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07-20-2017, 09:28 AM
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#2601
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Kemper County, MS
Posts: 43
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I really wish I was "ready" financially today.
Good ol' SOUTHERN busses......
https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...timingWithin=1
__________________
Just starting out. Hope I can help others and learn.
My twitter: @DixieBushcraft
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DixieBushcraft/
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07-20-2017, 12:44 PM
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#2602
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: SW New Hampshire
Posts: 1,334
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a few nice buses in WA
Look on govdeals.com; click on "Buses, Transit and School"; click the "Location" column to sort by state. Go to the last page (you should be able to click "Location" twice to get descending sort but you can't). There are 3 Blue Bird RE buses in Renton and 2 in Tumwater. The Tumwater buses are less than 36 hours from end of auction; the Renton buses are 5 days out; all are currently under $2K. They look nice; all of them say that they start and run. Caveat - all say that the mileage is unknown and you can't believe either the dash odo or the hub odo. All have Cummins 8.3's and Allison 3000 series trans from the look of the shift quadrant. (Is there an Allison 3000 series trans found in a bus that is NOT a 3060?) All have 5.38 rears.
I have some questions for the wisdom of the crowd:
All are dataplated as 22.5x8.5 tires; all have 22.5x11.5 from the pics. Any problem with that?
What is a "Hurrihot" heater? forced air or Webasto-type?
What's the additional hardware surrounding the parking brake valve? (see picture)
Man, if I wasn't wrapped around the axle getting Mom into assisted living.....
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07-20-2017, 03:31 PM
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#2603
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Winlcok, WA
Posts: 2,233
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sockeye
Hi, my first post so hope I'm doing this right, let me know gently if I'm not. I've been dreaming of a shorty but am not in a position to buy one yet -still I have alerts set up on craigslist and kijiji so I just saw this one posted 8 hours ago in Vancouver - Surrey actually - Oh did I mention I'm from Canada...I rarely see any posts for this country so thought maybe someone would be interested. But here's the thing, I have no idea if this is a good engine but I'm trying to learn what would be a good engine/transmission on a short bus so without further blah blah blah here it is a 2002 GMC Savana 3500 Turbo Diesel 24 passenger school bus - $10998
https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/rds/...222435831.html
oh dang, is this the infamous 'orphan engine'?
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The 6.5L in a G3500/4500 chassis is definitely an orphan. And at that price it needs to be avoided at all costs.
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07-20-2017, 03:39 PM
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#2604
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Winlcok, WA
Posts: 2,233
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dan-fox
Look on govdeals.com; click on "Buses, Transit and School"; click the "Location" column to sort by state. Go to the last page (you should be able to click "Location" twice to get descending sort but you can't). There are 3 Blue Bird RE buses in Renton and 2 in Tumwater. The Tumwater buses are less than 36 hours from end of auction; the Renton buses are 5 days out; all are currently under $2K. They look nice; all of them say that they start and run. Caveat - all say that the mileage is unknown and you can't believe either the dash odo or the hub odo. All have Cummins 8.3's and Allison 3000 series trans from the look of the shift quadrant. (Is there an Allison 3000 series trans found in a bus that is NOT a 3060?) All have 5.38 rears.
I have some questions for the wisdom of the crowd:
All are dataplated as 22.5x8.5 tires; all have 22.5x11.5 from the pics. Any problem with that?
What is a "Hurrihot" heater? forced air or Webasto-type?
What's the additional hardware surrounding the parking brake valve? (see picture)
Man, if I wasn't wrapped around the axle getting Mom into assisted living.....
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22.5x8.5 is the size of the wheel. The tires could be 10.00x22.5, 11.00x22.5, or 12.00x22.5
Hurrihot was the brand of heaters used by Blue Bird. They are forced air through a heater core and not a fuel fired heater like a Webasto.
If the bus has the ISC it will have the heavier duty transmission and will not have the AT540, 1000, or 2000 series transmissions. If the quadrant shows more than 4 gears then it is not an MT643.
If the choice came down to a Tumwater bus and a Renton bus, leave the Renton bus alone. Tumwater has been known for spe'c'ing their buses heavier than others and they have a reputation of keeping their buses in tip top condition. Renton is not known in the same way.
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07-20-2017, 08:56 PM
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#2605
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,758
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
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I *WISH* my bluebird had Hurri-Hot heaters but instead im stuck with the newer style POS Bergstrom / Kysor crap..
my door heater is a Hurri-Hot.. but the main one isnt..
-Christopher
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07-21-2017, 08:29 AM
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#2606
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: SW New Hampshire
Posts: 1,334
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FWIW, there are also a handful of 40' Bluebird AARE's on PublicSurplus from Eugene OR. All are Cummins 8.3/Allison MD3060. The difference that catches my eye is that the Eugene buses all have a duct/tunnel construction intruding into the passenger compartment at the rear to pick up cleaner air from farther off the ground. The air is always better at the higher altitudes, I suppose. But they're good looking buses for the crowd that's looking for that setup.
Until I saw the Renton/Tumwater buses I thought that you had to buy a Thomas to avoid getting that ductwork impinging on your master bedroom. It might be a small thing overall, but it's definitely points in favor or against for me. Now that I know I can get that how I want that in a BlueBird, I won't be such a Thomas snob.
My earlier question remains: On the Renton/Tumwater/Govdeals buses, what's the extra trigger-looking thingie on the parking brake knob? TIA
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07-21-2017, 01:32 PM
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#2607
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dan-fox
FWIW, there are also a handful of 40' Bluebird AARE's on PublicSurplus from Eugene OR. All are Cummins 8.3/Allison MD3060. The difference that catches my eye is that the Eugene buses all have a duct/tunnel construction intruding into the passenger compartment at the rear to pick up cleaner air from farther off the ground. The air is always better at the higher altitudes, I suppose. But they're good looking buses for the crowd that's looking for that setup.
Until I saw the Renton/Tumwater buses I thought that you had to buy a Thomas to avoid getting that ductwork impinging on your master bedroom. It might be a small thing overall, but it's definitely points in favor or against for me. Now that I know I can get that how I want that in a BlueBird, I won't be such a Thomas snob.
My earlier question remains: On the Renton/Tumwater/Govdeals buses, what's the extra trigger-looking thingie on the parking brake knob? TIA
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That ductwork would be the least of my concerns. To me the condition, how it was kept, how is equipped are the most important. Air ride is a must for me, as is high headroom and highway capable gearing. All the rest can be dealt with.
Just my opinion but I'm not a fan of Thomas buses. Just personal preference.
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07-21-2017, 01:38 PM
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#2608
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 1,497
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: Bluebird
Engine: 5.9 Cummins 24v
Rated Cap: 72 pax
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB
That ductwork would be the least of my concerns. To me the condition, how it was kept, how is equipped are the most important. Air ride is a must for me, as is high headroom and highway capable gearing. All the rest can be dealt with.
Just my opinion but I'm not a fan of Thomas buses. Just personal preference.
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All bluebird AA are air ride rear and front after 2002, I was told by a dealer.
Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
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07-21-2017, 03:56 PM
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#2609
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: SW New Hampshire
Posts: 1,334
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All the stuff on Govdeals and PublicSurplus that I spoke of are 98-99 IIRC. I don't remember any mention of air ride on them.
I have no intention of buying a rusty clunker just because it has the ducting I want. I hear you on that. But, my perfect bus is my perfect bus, and it doesn't have any of that in it. To me, it's good news that I can find BBs with the desired configuration since a roof raise is easier on one of those than it is a Thomas.
Most of these buses have 5.38 rear ends, which is not ideal. But, you can work with that also. Either change out the rear or unlock 6th. My fingers are crossed about some member's current attempt to unlock 6th by shipping the TCM off to an aftermarket outfit. Changing the way the engine breathes by deleting one of those ducts is a greater roll of the dice IMHO.
But, what do I know? I don't even own a bus.
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07-21-2017, 04:02 PM
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#2610
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
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5.38 is ok when you have OD.
As well outfitted as they are I can't imagine them not having air ride.
I'd buy em if they weren't completely on the other corner of the country!
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07-21-2017, 04:08 PM
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#2611
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: SW New Hampshire
Posts: 1,334
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB
5.38 is ok when you have OD.
As well outfitted as they are I can't imagine them not having air ride.
I'd buy em if they weren't completely on the other corner of the country!
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Me too. I've got the bux, but no time for the cross country adventure and no place to put it here in the Land of the Overly Entitled. I've got a buddy trying to chat up a friend of his on the Eastern Shore about storing one on his property, which would put it 60-75 minutes away from me. Not ideal, but better than nothing. I would have weekend visitation right.
But this weekend is dedicated to making my Mother's new one-bedroom apartment look enough like her old 2 bedroom apartment that she won't notice the difference when she "comes home from rehab" on Monday. Also hope she doesn't notice the nurse's station down the hall.
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07-21-2017, 04:49 PM
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#2612
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
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Sorry to hear about that. I know how tough it can be dealing with an elderly or disabled loved one.
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07-21-2017, 05:11 PM
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#2613
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,758
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
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I have to wonder if my scan tool can unlock 6th on those older TCMs like the MD-3060s.. I know I cant touch the 2009+ A53 TCM;s.. I dont know anyone nearby with a 3060 to try it on..
-Christopher
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07-21-2017, 05:30 PM
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#2614
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cadillackid
I have to wonder if my scan tool can unlock 6th on those older TCMs like the MD-3060s.. I know I cant touch the 2009+ A53 TCM;s.. I dont know anyone nearby with a 3060 to try it on..
-Christopher
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I started to get excited until I read the "nearby" part....
On another subject......
FWIW: On the Oregon & Washington buses I have not seen much rust. Here on the west side we don't get much snow. The only place I see salt/chemicals on the road is going over the mountain passes. Those Blubirds in Renton & Tumwater look pretty nice to me.
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07-21-2017, 05:31 PM
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#2615
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 1,497
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: Bluebird
Engine: 5.9 Cummins 24v
Rated Cap: 72 pax
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cadillackid
I have to wonder if my scan tool can unlock 6th on those older TCMs like the MD-3060s.. I know I cant touch the 2009+ A53 TCM;s.. I dont know anyone nearby with a 3060 to try it on..
-Christopher
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Hey come on up to Massachusetts, you can try on mine lol
Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
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07-21-2017, 05:32 PM
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#2616
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PNW_Steve
I started to get excited until I read the "nearby" part....
On another subject......
FWIW: On the Oregon & Washington buses I have not seen much rust. Here on the west side we don't get much snow. The only place I see salt/chemicals on the road is going over the mountain passes. Those Blubirds in Renton & Tumwater look pretty nice to me.
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I want one of the renton buses. Anyone wanna drive a bus cross country???
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07-21-2017, 05:43 PM
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#2617
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,758
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
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that would be a fun drive!!
as for the TCM's id have to see what version they are to see if I can bench harness them..
when I was looking at the calibrations on mine, its real easy to disable 6th gear.. you simply set the 6th gear enable Cal at a higher level speed than the bus will ever reach.. I have no idea if thats what allison does or not.. they may have some sneaky way to do it..
theres a ton to take in when it comes to tuning in these things.. lots and lots of conditional data tables..
-Christopher
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07-21-2017, 05:49 PM
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#2618
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 1,497
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: Bluebird
Engine: 5.9 Cummins 24v
Rated Cap: 72 pax
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cadillackid
that would be a fun drive!!
as for the TCM's id have to see what version they are to see if I can bench harness them..
when I was looking at the calibrations on mine, its real easy to disable 6th gear.. you simply set the 6th gear enable Cal at a higher level speed than the bus will ever reach.. I have no idea if thats what allison does or not.. they may have some sneaky way to do it..
theres a ton to take in when it comes to tuning in these things.. lots and lots of conditional data tables..
-Christopher
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Could it be that simple? Just putting a very high - low limit? Everything I have heard about these transmissions are that Allison dealers need a code of some sort from Allison Corp... Could it just needs they need permission to cya?
Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
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07-21-2017, 06:31 PM
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#2619
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,758
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
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it could be.. im fairly new at allison.. but when I pulled the calibrations up for my 6 speed i didnt see anything about locking it out.. but I did notice you can set the shift point to 6th gear at any throttle position to zero.. and it wont shift to 6th.. and that works because I just tried it driving to starbucks here
-Christopher
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07-21-2017, 06:43 PM
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#2620
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Winlcok, WA
Posts: 2,233
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dan-fox
FWIW, there are also a handful of 40' Bluebird AARE's on PublicSurplus from Eugene OR. All are Cummins 8.3/Allison MD3060. The difference that catches my eye is that the Eugene buses all have a duct/tunnel construction intruding into the passenger compartment at the rear to pick up cleaner air from farther off the ground. The air is always better at the higher altitudes, I suppose. But they're good looking buses for the crowd that's looking for that setup.
Until I saw the Renton/Tumwater buses I thought that you had to buy a Thomas to avoid getting that ductwork impinging on your master bedroom. It might be a small thing overall, but it's definitely points in favor or against for me. Now that I know I can get that how I want that in a BlueBird, I won't be such a Thomas snob.
My earlier question remains: On the Renton/Tumwater/Govdeals buses, what's the extra trigger-looking thingie on the parking brake knob? TIA
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In WA state, before you can open the service door when you are loading and unloading you are required to set the spring brake.
Different districts around the state were having a lot of repetitive stress injuries that were identified as being caused by having the pull and push the spring brake control.
The extra trigger-looking thingie makes it easier to push and pull the knob.
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