Veteran School Bus driver has a question about air brakes

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by JoNana, Nov 15, 2012.

  1. JoNana

    JoNana Bobtail Member

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    Nov 15, 2012
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    I can see your point, 'olhand...my dad was a logger and a long hauler, and I can remember running to where he parked when we heard him coming. I was there for more shut downs than I can remember, but he never pumped out his service brakes. Drained his air tank, yes...in fact, I did that a lot as a child. Our mechanic was a mechanic for 6 years...prior to that, he was not. I appreciate your $.02...worth at least a nickel to me.:biggrin_25514:
     
    'olhand Thanks this.
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  3. Pmracing

    Pmracing Road Train Member

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    It it not against theft. The bus would need to be running to drive it away, and then the air chambers would quickly refill.

    It was to guard against hooligans messing around, doing vandalism etc.

    Mikeeee
     
  4. stillayoungman

    stillayoungman Light Load Member

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    Some of the International conventional buses do not have manual air tank drains. The one I drive does not. I drain the air by holding the yellow parking brake valve halfway in and it drains it down in about 45 seconds.
     
  5. 123456

    123456 Road Train Member

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    Does company policy always have to make sense ???
     
  6. Xcis

    Xcis Medium Load Member

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    When you do a complete air brake check, the parking brake valve does not pop out if there is an excessive amount of water in the air tank. Common problem where I work because of our blessed drivers. For those that do not drain at least some of the air/water from your tanks periodically, the accumulated water displaces/reduces your air volume not the air pressure in the tank. Running out of air pressure and the brakes do not engage is not good.
     
  7. Quickfarms

    Quickfarms Heavy Load Member

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    Los Angeles, Ca
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    Do they like listening to the low air buzzer?

    If they run out of air the spring brake will wake them up.
     
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