| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
largebus
Advanced Member
USA
468 Posts |
 Posted - 10/06/2001 : 1:30:49 PM
|
Many transit buses and motorcoaches have the ability to "kneel"-first of all what exactly is kneeling and second, how many-if any-school buses have it?
"Getting them there is half the battle" |
|
|
Steven A.Rosenow
Top Member
USA
1926 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2001 : 2:14:37 PM
|
Kneeling is where the front of the bus. and its suspension, is linked to hydralic rams that raise and lower the front end of the bus to curb-side level. In some cases, like the Gillig Phantom, the stepwell does the kneeling, and also acts as a sort of wheelchair lift. I've seen it in action on a Phantom before, and its pretty neat.
One of Gillig's buses - the Advantage - takes away the need to kneel, because the entire floor is at curbside level. The bus has no stepwell at all.
As far as school buses go, I don't know if any schoolies have that feature.
"Preserving America's best - THE GILLIG! - THE BEST NEVER REST" http://www.geocities.com/gilligcoaches/ |
 |
|
|
BusDiva
Top Member
USA
609 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2001 : 5:31:59 PM
|
Hey Largebus!
Many of your modern Motor Coaches have this newer feature.
Prevost, MCI, Mercedes, NeoPlan and most everyone now offers this item.
On the Prevosts, the air bellow from the air ride suspension releases air regulated by the driver switch to allow the coach to lower to the ground.
Currently, No school buses I understand have this option from research I have done but it is being looked at.
|
|
|
|
Phil4747
Top Member
USA
695 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2001 : 5:54:29 PM
|
Most of the kneel featurs I've seen have involved air suspension, and you get this incredibly loud hissing noise when it happens. It lowers the front steps to a level much closer to the ground, but allows you to have the front end higher during normal travel to avoid bottoming out.
It would be a good idea on a school bus, especially for pre-k and elementary, but it's just one more thing that would cost money, and it's not really necessary.
—Phil
"It's the same way some people are obsessed with cars. I'm just weird." |
|
|
|
VanHool21
Senior Member
USA
52 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2001 : 8:02:41 PM
|
The bus I currently drive for a tour operator has this feature.It is a 1998 VanHool and not only will the bus Kneel,I can raise the bus and lower it about 3 inches each way.This is a nice feature when you are going through tunnels or underpasses.Also,some dips in parking lots require the bus to be raised so it won't drag on the pavement.
The VanHool will kneel 3 inches in about 15 seconds and will automaticly return to normal when the bus exceeds 30 mph if you forget to return it to normal.It is an expensive option and I doubt we will see it on any school buses soon....but it would be nice.
|
|
|
|
Jared
Top Member
USA
1865 Posts |
Posted - 10/07/2001 : 08:57:11 AM
|
In the transit industry, picking up passengers has to be a much quicker task then in the school bus industry. Moving the HC lift to the front door just makes it faster and easier , the driver doesnt have to get out of the bus like school bus drivers do.
|
|
|
|
Deano2002
New Member
1 Posts |
Posted - 11/03/2017 : 1:28:08 PM
|
| The Bluebird All American FE and RE include the kneeling feature as an option for there new buses. |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Kneeling Buses
