Specifications include, but are not limited to: A. FRAME All bolted construction with grade 8 flanged head bolts and nuts or equivalent. The main frame shall be a continuous section from the front of the bus to aft of the rear axle. Dimensions shall not be less than 10” x 3” x ¼” with a minimum of 50,000 PSI yield strength. Frame rails shall not be notched, tapered, or cut out for clearance of engine, engine accessories, or step-well installation, except as provided or accepted by the chassis manufacturer. B. FRONT AXLE 1. Front axle assembly shall have a minimum capacity of 13,200 pounds. 2. Front spring assembly shall have a minimum capacity 13,200 pounds. 3. Heavy duty direct acting double action shocks. 4. Parabolic tapered leaf springs. 5. Oil filled hubs with sight glass caps. C. REAR AXLE 1. Rear axle shall be of a full-floating heavy-duty type with a minimum gross rating capacity of 23,000 pounds (Combination of front and rear axles shall meet a minimum of 36,200 GVWR). 2. Rear axle shall be equipped with a NO-SPIN differential. Electronic/air traction control (ABS) in lieu of the NO-SPIN differential is acceptable, as long as the traction control is fully automatic. Driver interphase is not required. 3. Rear axle to have AIR RIDE type suspension with heavy-duty shocks. 4. Axle ratio to be stated on bid form. 5. Maximum vehicle speed to be set at 65 MPH at governed RPM 6. Rear end to be delivered with full synthetic rear end fluid. D. WHEEL BASE 1. Wheel base 273 to 277-inches. 2. Bidder to state outside wheel turning radius dimension and outside bumper clearance radius on bid form. E. BRAKES 1. Air brakes only will be accepted with drum type brakes, front and rear. These brake drums are to be outboard type drums. Rear service brake canisters shall be no less than thirty (30) square inch diaphragm chambers. Brake canisters on rear axle to be double-chambered type brake chambers connected to automatic slack adjusters. Parking brake side of double chambered canister to be thirty (30) square inch diaphragm chambers. Front axle brake canisters to be no less than twenty-four (24) square inches. Nonserviceable canisters are acceptable. S-cams to be used, no wedge or flat cam actuators allowed. Automatic slack adjusters, front. 2. Front brakes shall measure 16.5 in. x 6-inches, with premium friction block material, such as MA312, or equivalent. 3. Rear brakes to measure 16.5 in. x 8-inches minimum, with premium friction block material, such as MA312 or equivalent. 4. Parking brake system: a. Shall be manually operated. b. Shall be air applied to release. 5. Air brakes to have a dual reservoir system required by Code of Federal Regulations 49. Must meet all applicable FMVSS. 6. Air gauge to be two (2) needle type and colored to represent the two (2) systems, preferred. 7. Air system schematic and valve identification charts shall be supplied. 8. A warning device in driver's compartment of bus shall be audible to driver in case of brake malfunction or loss of air pressure. 9. Air brake system to have air dryer, Bendix AD- IP, and heated automatic reservoir drain valve, Bendix DV212 volt. 10. Anti-lock brake system (ABS) shall be full vehicle wheel control four channel ABS. System shall include Electronic Stability Control as part of the breaking system. 11. Cummins engine exhaust brake. Not to be confused with a Jake Brake.
