BCM Community

Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: BC Bus on November 21, 2011, 12:21:08 PM

Title: Stone Bennett rebuild ? or replace
Post by: BC Bus on November 21, 2011, 12:21:08 PM
My air operated Stone Bennett has slowly quit working and I know why.  It filled up with water and gray sludgy crap from the air tank and now the plunger can hardly be moved, even by hand.

Mine is on  A V730 and it is old so I think it is a model 654

Has anyone ever had on of these units apart and do you think it is possible to tear it down and clean it up.

Any personal experience would be appreciated.

or does anyone just have the shifter unit for sale used and cheap ?

Bill
Title: Re: Stone Bennett rebuild ? or replace
Post by: luvrbus on November 21, 2011, 12:40:43 PM
Clean it out not hard to do anyone body can do it you can download a manual for free

good luck
Title: Re: Stone Bennett rebuild ? or replace
Post by: scenicruiser997 on November 21, 2011, 12:46:05 PM
Mine is starting to do the same.  I have to manually put it into drive.  It will downshift to neutral and reverse, but will not push out the cylinder back to neutral or drive.  I am thinking it's either the down sequence relay or a dirty air cylinder. As soon as I can get mine back to my shop, I'm going to tear the cylinder down and clean it, after checking the relay. Good luck
Title: Re: Stone Bennett rebuild ? or replace
Post by: gus on November 21, 2011, 05:35:38 PM
Will you two guys please let us know the results of your cleaning attempts.

I've never had mine apart but due to its very low location I can see it can get really dirty from all the oil running down over it and the highway dirt from the rear tires.

The main problem I've had is the two tiny wires to the solenoid loosening and making shifting erratic. It is really tight getting to them and the screws holding them are tiny, a real pain to get to.

These are not complicated things so I assume taking them apart and cleaning is not rocket science. Of course I've never done it so that makes me an expert!!
Title: Re: Stone Bennett rebuild ? or replace
Post by: travlinman on November 21, 2011, 07:12:38 PM
Bill,

After you get it cleaned up check your governor setting. Mine was having trouble on the upshifts and just by luck when I replaced my governor and reset it for 120psi my shifter started working well again. Before that my air system would only build to 110psi.

TM
Title: Re: Stone Bennett rebuild ? or replace
Post by: Oonrahnjay on November 21, 2011, 08:14:45 PM
Quote from: travlinman on November 21, 2011, 07:12:38 PMAfter you get it cleaned up check your governor setting. Mine was having trouble on the upshifts and just by luck when I replaced my governor and reset it for 120psi my shifter started working well again. Before that my air system would only build to 110psi.
TM

    Do they work on full air pressure?  (my trans shifter has a 90 PSI limiting device - but my bus is very diffferent from one with a Stone-Bennett shifter).
Title: Re: Stone Bennett rebuild ? or replace
Post by: Iver on November 21, 2011, 08:38:42 PM
Just as Clifford says, it is pretty simple. Just follow the manual.
I took mine apart just to see how it worked.   Make sure the air line fittings go back to the same position.
        Iver.
Title: Re: Stone Bennett rebuild ? or replace
Post by: BC Bus on November 22, 2011, 06:46:40 AM
Do I need to order a gasket kit ahead of time ? 

Yes I have lots of air pressure !
Title: Re: Stone Bennett rebuild ? or replace
Post by: scenicruiser997 on November 22, 2011, 08:19:29 AM
Does anyone have a manual for this shifter that they can email?  Thanks Aaron
Title: Re: Stone Bennett rebuild ? or replace
Post by: kingfa39 on November 22, 2011, 09:15:42 AM
I have had mine apart several times, it is simple just take it apart and clean it up, i lightly grease it and it works fine till it gets al full of the nasty air again, i think a inline air filter might help. i do not have the manuel anymore, i gave it to the new owner along with the bus but it is no big deal to do, also watch for lost motion outside where the linkage is located. you can find diagrams online
Frank allen
Title: Re: Stone Bennett rebuild ? or replace
Post by: JLL on November 22, 2011, 01:15:25 PM
I took my stone B apart and back together with no trouble.   I bought new parts from a company in San Bernadino  Calif. I  talked to a fellow named Donnie  he was very help and sent all the parts to over haul it. Very Inexpensive.  Their # is 800-527- 1637.  This is a easy job.
Mine is on a 4106 with a 730 trans.

Good luck
]LL


Title: Re: Stone Bennett rebuild ? or replace
Post by: BC Bus on November 22, 2011, 02:26:27 PM
JL,

Was the company in San Berdoo called  United Transmission ?
Title: Re: Stone Bennett rebuild ? or replace
Post by: JLL on November 23, 2011, 09:26:41 AM
'I can't remember if United Transmission was the name . I guess i'm having a senior moment.
JLL
Title: Re: Stone Bennett rebuild ? or replace
Post by: luvrbus on November 23, 2011, 10:19:06 AM
Donnie works for United

good luck
Title: Re: Stone Bennett rebuild ? or replace
Post by: Bill B /bus on November 23, 2011, 12:09:46 PM
You "should" have an air filter on the air supply line. Air pressure is variable. Mine is set for about 80 PSIG. Donnie at United rebuilt the SB for a 6 position system. I needed the 6th position for low range. 

Another thought is to clean up the air system. If there is oil coming through then its a reminder that a compressor rebuild is due. If water alone or with oil then check your air dryer. If no air dryer then go to the junk yard and pick one for installation. For those in the cold country make sure the heater works for the blowdown valve.  On the Buffalo it took a rebuilt compressor and an air dryer to stop the moisture and oil. With those installed the daily drain of the wet tank had almost nothing to drain.

Bill
Title: Re: Stone Bennett rebuild ? or replace
Post by: BC Bus on November 28, 2011, 12:06:23 PM
Bill,

You are right about adding the dryer. 

For now I have the S. Bennett apart and it was pretty rusty inside so I had to order parts.  One of the springs was rusted and broken in two pieces. 

I have added a small accumulator tank now, right before the  shifter and it will be easy to drain.

Thanks for the help,

Bill

Title: Re: Stone Bennett rebuild ? or replace
Post by: Len Silva on November 28, 2011, 01:30:25 PM
United Transmission Exchange
24147 6th St
San Bernardino, CA 92410
800-527-1637
Title: Re: Stone Bennett rebuild ? or replace
Post by: DennisDenison on January 20, 2020, 01:44:09 PM
It seems that I am having the same issues with my shifter. Where can I find a manual online?  I have a 4106 with a V730. Thanks!
Title: Re: Stone Bennett rebuild ? or replace
Post by: TomC on January 21, 2020, 09:14:06 AM
I have a 40ft bus with V730, and cable shifter. Granted it has a bit of play in it, but it works every time and in 27 years, zero problems. Good Luck, TomC
Title: Re: Stone Bennett rebuild ? or replace
Post by: kyle4501 on January 22, 2020, 06:56:29 PM
T. Anderson

T. H. Anderson Pump Co., Inc.

(800) 594-7867


T was very generous with his time on the phone guiding me thru the process of diagnosing and repairing mine.
He emailed me plenty of drawings pertaining to my shifter.
They shipped out the parts in a quick manner too.
Title: Re: Stone Bennett rebuild ? or replace
Post by: DennisDenison on January 25, 2020, 09:23:59 AM
Would someone point me in the right direction to download a manual for a Stone Bennett please.  I just purchased a 4106 and the shifter does not work very well. Going to start working on it Monday. Also have an airbag coming from Luke that I need to install.
Title: Re: Stone Bennett rebuild ? or replace
Post by: buswarrior on January 25, 2020, 11:29:27 AM
"Download" was some sort of septic tank maintenance job when Stone Bennet was being made...

Scanned copies perhaps...

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
Title: Re: Stone Bennett rebuild ? or replace
Post by: kyle4501 on January 26, 2020, 09:45:48 AM
Quote from: DennisDenison on January 25, 2020, 09:23:59 AM
Would someone point me in the right direction to download a manual for a Stone Bennett please. 

I did,

T Anderson asked me enough questions to know what parts/ sections of the manual to email me. He was very prompt AND he had any & all of the parts I needed in stock.
Title: Re: Stone Bennett rebuild ? or replace
Post by: luvrbus on January 26, 2020, 10:38:13 AM
You need to determine which Stone/Bennett you have 1st they have a hydraulic and the air shifter and a dozen different models