Lifting & Supporting the Bus

peterbylt · May 03, 2019, 02:06:52 PM

I use Cribbing, I have a stack of pressure treated 4x4x36 that I stack to support the bus.

I got the idea to use the Cribbing after watching a FEMA video about supporting damaged structures.

My usual method is to get the bus completely aired up, drive it up on the ramps and then crib it up under the jacking points and let it settle down on the cribbing.

The first time I did this, I was nervous about crawling under 26,000 pounds, so I let it sit for two days just to make sure before going under.

The one time I was not able to drive it up on the ramps, was when the air drier purge valve failed, and I could not get enough air pressure to release the brakes.
I used the 20-ton bottle jack and slowly jacked the bus up cribbing and jacking in stages until I was able to get under.

I was able to put 2 of the 4x4 side by side under the bottle jack to support it while jacking it higher, this could make a base for you to jack on.

Getting the bus up to work under usually takes me a few hours, I usually get it jacked up and cribbed on one day then do the work the next.

I keep the 4x4's stacked in one of the luggage bays, they come in useful for many things including leveling the bus in uneven campsites.

Peter

chessie4905 · May 03, 2019, 04:18:14 PM

Pit!

Oonrahnjay · May 03, 2019, 04:36:05 PM

Quote from: chessie4905 on May 03, 2019, 04:18:14 PMPit!

You beat me to it.

lostagain · May 03, 2019, 05:22:17 PM

A few hours !? I drive my bus on 2 by lumber, then support the body with lumber stacked under the jack points. Takes me about 15 minutes max. Then I am rolling under with a creeper to do service.

JC

DoubleEagle · May 03, 2019, 06:07:38 PM

Quote from: peterbylt on May 03, 2019, 02:06:52 PM

I use Cribbing, I have a stack of pressure treated 4x4x36 that I stack to support the bus.

Your 4 X 4 stack makes me nervous, sad to say. Those are Treated Southern Pine, which are not particularly strong, especially with big knots in the middle of a span. I use 6 X 6 Treated, and I put them closer together when I use them. For the heaviest load I use pin style steel jack stands rated for 22 tons. The steel stands give you more working room, and have a welded-in platform base.

GnarlyBus · May 03, 2019, 06:14:16 PM

Quote from: DoubleEagle on May 03, 2019, 06:07:38 PM
For the heaviest load I use pin style steel jack stands rated for 22 tons. The steel stands give you more working room, and have a welded-in platform base.

Ever use them on asphalt or dirt/gravel?

DoubleEagle · May 03, 2019, 06:24:04 PM

On both, the base is very substantial. If I was on soft ground, I would add some thick plywood. Most of the time they are good by themselves. These are the ones I have: https://www.otctools.com/products/22-ton-capacity-jack-stands

GnarlyBus · May 03, 2019, 06:30:13 PM

Thank you! That's the info i was looking for. I think I'll go with those and make the double thick Baltic birch 1.5" pads for them as a precaution and prolly add some 4x4 cribbing as a precaution. Plus I'll leave the jacks under the jacking points tight.

Where's the best place for jack stands? Under the air bag beams or under the frame from that cribbed pic? I've attached a pic of the two spots being used i found on buses101.

DoubleEagle · May 03, 2019, 06:35:01 PM

Can't help you there, all I have are Eagles. When it comes to air bags, all I know is that they can suddenly deflate, so you have to be under something solid and appropriate. The MCI manuals should cover it.

GnarlyBus · May 03, 2019, 07:41:52 PM

I made some body blocks for the bump stops this week. Painted them yellow and am attaching rope handles.

buswarrior · May 04, 2019, 05:30:41 AM

Quote from: GnarlyBus on May 03, 2019, 07:41:52 PM
I made some body blocks for the bump stops this week. Painted them yellow and am attaching rope handles.

That is exactly what Big Transit uses here.

Looks great.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

Jim Blackwood · May 04, 2019, 05:35:40 AM

Those look like an exceptionally good idea. Something I'll have to keep in mind.

Jim

lostagain · May 04, 2019, 06:47:32 AM

I found that they are awkward to use. You have to crawl under the bus to put them on and off, while the bus is unsupported. I also have forgotten that they were there, and driven away... I prefer a stack of lumber I keep in the shop for under the jack points.

JC

edvanland · May 04, 2019, 09:03:10 AM

strap handles on both sides of the wooden ramps, makes it a lot easier to get out

GnarlyBus · May 04, 2019, 10:55:47 AM

Quote from: buswarrior on May 04, 2019, 05:30:41 AM
That is exactly what Big Transit uses here.

I actually got the idea from you in an old thread. I remember the first time i heard about it i couldn't understand where the 4x4 was supposed to go until i saw this photo you posted. I'll add it to this thread for the next confused newbie.