| Author | Message | ||
| PAUL Blazier (Busn_gramps)
Registered Member Username: Busn_gramps Post Number: 4 Registered: 8-2007 Posted From: 69.4.97.225 Rating: N/A |
I saw on the news last night that a Greyhound Bus burned to the ground on I 94 near Black River Falls,WI.They said 45 passengers and the driver got off with no injeries but the bus was a total loss.The fire started in the rear and they do not know what started it yet. | ||
| Gary Seay (Gdude)
Registered Member Username: Gdude Post Number: 23 Registered: 6-2010 Posted From: 209.112.145.38  Rating: N/A |
Being it is a passenger bus it probably didn't have a lot of things in the back to start fire but the engine and brakes. My guess would probably be hung brakes. Need to check them every day in my book. Gary | ||
| Dave Walker (Chrome_dome)
Registered Member Username: Chrome_dome Post Number: 165 Registered: 3-2010 Posted From: 67.174.144.159  Rating: N/A |
Ok how would one check the brakes every day without jacking and propping up the jacking points etc and crawling under there? Dave | ||
| Gary Seay (Gdude)
Registered Member Username: Gdude Post Number: 24 Registered: 6-2010 Posted From: 209.112.145.38 Rating: N/A |
Our buses are probably not as crucial because we don't drive as much as commercial bus. But mine has leveling jacks that will lift the bus enough to put blocks under the tires. I chalk the front tires so I can relieve the brakes. I also have blocks cut to fit between the chassis and the suspension just in case the air bags fail. " can't be to safe " this is just to inspect and adjust the rear. The front there is enough room on the mc6 to just turn the wheel and check. When I was driving truck we would check the brakes every day, and commercial bus should to. They probably have a shop with a pit or a lift. Just my thoughts, Gary | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 1188 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 74.162.82.173  Rating: N/A |
$10 says it was a flat on the inner of a dual. | ||
| Gary Seay (Gdude)
Registered Member Username: Gdude Post Number: 26 Registered: 6-2010 Posted From: 216.67.52.32 Rating: N/A |
I think I'll keep my $10 Your probably right. Guess we'll have to carry a hammer and beat on the tire every now and then. | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 1190 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 74.162.82.173 Rating: N/A |
I had three extinguishers on board. 2 were powder, and one BIG one with CO2. Tire fires are tough to put out! I never got that far, but I was planning on a garden hose connected to the fresh water tank, just for an emergency like that.... Oh well, ^%$* happens. | ||
| Gary Seay (Gdude)
Registered Member Username: Gdude Post Number: 27 Registered: 6-2010 Posted From: 216.67.52.32 Rating: N/A |
Another nice thing to have as a possible preventive is the tire pressure monitor. I have one in my bus, but I still beat on the tires. Guess it's just habit. I'm sure if you get one burning it would be hard to put out. Tires work good for starting stump piles on fire. But I don't do that!! Gary | ||
| larry currier (Larryc)
Registered Member Username: Larryc Post Number: 342 Registered: 2-2007 Posted From: 207.200.116.13 Rating: N/A |
Hi Dave, The check for dragging brakes is easy. DD3's won't hang and burn a bus and that is why DOT mandited them for many years in passenger service. So this applys to spring brakes only. Rubber diaphragms and air are used to pull the spring and shoes back, releasing the brakes. When a diaphram wears it will get a small hole in it and begin leaking the air off that is designed to keep the spring released. The brakes will apply gently and only a seasoned driver will catch a leaker before the unit is driven and the drums are turned cherry red.(If you do that, your bus is gone). If you stop and smell brakes and have not been off the Grapevine you need to do some checking before you roll any farther because the fire is going to be next. The check I use is simply for air loss. When the unit is topped off with air and the brakes released, if the rear tanks are slowly loosing air pressure I know I have to block the bus and inspect both emergency air cans with the air system charged and the brakes released to find the leaker. (bus will roll freely) If you have a leaker, you must fix it on the spot, or you burn. | ||
| Dave Walker (Chrome_dome)
Registered Member Username: Chrome_dome Post Number: 168 Registered: 3-2010 Posted From: 67.174.144.159 Rating: N/A |
Thanks Larry for the explanation. So DD3's don't have that problem. I had been under as I had blocked it up and checked all brake according to Da-Book and check for air leaks etc. Took inventory of any hoses that will need replacing etc. I thought if I have to do this every day I would sell the bus LOL. I thought there has to be a better way. Dave |