The 3rd wheel | What is a tag axle??

The 3rd wheel on the Motor coach. It just tags along. In this video describe the purpose and function of the Tag axle and why some buses have them and some buses don't

Checkout Heavy Metal Mechanic's YouTube Channel

Link to Axle Weight limitations Website

Clips used from other YouTube videos:
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Prevost H3-45 lifting tag axle from Bus Chaser USA

[lukerinderknecht]

I have no idea why YouTube suggested this to me. I'm not into motorcoaches or busses whatsoever, but I'm digging this video's style. Good storytelling, humility, informative, well edited, and even some Star Trek references? I'll sub for that 👍

[robrobrobrobify]

This is cool. I'm not interested in buses at all, but accidentally came across this video, and I really enjoyed it. Cheers!

[JHMBB]

"As Chinese as I am, I don’t really want to turn this into a math lesson" I literally laughed out loud. Great video about something I never knew I’d be interested in!

[rturpening]

I can't imagine a possible situation where this would be necessary, but I would trust this guy's knowledge of buses with my life.

[EmoFox]

I never though i would get jumpscared by a bus video

[norbertdx]

While stationed in Mannheim, Germany I often drove a Mercedes Benz O303. That was my baby of buses.

[prevost]

I drove an old Eagle coach and it was definitely like driving on the end of a diving board. Coupled with the fact that it was very difficult to find replacement torsalastic suspension parts made them a handful. I run a Prevost now and I like the liftable tag axle.

[RipRoaringGarage]

Great video, and thanks for the shoutout! This was the first time I ever chatted in the premier chat section, and it was fun! Great video. Was happy I could tag along!

[micaw]

I just started operating coach buses this year, and really finding your videos informative and helpful. A lot of 2hat you explained in this video for example, are topics which weren't explained during my training. Thank you much, and keep up the great work.

[MoultrieGeek]

Never in my life did I think I'd be interested in buses and motor coachs. I just subscribed so obviously I am. Love your style and the cheesy Star Trek references are right up my alley. Thank you YouTube algorithms.

[edsegar]

In the trucking industry an extra axel behind the drivers is called a tag, if it’s in front of the drivers it’s called a pusher.

[genxpointofview]

Very clear information from a 5Ton truck driver view

[paullee]

tag axle meant a Coach back in the late 1970, s in Australia ....When waiting at the high school bus stop during the early years of going to high school, we often would get a old worn out bus that could just make it up a slight up hill I had a great Admiration when a Denning coach start appear more and more at the a good looking, powerful and super smooth riding coach...it had the tag axle at the back with outie wheel disc

[scootersfrog]

Peoria Charter is a great bus company had the pleasure of riding them multiple times ..

[spugintrntl]

Finding this video is like walking into the wrong room at a convention to discover a panel you had no idea existed, and then sticking around because it's actually pretty interesting even though you have little to no context to what's going on.

[paulkahr]

You are funny sometimes GOOD Keep it UP. Thanks

[David-xijj]

There are two different types of trailing axles: the tag axle that lifts off the ground and the trailing axle that does not lift off the ground. Prevost has a tag axle; MCI stayed with the trailing axle.
While it's true the Prevost can lift the axle off the ground to put more weight onto the drive axle, just dumping the air out of the trailing axle's air-bags will also put more weight onto the drive wheels. The weight of the rear axle is around 1, 500 lb so it doesn't make all that much difference. Where the difference is, is in the wear and tear on the bearings and bushings that are exposed to a great deal of side-force with the twisting action when turning sharply.
Up here in Canada, the biggest advantage that I found was that the rear of the bus is very steady on ice. It was almost impossible to make the rear slide sideways, even when I attempted to puposely make it break free in a corner on ice. At high speeds, in curves on ice, the front end would slide long before the rear slid. (naturally I did all this with no passengers on board)
-Retired bus driver

[pgbaines]

As an HGV driver in the UK we a lot of 6 axle trucks 3 on the drive unit and 3 on the trailer. All the 3 axle units can lift the tag and some trailers the third wheel this can increase grip on the remaining tyres and reduce wear. 👍🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🤠

[Adenzel]

It's funny that you bring up your 5 year old self so often when talking about your obsession with buses. When I was 5 my dream job was to be a bus driver, and now at almost 45 years old I'm about to start a job as a bus driver and I'm so excited for it =D

[nes]

Purely stopped by because of the Peoria Charter Co. I used to work in the old Peoria Charter Building.