What kind of brakes should your bus have? Be prepared for icy roads

Winter driving can be extremely hazardous due to snow and ice. If you are planning to drive a bus on snowy or icy roads, proper preparation is essential. In normal conditions most tires are perfectly safe. When driving your bus on roads covered with ice or snow, however, they may not be able to provide the necessary traction. That is why you should always have chains available. Tire chains can grip the road through ice and snow much better than just tires. In addition to tires and chains that are in good working order, having the right kind of brakes is imperative. What kind of brakes should your bus have to be prepared for driving on icy winter roads?

Davey Coach proudly represents a select line of manufacturers that supply specialty bus parts designed to enhance the performance and user experience of buses and coaches throughout the industry. This includes driveline braking systems designed specifically for buses and coaches. Driveline braking systems have a unique combination of functionality, safety, and value advantages. These systems utilize resistance against the vehicle’s drive shaft to supplement and sometimes even replace service braking during operation. Each system has a unique approach to performing this task, and there are different advantages to each.

1. D-Brake Bus Driveline Brakes. Telma Bus Driveline Brakes are a new driveline brake (also known as a driveline retarder) which provides supplemental braking for your truck, bus, or RV. The Telma Driveline Retarder is a liquid-cooled disc braking system, mounted in the driveline at the rear of the transmission. This system easily installs directly against the rear of the transmission, meaning little-to-no additional hardware is needed to mount the system, and, in many cases, no driveshaft modifications are necessary. This system is also easy to operate and service, and the Telma Retarder utilizes your engine’s coolant to cool its internal brake disc and pads while you decelerate, helping to maintain a more continuous engine temperature, especially during stop and go traffic.
2. KLAM Magnetic Retarder System. This braking system uses an electromagnetic rotor which creates resistance against the motion of the drive shaft, slowing the vehicle without the use of standard service brakes. The major advantage to the KLAM magnetic retarder for sale at Davey Coach lies in the fact that magnetic resistance is being used to create a counter-force. Because no friction is created, normal wear and tear associated with moving mechanical parts and systems can be avoided. KLAM magnetic retarders also provide brake cruise, which is a “down-hill cruise control” that assists in automatically controlling a vehicle’s speed during long decent, low speed switch off.
3. Lightning Lightning Hybrids Hydraulic Driveline System. This is an especially unique and versatile system that offers not only a hybrid acceleration energy source, but also a driveline braking benefit. The hydraulic hybrid retrofit applies a hydraulic system to the vehicle driveline to regenerate braking energy. Hydraulic pumps and a lightweight accumulator store braking energy, and upon acceleration, the pumps become motors which use the stored energy in the accumulator to provide torque to power the wheels. Braking gains are achieved by providing resistance to the drive shaft during the braking process to supplement the standard service brakes, which in turn increases brake life and efficiency during operation.

For more information on the best braking system for your bus, or to speak to someone about any other specific bus needs you may have, please contact us at (303) 683-9500 or toll free at (800) 873-1856, or email us at info@daveycoach.com.