Can the tag steering on an E4500 be locked indefinitely ?

someguy · August 24, 2020, 08:50:16 PM

J4500 tags don't steer. The wheels are locked, like they are on a Prevost.

If I buy an E4500 and the tag steering is giving trouble, is there any reason why I couldn't lock the wheels straight ahead, like it is on a J or Prevost ?

Thanks

ktmossman · August 25, 2020, 05:45:12 AM

According to MCI, this is/was commonly done, especially with the early buggy versions.

someguy · August 25, 2020, 07:10:56 AM

Thanks for sharing that.

buswarrior · August 25, 2020, 06:01:45 PM

No... E model has active steering, not flop-along-follwers like the DL.

Sitting still, spin the steering wheel, and the coach will swing its hips when the tags turn.

And the J models have tag steering as an option for last few years.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

someguy · August 25, 2020, 06:43:45 PM

Quote from: buswarrior on August 25, 2020, 06:01:45 PM
No... E model has active steering, not flop-along-follwers like the DL.

Sitting still, spin the steering wheel, and the coach will swing its hips when the tags turn.

I can disconnect the steering system at the driver station or the tag. Would it then be safe to lock the tag wheels straight forward ?

Quote

And the J models have tag steering as an option for last few years.

Yes they do. Finally caught back up with the E models.

buswarrior · August 25, 2020, 07:42:28 PM

Doubt there is facility to lock anything?

It was designed full time active, no way to bypass, lock, or otherwise.

It works or the coach is likely not safe to drive.

It wasn't a matter of catching up, it is a matter of customer demand and that the E stayed in production. It takes $$$ to maintain that production back there, and fleets generally want no part of it, that's why the J was invented in the first place, a cheaper, simpler coach, same exterior parts.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

someguy · August 25, 2020, 08:52:00 PM

I'll fabricate something !

Jim Blackwood · August 26, 2020, 08:02:39 AM

Why do you want to lock it? It'll make the bus harder to turn and probably won't help any on the highway either.

Jim

someguy · August 26, 2020, 08:10:47 AM

A bus I'm looking at looks like it has a leak on the tag controller up by the driver's station. Just considering my options if I don't want to fix it.

I think a steerable tag is a good thing.