Jack stands

windtrader · September 03, 2018, 10:17:18 PM

BW - I was reminded the other day when I said something similar. The response was hope you are in a place where that 4" is enough clearance. Point being the buses get so low that 4 extra inches can still get you crushed. Dave put the fear of god in me too.

When I changed the filters yesterday, the bus was supported three ways. First driven onto wood ramps, then a 20 ton jack on the jacking pad with a few more inches and finally a 4x8 block on end under the axle just in case. Seems like overkill but safe.

neoneddy · September 04, 2018, 07:17:11 AM

Can't you put the blocking under the air beams? (The strong beam looking things near the wheels.)

Like others have said, wood blocking is critical. Always have a backup in place if you like living. A tire could blow, an air bag could blow / leak suddenly, a jack stand could fail. A block has no moving parts, it can still fail, and if it does and everything else failed at the same time. Well, I think you had an appointment with the final destination that is unavoidable at that point.

chessie4905 · September 04, 2018, 07:30:52 AM

On our 4104, we had about 3/8" x 6 inch or so square plates with small tabs on both sides. These tabs had 1 /4" bolts threaded into the tabs. The tabs wrapped around the bottom flange of air beam loosely so you could move fore and aft as necessary if you loosened the bolts. We always jacked on them. You had to use the low profile jack though. An air over hydraulic would work much better, since reach on jack handle and throw was limited.

luvrbus · September 04, 2018, 07:34:47 AM

Damn,just block between the body and axle and jack it up ,no need for 1/2 the forest to block a bus up ,good jack stands are not going to break the H/F s*** might

chessie4905 · September 04, 2018, 07:39:41 AM

Oh no another tree hugger.

OR install a pit.

luvrbus · September 04, 2018, 07:57:02 AM

Quote from: chessie4905 on September 04, 2018, 07:39:41 AM
Oh no another tree hugger. OR install a pit.

It's not that most people will go buy cheap pine instead of oak because of price and the pine will kill you soon or later.I'll stick with the jack stands and burn the wood in the fire place

Jim Blackwood · September 04, 2018, 09:49:47 AM

Quote from: luvrbus on September 04, 2018, 07:57:02 AM

It's not that most people will go buy cheap pine instead of oak because of price and the pine will kill you soon or later.I'll stick with the jack stands and burn the wood in the fire place

Guess that's sorta fair... somebody already killed the pine, right?

petarm1 · September 16, 2018, 06:59:26 AM

Thanks for all the suggestion. I live were trees are plentiful so blocking is not a issue.
Again thanks from petar and my 89 mci 102c3

windtrader · September 18, 2018, 10:39:57 AM

Sunex was mentioned but a bit pricey. How about these - ESCO 22 ton pin style stands, look very similar to the Sunex?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/ESCO-22-Ton-Pin-Style-Jack-Stand-10455/306368901

DoubleEagle · September 18, 2018, 06:18:43 PM

Quote from: windtrader on September 18, 2018, 10:39:57 AM
Sunex was mentioned but a bit pricey. How about these - ESCO 22 ton pin style stands, look very similar to the Sunex?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/ESCO-22-Ton-Pin-Style-Jack-Stand-10455/306368901

The ESCO is probably good enough, but I got the OTC Tools 1780 22 Ton Pair. They have continuous welds instead of stitch welds, a heavier collar, and 1" thick pin. They actually cost less at the moment, $166.99 shipped on eBay, $194.01 on Amazon shipped, for a pair. They are noticeably beefier, and they weigh more than the ESCO, and others.

luvrbus · September 18, 2018, 07:02:00 PM

Those are the short stands with only 3 adjustments and a 10x10 bottom flat plate,my Sunex are a little better than those it's 11x11 bottom plate with rolled edges so they don't dig in sliding and no stitch welding,with a larger pin and more adjustment holes all around made better.Those will work you the price is high for what you get IMO

windtrader · September 18, 2018, 08:16:36 PM

thanks clifford, same old story - mostly get what you pay for. I did notice they are low but with so little clearance underneath I figured that is what is needed but I guess if you consider jacking the full jacked up height then the taller ones are better.

What other jack stands are nuts using?

luvrbus · September 18, 2018, 08:32:32 PM

Quote from: windtrader on September 18, 2018, 08:16:36 PM
thanks clifford, same old story - mostly get what you pay for. I did notice they are low but with so little clearance underneath I figured that is what is needed but I guess if you consider jacking the full jacked up height then the taller ones are better.

What other jack stands are nuts using?

Don use good stands don't go cheap the money saved is not worth the risk

chessie4905 · September 19, 2018, 04:53:01 AM

Jack stands are great on concrete. I would not use them on ground or gravel. Rain could make them settle unevenly. Timbers would be better there.

DoubleEagle · September 19, 2018, 06:06:35 AM

Quote from: luvrbus on September 18, 2018, 07:02:00 PM
Those are the short stands with only 3 adjustments and a 10x10 bottom flat plate,my Sunex are a little better than those it's 11x11 bottom plate with rolled edges so they don't dig in sliding and no stitch welding,with a larger pin and more adjustment holes all around made better.Those will work you the price is high for what you get IMO

Cliff, which model of Sunex do you have? I looked at the Sunex 1522 which did not look as beefy as the OTC 1780 (which has a 11 X 11" base), but I did not see a Sunex with rolled edges. That would be a handy feature when moving around on gravel.