Send a message via Yahoo to the_experience03
Re: What kind of brakes does your bus have?

Does it have air over hydraulic? That's actually a fairly common setup. I suppose they could be air screw style discs, but you wouldn't have a master cylinder then so you would know. Neither option really explains the backup motor noise though I don't think.
__________________
https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3024/...09f20d39_m.jpg
Skooling it...one state at a time...
the_experience03 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-04-2008, 05:47 PM   #38
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: New England
Posts: 1,009
Year: 1993
Coachwork: Ward Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/MT643
Rated Cap: 77
Re: What kind of brakes does your bus have?

They're a common MDT and shuttle bus setup, air-assist hydraulic. The shuttle company I worked for had five buses (three IH 3800's with T444E/AT545's, one Freightliner FB65 with 5.9 Cummins/Allison 1000, one GMC C5500 with 6.6 Duramax/A1000) with that setup.
__________________
Jarlaxle
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Optimism is a mental disorder.
Jarlaxle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2009, 05:55 PM   #39
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 39
Year: 1993
Coachwork: genesis
Chassis: international harvester
Engine: DT466
Rated Cap: 84
Re: What kind of brakes does your bus have?

air brakes on mine like them very much so far
dieselman69 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-13-2010, 06:11 PM   #40
Skoolie
 
busdriver_phil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Northeast CT
Posts: 201
Year: 1999
Coachwork: AmTran RE
Chassis: International
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 72
Re: What kind of brakes does your bus have?

I'm jealous of your Jake. I briefly owned a 72 Crown tandem-axle, Detroit 671/5sp stick, for historic preservation purposes. Sold it to a friend who was in a better position to restore it. I'd love to get one for the Skoolie project but my bus nut friends would kill me if I ever chopped up a Crown to make an RV. They're a page out of history, and I think us bus nuts should preserve as many as possible. On the other hand, they're lots of fun to drive, and I'd rather see one enjoyed in its second life as a nice camper than go to the scrapyard.

As for brakes, I think any bus longer than 6 rows should have air. Air brakes are more powerful, and have the spring-applied failsafe that will stop the bus in most brake failure situations. Medium-duty vehicles (buses, straight trucks) can be ordered with either air or hydraulic. Heavy-duty vehicles (tractor trailers, larger straight trucks, and don't forget trains) always have air - that tells me something.

I had a brake line blow out on a hydraulic school bus - I was able to stop using the other half of the dual system, but it was pretty scary feeling the pedal go to the floor. The parking brake is designed to stop the bus in an emergency, but I've seen those cables snap when applied for normal parking and let go while buses were parked. In normal use, the adjustable handle (twist the knob at the end of the lever to increase or decrease pressure) tends to loosen up, and some brakes may be "applied" with less than enough force. Most parking brakes are mounted on the driveshaft, and any driveshaft or rear axle failure could render the parking brake useless.

If you blow an air line, you can pull the park knob for a full rear brake application. It won't be the smoothest stop, but unless you're on snow or ice it won't lock the wheels. If anything breaks on the system, aside from a failure of the rear brake components, the parking brake will keep the bus from moving until you get enough air in the system.

For the record, school buses are offered in nearly every size with either hydraulic or air brakes. Gas engines usually had hydrovac. Air was an option on gas buses, but rare. Ford buses ordered with hydraulic from the 80s-90s nearly always had the Lucas-Girling system. Some heavy-duty transit-type buses are only available with air, but I've seen models up to 40 ft (84 capacity) with hydraulic. Internationals from the late 90s and early 2000s could be ordered with hydraulic service brakes but an air parking brake - this was driveshaft-mounted but spring-applied and air-released (other manufacturers also offer this system in buses and trucks). Since 05, International has used a power hydraulic brake system (in lieu of the optional air brakes) which includes a spring-applied electric-hydraulic driveshaft parking brake, and gives the pedal more of an air brake type feel.
__________________
The conversion of Miss Euphegenia, a 1999 AmTran RE: https://www.skoolie.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5704
busdriver_phil is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
How to Adust Air Brakes ( Check Brakes ) lapeer20m Conversion Tutorials and How-to's 6 10-04-2013 01:10 PM
RE: BUS WITH AIR BRAKES AND TRAILER WITH ELECTRIC BRAKES? XE1UFO Conversion General Discussions 3 07-21-2010 11:55 AM
what kind of bus dieselman69 Conversion General Discussions 4 11-15-2008 01:53 PM
Striping... and not the fun kind... Fifer Conversion General Discussions 1 03-24-2008 03:37 PM
1 of a kind 1 of a kind Skoolie Conversion Projects 2 09-09-2007 10:11 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:03 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.