| Author | Message | ||
| Bruce Henderson (Oonrahnjay)
Registered Member Username: Oonrahnjay Post Number: 401 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 70.60.107.86  Rating: N/A |
I have read on here about an "air chuck" on a bus system to allow a tow truck to connect to a disabled bus, air up the system, and release the air brakes. I was in a shop today and there were 4 "standard" fittings; A, B, C, & D. Which of these should be used to match what the tow trucks typically have? | ||
| Jim Wallin (Powderseeker01)
Registered Member Username: Powderseeker01 Post Number: 14 Registered: 10-2008 Posted From: 71.212.212.16  Rating: N/A |
I have a standars air compressor hose fitting on mine. I am able to use my electric compressor to air the bus from shore power or generator. Works great. | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Registered Member Username: Jackconrad Post Number: 1034 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 71.3.157.139  Rating: N/A |
I think most wreckers carry at least 1 of each. I use one of the the shorter styles, but I don't remember the style letter designation. I have this same fitting throughout my shop, (all compressors, as well as our bus and toad brake connection). I have used this style fitting to fill several visiting buses when checking for air leaks. Jack (Message edited by JackConrad on May 01, 2009) | ||
| Bruce Henderson (Oonrahnjay)
Registered Member Username: Oonrahnjay Post Number: 402 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 70.60.107.86 Rating: N/A |
Jim Wallin wrote "I have a standars air compressor hose fitting on mine." Yes, but which of the standards is "standard"? Although I'm glad to hear that tow trucks carry all/many of the fittings. Maybe I'm over-thinking this. | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Registered Member Username: Jackconrad Post Number: 1036 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 71.3.157.139 Rating: N/A |
Thinking more about this (yeah, this can be dangerous), I always purchase Milton brand air fittings, tire quages, etc. I seem to recall a large letter "M" on each air quick connect fitting package for the style I use. Unfortanately, I don't have any still in the package to confirm this. | ||
| Ralph Peters (Ralph7)
Registered Member Username: Ralph7 Post Number: 5 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 66.59.120.99 Rating: N/A |
On MCI/TMC in front lelt acess door DD brake release schrader(looks like tire valve stem) also in right rear,near engine is schrade valve to air up bus. Best to do is make certain you have a schrader to air up the coach. You use a air up chuck with a self hold clip. Trucks use one schrader, if it is not on there tow driver will need to install one. | ||
| Chuck Newman (Chuck_newman)
Registered Member Username: Chuck_newman Post Number: 336 Registered: 1-2005 Posted From: 99.0.41.3  Rating: N/A |
Bruce, Like Jack, I have standardized all tools and two bus air fittings with quick disconnects. Basically, since 1980 I have only seen five types, none have the designation you mention: The schrader fitting Ralph mentioned. And two quick disconnects, one commonly labeled on the box (not on the tool) "automotive" type and the other "industrial" type. These are 1/4" NPT. The last two are identical except they are 3/8" NPT. I think A,B,C,D was merely a "standard" designator for that shop. And that make's sense because the "industrial" and "automotive" quick disconnects look identical on the outside, and have only a slight mechanical difference on the inside. But they are not interchangeable. I'm going to have an on-board air compressor also, but you bring up a good point. Considering the schrader is universal in the tire/tow industries, I think it be a safe bet any wrecker would have that and others. So now I now will make up a quick disconnect-to-schrader valve (male) adapter. Just in case. | ||
| Don Evans (Doninwa)
Registered Member Username: Doninwa Post Number: 199 Registered: 1-2007 Posted From: 208.81.157.90  Rating: N/A |
The Milton "M" type is maybe the most common for home shops. https://www.miltonindustries.com/COUPLER-PLUG_ID_CHART.html Other brands use different ID systems, ie at NAPA a Milton "M" type is a "D". Don 4107 | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 1431 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.110.9  Rating: N/A |
You could rig up an adapter hose to connect from your air front tank fitting of your choice to a truck glad hand like they use between the tractor and trailer Those are standard. I don't care what type hose ends you use, everybody else's are going to be different. BTW, Napa sells a female air end that will accept more than one style of male end. I used these at home when my father's coach and tools used a different style and he didn't want to change his style and I had too many items to change to his. | ||
| Keith Wood (Ft6)
Registered Member Username: Ft6 Post Number: 112 Registered: 8-2008 Posted From: 75.208.88.77 Rating: N/A |
A glad hand with a cutoff valve works best. It is THE standard, and fills the system much faster than a tire valve. | ||
| Clint Hunter (Truthhunter)
Registered Member Username: Truthhunter Post Number: 161 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 24.129.235.190  Rating: N/A |
at $300/hour I sure ain't paying the hook truck to go get the correct fitting while he nips off to the parts store... in a pinch a screw a barbed hose connector on the lines and hose-clamp a cut hose on top. | ||
| David Guglielmetti (Daveg)
Registered Member Username: Daveg Post Number: 34 Registered: 2-2009 Posted From: 64.163.110.102  Rating: N/A |
Warning, your hose clamp method may not be DOT approved, and the tow guy might agree. | ||
| Clint Hunter (Truthhunter)
Registered Member Username: Truthhunter Post Number: 173 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 24.129.235.190 Rating: N/A |
...no it would not be DOT approved "hose-clamps" if not isolated by a shut-off-valve if used for moving the bus on public roads, I was referring to the fill hose end fitting over the barb in a pinch ; ...nore would what tow truck drivers does, come to think of it. | ||
| Cullen Newsom (Cullennewsom)
Registered Member Username: Cullennewsom Post Number: 39 Registered: 2-2009 Posted From: 129.7.53.206 Rating: N/A |
Milton "M Type" I doubt you can find an auto parts store that doesn't sell them. Nor a tow truck driver that doesn't have one. |