DOT ball valves for air - where to get?

[belfert]

I can't seem to find any DOT stamped ball valves for use as a shutoff valve on my air system.  Any ideas where I can get one in 1/2" NPT?  I looked through the Parker and Eaton air catalogs and didn't find anything.

I am planning to add a high volume air outlet to power a 1" impact from the bus air system.  I want to get air from as close to the dryer as possible, but I also don't want to an air system failure by not having shutoff valve.  The best would be something that is locking.

[luvrbus]

Milton sell air valves I don't about DOT approved,buses use a lot of Norgren and I never saw a DOT sticker on 1 of those .I have a manual Norgren on mine similar to a parking brake valve silly thing was over 50 bucks.SMC makes a good air valve also, I think for a DOT valve you probably will need to go with a gladhand valve from a truck supply   

[chessie4905]

1/2 inch airline quick disconnect. use a plumbing  90 degree shut of before it. That way, you can shut off air, then drain pressure off beore disconnecting hose. If it is still under pressure whe you disconnect hose, better wear a hard hat.

[luvrbus]

I would buy a 1/2 inch high torque air impact a bus system will not run a 1in impact except in short cycles 

[belfert]

What high torque air impact do you recommend?

I already have a 1" impact I bought last year and I can't afford to replace it right now.  I realize it will be slow, but better than changing a tire with hand tools like we did last year.  I'm hoping I go another ten years without a tire issue on the road. 

I have a 3/4" impact I bought a few years back, but it wouldn't even budge a lug nut on my bus.  I used a 1/2" air hose, but the compressor only had a 1/4" discharge port even though it was 12 CFM.

[belfert]

I am under the impression that any fittings and valves connected to the air system on a vehicle need to have the DOT stamp to be legal.  Is this not correct for something like a ball valve?  I can get good quality plumbing ball valves in lots of places.

[eagle19952]

I am under the impression that any fittings and valves connected to the air system on a vehicle need to have the DOT stamp to be legal.  Is this not correct for something like a ball valve?  I can get good quality plumbing ball valves in lots of places.

a 1 inch gun needs a 1 inch hose.

a 4 foot cheater pipe a jack stand and a good 1/2 gun will be faster than waiting on air...

need a torque wrench any ways...

[buswarrior]

Many years ago now, someone had bought a new 1/2 inch air gun and demonstrated it at Arcadia?

I remember "TNT" by Ingersoll Rand as the marketing name.

Nobody believed until we went out to a coach and started hammering lug nuts off...

Unobstructed big capacity airline is critical between tank and gun, to get advertised power from any impact wrench. Beware tiny orifices somewhere in between...

The power is in air volume.

Happy coaching!
Buswarior

[sledhead]

I have a 1" air gun and if I do not use at least 3/4" hose it takes forever to remove tire nuts . so I went back to old school and got a 48" torque wrench and made a ladder out of plywood to hold it up so I can do it all myself  

works easy and I can torque the nuts my self



https://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/3-4-in-dr-click-type-torque-wrench/A-p8654022e

just make sure that it torques in reverse

I got mine on sale for $ 299.00

Dave

[luvrbus]

I ordered a 1/2 drive Nitro Cat made by Air Cat which I have in a 3/4 drive that I have owned for years the 3/4 drive has always been enough to remove lug nuts,the 1/2 drive is supposed to have more torque than my old 3/4 drive we will see  .My I/R 1 inch just lays around in my way I haven't used it in years 

[belfert]

I think I'm going to give up on the whole idea and just wait the three or four hours for a tire guy.  Last year we were able to use hand tools and change a tire before the tire guy showed up.  I have a 90 to 1 torque multiplier that worked, but it bent several of the Budd nuts.  I also have a 600 ft lb Tireman torque wrench for tighten the nuts.

I don't know how the Nitrocat could remove a lug nut with only 900 ft lbs of torque.  I have a Makita battery 3/4" impact that has 1,250 ft lbs that won't even budge one of my lug nuts.  I also have the issue of left hand nuts and most impacts have less torque in the forward direction.

[Bill Gerrie]

I bought a 3/4" air impact wrench from Princes Auto that had 1200 ft lbs of torque. It is a Pro Point 8306060 for $299.99. It is heavy but amazing torque.

[kyle4501]

Get a portable air tank with a large outlet - connect it to the bus with a 3/8" air hose. Connect it to the impact gun with a 1" air line. Good for short bursts only, but will provide full power for a short burst.

[chessie4905]

use good 1" impact with proper size impact socket. no adapters or extensions. Try to get an extended impact socket instead if you need the reach.Every extra item reduces maximum torque developed. Worn sockets with sloppy fit also reduce availble torque.
If you bent studs getting wheels off, you need to develop a system to keep torque multiplier square and level with each stud. a jack stand or whatever. Get lug nuts STARTED to move before jacking wheel. Avoids minor flexing of wheel, uness brakes are applied. The big wrench should be used to get the lug nut starting to move. Switxh to good electric or 1/2 inch air to finish. Same with installation. I"ll use a torque stick to finish, but to each his own.

[belfert]

I didn't bend the studs.  Some of the Budd nuts on the duals got bent.  I stopped at a Love's truck stop to get my unmounted spare (had two spares this trip) mounted and some of the Budd nuts came off and the lug nuts didn't.  I think they had to cut the Budd nuts due to being bent.